Public Safety
Is Safety on Public Transit Just an Indian Problem?
The case of a fatal bus rape in India, and subsequent protests, has captivated the world. But, argues Sarah Goodyear, the incident should serve as a larger reminder of the threat of violence and harassment towards women on transit systems worldwide.
Will Removal of Billboards Make L.A. Streets Safer or More Dangerous?
A recent court order demanding the removal of 100 digital signs across L.A. was seen as a victory for those who had complained about the bright, and potentially distracting, billboards. But a sign company is arguing the order will harm public safety.
Crime: Inner Cities are Beginning to Resemble Suburbs, and Vice Versa
The Economist examines how London's inner city neighborhoods are well past an inflection point in crime rates. In many cases inner city neighborhoods are now safer than suburban neighborhoods and the trend is set to continue.
In D.C., Crime Prevention Starts at the Drafting Table
What's a better way to ensure lower crime than to involve police directly in the planning process? One development in Washington, D.C. will do just that.
Civic Watch Program in D.C. Raises Privacy Concerns
What expectations for privacy should individuals have in public places? That is the question being posed by a new video surveillance system in D.C. being operated by a neighborhood association, reports Peter Hermann.
Falsified Test Results Call Into Question the Safety of California's Roads and Bridges
Charles Piller reports on the investigation into suspect safety test results for roads and bridges across CA, including the new Bay Bridge, revealing a string of troubling data for which officials and critics are holding Caltrans accountable.
New Orleans Police Agree to Federal Overhaul
After years of scandal, New Orleans accepts that the time for change has come.
How Public Protest Kept the Car From Taking Over Copenhagen and Amsterdam
Sarah Goodyear offers a brief history of urban development in postwar Europe, and tells of just how close the bicycle capitals of the West came to putting cars before people.
Does Improved Walkability Reduce Crime?
Adam Davies writes about the results of an experimental policing project in the Netherlands that seems to demonstrate that improvements to the pedestrian environment have reduced crime in Rotterdam.
Watch Your Behavior on the 'F' Train
Put you feet up on an an subway seat, and risk going to to jail. Bad behavior, sure. But criminal? In an effort to make the subway safer, NYPD is viewing even minor code violations seriously.
Widening Waistlines Weigh on Developing Cities
Cities across the developing world are dealing more with rising obesity rates as urbanization occurs, reports TheCityFix's Jonna McKone.
UK Camera Count Triples in 10 Years
The amount of closed-circuit security cameras operated by local councils in the United Kingdom has nearly tripled over the past 10 years, according to a new report.
Water Standards Out of Touch With Reality
American drinking water meets federal safety standards, but some say it's only because those standards are far too low and don't accurately reflect the potential for contamination.
Forbes Picks Safest Cities in U.S.
Forbes Magazine jumps into the fray once again with their list of "America's Safest Cities." Violent crime, workplace deaths, fatal crashes and natural disasters are all a part of the data considered.
Can Living in a Bad Neighborhood Make You Fat?
A new study of public high school students suggests a connection between obesity and feeling unsafe in one's neighborhood.
Higher Gas Prices Equals Lower Mortality?
Author Chris Steiner looks at the public health and public safety ramifications of higher gas prices.
Roads or Police?
A bi-partisan PA bill with considerable support seeks to redirect funds from the Motor License Fund, paid by motorists, that currently go to the State Police to roads. The police budget would have to compete with other needs from the general fund.
Security Cameras to Remain Secret in Toronto
Officials in Toronto have decided to keep secret the locations of 90 security cameras installed on public buildings. Residents and union officials are outraged.
Other Cities May Follow D.C. in Lifting Handgun Ban
Washington D.C.'s recent lift of its citywide handgun ban could signal a change for other cities with similar bans, like L.A. and Atlanta.
Zurich, Geneva and Vienna: Best Quality of Life?
Central European cities lead the world in this assessment of 'quality of living.' The survey is oriented towards companies who could locate workers in those countries and need to calculate 'hardship allowances.'
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
