District of Columbia

Review: Smithsonian South Mall Master Plan

Writing for The Dirt, Jared Green takes a critical eye to the proposed master plan for the Smithsonian's South Mall campus, designed by high-profile Danish architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group.

November 24, 2014 - ASLA The Dirt

Capital Bikeshare

A Planning Career to Help People Share—Bikes, of Course

The following interview, as published in the 4th Edition of the Planetizen Guide to Graduate Urban Planning Programs, features Kimberly Lucas, bicycle program specialist for the District Department of Transportation.

November 20, 2014 - Kimberly Lucas

How D.C.'s Historic Buildings—Some in Danger—Enrich its Neighborhoods

Historic buildings add character to neighborhoods. When torn down, pieces of history are also stripped from the city; when restored, they can act as catalysts for revitalization.

November 19, 2014 - Elevation DC

Urban Churches Adapt to a Changing City

In Washington, D.C., residents, shops and restaurants come and go, often moving from neighborhood to neighborhood. But churches remain. They anchor the community as it changes, and often find themselves changing with it.

November 18, 2014 - Elevation DC

Leinberger Op-Ed Supports Streetcars as Economic Development Tool

"Opposing streetcars and light rail today would be like opposing the building of freeways, the Beltway and Metrorail in the 20th century," writes Chris Leinberger in an op-ed for the Washington Post.

November 17, 2014 - The Washington Post - Opinions

'Ridescore' Rates the Hired Driver Regulations for 50 Cities

The Ridescore system grades cities for their regulatory friendliness to hired drivers—transportation network companies, taxis, and limos. Washington D.C. offers the most friendly regulations for hired drivers, Las Vegas the least.

November 12, 2014 - R Street Institute Press Release

Cities Passing Up Opportunity to Amass Uber's Valuable Data

The legalization (or illegalization) process of Uber throughout the country allows city governments to leverage a data exchange with the company, but too many municipalities are passing up this momentous opportunity.

October 31, 2014 - The Washington Post

Tolls vs Taxes and the State of the American Highway

Making up only seven percent of U.S. interstate miles, the future of toll roads is bright according to Brooking's Robert Puentes and Diane Rehm's other guests in a 52-minute, wide ranging discussion on gas taxes, toll roads, and privatization.

October 27, 2014 - WAMU

Old DC Transit

D.C. Officials Dramatically Scale Back Streetcar System

In a recent move, officials from Mayor Vincent C. Gray's administration shortened DC's streetcar system to a much-shorter eight miles.

October 26, 2014 - The Washington Post

Two-Year 'Action Plan' to Support Early Implementation of 'moveDC' Long Range Plan

The District Department of Transportation released its moveDC "Action Plan" this week. While the moveDC plan sets a 25-year agenda, the Action Plan identifies 36 specific actions for implementation in the next two years.

October 22, 2014 - Greater Greater Washington

Plans to Close D.C. Homeless Shelter Relies on the Generosity of Landlords

Can a $52 million plan to close the D.C. General emergency shelter rely on the generosity of landlords in providing houses for the homeless?

October 21, 2014 - The Washington Post

Transit Oriented Development

The New Transit User Fee: Real Estate Rent

Driven by a need to meet growing costs amid unstable federal subsidies, metropolitan transit agencies are eying their properties, particularly parking lots, as money makers from new residential and commercial development.

October 20, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal

How D.C.'s 11th Street Bridge Will Transform Infrastructure into Civic Space

Across the US, cities increasingly view waterfronts as opportunities for green space. Once tied to industrial uses, river fronts now offer a chance to repurpose existing infrastructure for public use.

October 17, 2014 - The Planning Report

Tysons Corner

D.C.'s New Metro Line Already Influencing the Suburbs

The Silver Line opened two and a half months ago. Already, with strong ridership in both directions, some businesses are seeing new opportunities.

October 15, 2014 - Elevation DC

Washington D.C.'s Zoning Code Update Finally Progressing

Washington D.C.'s long deliberated and closely watched zoning code update is moving forward, and supporters of progressive land use regulations have reason to be encouraged.

October 14, 2014 - Greater Greater Washington

Awarding the Best Government Websites

Looking for the best examples of municipal websites? Look no further.

October 9, 2014 - Government Technology

Amsterdam Bikes

Shifting the Message to Attract More Bike Riders

In a speech to the Arlington County Commuter Services, Veronica O. Davis argues for bicycle advocates to shift from focusing solely on commuter riders.

October 9, 2014 - Mobility Lab

Rooftop Solar Panels

Mapping the Solar Potential of Every Roof

A new app out of MIT provides property owners with detailed information about the solar potential of their roofs. The app is currently at work in five cities.

October 8, 2014 - CleanTechnica

Kids Biking

Unsafe Streets on National Walk and Bike to School Day

Today, October 8, is National Walk and Bike to School Day, and yet street conditions across the United States continue to prevent kids from getting to school safely without being chauffeured. Lynn Richards of CNU says we can do better.

October 8, 2014 - Greater Greater Washington

How to Revitalize a 'Stuck' Neighborhood?

Congress Heights, in Washington D.C., has suffered decades of neglect. Now, city planners and activists want to transform it into a mixed-use, mixed-income success story. What if it doesn't work? What if it works too well?

October 8, 2014 - Elevation DC

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.