Technology

To Share or Not to Share? The Great Transit Data Debate

Some transit agencies keep it under wraps, while others share it widely. Three cities in the U.S. show how the availability of transit arrival data is a wild frontier.

August 27, 2009 - CNET

Entering a World of Augmented Reality

Smart phones are bringing about a new realm of "augmented" reality -- where digital data can be visually overlaid into real life environments in real-time.

August 27, 2009 - Wired

California's Debate Over What Constitutes Renewable Energy

The goal is to increase California's use of clean, renewable sources of electricity so as to meet the state's climate protection goal. Two bills are being debated that will require that 33% of electricity sources be composed of renewables by 2020.

August 25, 2009 - The Sacramento Bee

Military Mapping the Threats and Advantages of Urban Areas

The U.S. Military's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is investing in a program that looks to create 3D imagery of urban areas and the common spaces and objects that could pose threats or provide advantages to military operations.

August 24, 2009 - CNET

The Challenges of City-Built Information Networks

When Lafayette, Louisiana set out to build a high-speed fiber optic data network, legal challenges caused major delays. Other cities are likely to experience the same issues as they try to expand their information infrastructure.

August 23, 2009 - Governing

Hi-Tech Highway Coming To North Carolina

Groundbreaking for the nation's most technologically highway, a toll road, occurred on August 12 in North Carolina. Attended by Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez, the 19 mile road will have no toll booths. It is expected to open 2011.

August 18, 2009 - The Fast Lane

Mapping Software That Isn't Just Google Maps Plus

MIT researcher Jeffrey Warren has just released the latest version of Cartagen, a software platform for interactive mapping. Julia Galef takes a look.

August 15, 2009 - Metropolis Magazine

Amtrak Routes Now on Google Transit

A recent partnership between Google and Amtrak will allow users of Google Maps / Google Transit to see Amtrak routes as a possible mode of travel, Webwire reports.

August 11, 2009 - Webwire

Where Are We Going To Charge Our Cars?

Cities need stations where electric cars can recharge in order for the new technology to take off and become a reality in the future, The Wall Street Journal reports.

August 10, 2009 - The Wall Street Journal

Walking Up Housing Values, and Making Smarter Cities

Walkability improves home values, according to a new report. Smart City talks with economist Joe Cortright about the study, and with IBM about its new "Smarter Cities" technology report.

August 9, 2009 - Smart City

Solar Thermal Power Tower Debuts in U.S.

This week, eSolar debuted the first solar thermal power tower in the U.S., which they say is a step forward in technology and affordability.

August 9, 2009 - Earth2Tech

Life with a High-Speed Rail System

Spaniards are quickly adapting to life with a high-speed rail network. Air travel between Barecelona and Madrid is down 46% because of it.

August 8, 2009 - The Guardian U.K.

Watching Trash

Tracking tags have been implanted in garbage in New York and Seattle to monitor where garbage goes and how municipal waste management systems can improve.

August 8, 2009 - Seed

Real-Time Arrival Data Coming to Philadelphia Bus Riders

Philadelphia's public transit system is preparing to launch a new service that makes bus and train arrival times available to riders' handheld devices.

August 7, 2009 - Plan Philly

How to Build Chicago

This video from WTTW looks at a huge new model of the city of Chicago, and shows how it was built.

August 6, 2009 - WTTW

'Distracted Driving' Summit Called By LaHood

In a sign of how serious the administration is taking traffic safety, DOT Secretary Ray LaHood called for a special meeting to deal with 'distracted driving', primarily the technological type - cell phones, both hand-held and hands-free, and texting.

August 5, 2009 - The New York Times - Politics

Free Parking

At a digital security conference in Las Vegas, a presenter showed that newer "smart" parking meters can be hacked, giving the hacker free parking wherever they go.

August 5, 2009 - Boing Boing

Lost City Found Near Venice

Through the use of infrared aerial photography, the lost ancient Roman city of Altinum has been found.

August 3, 2009 - Der Spiegel

House Votes To Extend Clunkers Program

The Cash For Clunkers Program or CARS (Car Allowance Rebate System) received a major vote of confidence on July 31 when the House overwhelmingly voted to inject $2 billion into the enormously popular program.

August 1, 2009 - The New York Times - Business

Sewer Robot Frees Up Streets

The Urban Mole is a proposed package delivery robot that uses existing sewer tunnels to deliver packages underground, taking delivery trucks off of the streets.

July 31, 2009 - Wired

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.