Sidewalks

Kansas City

Kansas City Pedestrian Deaths Surpassing Last Year’s Rates

The city has taken some steps to address gaps in pedestrian infrastructure, but fatalities are growing as the most disadvantaged communities continue to lack safe walking conditions.

June 28, 2022 - KCUR

A view up Santa Fe Drive in Denver. Stores and construction are visible along the street, and Downtown Denver looms in the background.

Denver Wants Ground Floor Retail, Sidewalk Extensions to Achieve Main Street 'Vibe'

The Arts District on Santa Fe Drive is considered one of Denver's final frontiers for revitalization. Local stakeholders are targeting zoning changes as a potential solution.

March 13, 2022 - The Denver Post

Atlanta Scooter

Atlanta Urges Tactical Urbanism To Speed Up Vision Zero Goals

The city's department of transportation has released a guide to help community groups implement low-cost 'tactical urbanism' projects.

March 11, 2022 - Smart Cities Dive

East Nashville

Nashville Releases 5-Year 'WalknBike' Plan

The plan lays out the city's plans for improving its bike infrastructure and sidewalk network.

February 28, 2022 - News Channel 5 Nashville

Rendering of proposed Church Street raised separated cycletracks and reduced traffic lanes

Separated Bike Lanes, Traffic Calming Coming to Decatur Street

Decatur's Church Street is set to undergo a transformation that will reduce traffic lanes, add cycletracks, and widen sidewalks in an effort to make the corridor more 'people-friendly.'

February 18, 2022 - Urbanize Atlanta

Downtown Kansas City Missouri

Bike Lanes Pitted Against Sidewalks in Kansas City

A proposed ordinance that would allow neighborhood associations to request removal of bike lanes has sparked a debate over how to prioritize bike and pedestrian infrastructure.

January 4, 2022 - The Kansas City Beacon

San Francisco Parklet

How the Pandemic Is Reshaping Cities

The social and economic upheaval of the last two years accelerated a shift in thinking about how we use public space and organize the urban realm.

January 4, 2022 - Wired

Delivery Trucks

How Street Configuration Impacts Equity

With urban pollution and traffic violence disproportionately affecting communities of color, better management of public space and streets could improve equity in cities.

October 25, 2021 - Streetsblog USA

Toronto Sidewalk

Student-Designed Cool Sidewalk Could Reduce 'Urban Heat Island' Effect

Researchers at the University of New Mexico created a sidewalk design using materials that would reduce heat absorption and require fewer materials than traditional concrete sidewalks.

September 28, 2021 - University of New Mexico

Starship Technologies

Are Robots Coming to a Sidewalk Near You?

Since 2017, 32 bills regulating or permitting "personal delivery devices"—sidewalk robots—have been introduced in 27 states.

September 14, 2021 - Next City

Chicago ADA Access

Centering Non-Drivers Would Improve Infrastructure for All

Inadequate infrastructure disproportionately harms people with mobility challenges who can't or don't drive, but their needs closely mirror those of all pedestrians.

September 1, 2021 - Streetsblog USA

Bollards

To Protect Pedestrians, Install More Bollards

Roadway designs protect drivers and construction workers with robust barriers. Why don't we protect pedestrians in the same way?

August 4, 2021 - Strong Towns

Al Fresco Streets

'Open Streets' Have an Accessibility Problem

The rush to utilize sidewalk space for outdoor seating and parklets has created new obstacles for people with disabilities.

July 2, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

West 72nd Street

Learning About the City by Running for Office

When you are trying to get people's attention, a city feels very different.

June 2, 2021 - Michael Lewyn

Alternative Pedestrian Walkway, 60th Avenue, Portland

Portland Installs 'Alternative Pedestrian Walkway'

The walkway is simpler and faster to build than a sidewalk, letting the city quickly and cost-effectively improve pedestrian safety on important walking corridors.

June 2, 2021 - Bike Portland

New York Bike Signage

Can I Be a Libertarian for Bike Lanes?

Discussing the trade-offs between making government leaner and making traffic safer.

April 25, 2021 - Michael Lewyn

Biketown

For Functional Cities, First Get the Basics Right

Experts at the Urbanism Next conference advise city leaders not to overlook basic, "mundane" infrastructure that underpins the success of cities and transportation systems.

April 11, 2021 - GOVTECH.COM

Americans With Disabilities Act

New Orleans Facing ADA Lawsuit for State of Sidewalks and Lack of Curb Cuts

The city of New Orleans' compliance with Americans With Disabilities Act compliance is too little, too late, according to the plaintiffs in a new lawsuit.

February 10, 2021 - NOLA.com

Washington D.C.

Vision Zero on the Streets of D.C.

Bike and pedestrian deaths have been on the rise in D.C. despite a Vision Zero commitment. New legislation will pave the way for new infrastructure and safety improvements.

September 25, 2020 - The Washington Post

Sidewalk Parking

Parking on Sidewalks Could Be Prohibited Throughout the U.K.

The United Kingdom could preempt local laws that allow drivers to park cars on sidewalks. The policy would provide clearer paths for people with disabilities and people choosing active transportation modes.

September 2, 2020 - The Guardian

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.