District of Columbia

Mapping the D.C.'s Region's 267 Miles of Proposed Transit

Proposals for light rail, streetcar, and BRT lines spread in every direction from Washington D.C. into nearby climes. Although some are more realistic than others, one blog dares to dream about what the full extent of the proposals would look like.

May 10, 2014 - Greater Greater Washington

Washington D.C. COnstruction

Watch D.C.'s Surface Parking Lots and Unoccupied Buildings Disappear

The Downtown D.C. Business Improvement District recently released its State of Downtown report. Downtown D.C.'s transformation over the last two decades has created an incredible revenue generator for the city.

April 27, 2014 - The Washington Post

The Who, What, Where, Why and How of Washington, D.C.'s Capital Bikeshare

Few transportation projects have transformed D.C. as thoroughly as Capital Bikeshare. From humble beginnings in 2010 with fewer than 50 stations, there are now over three hundred stations and 2500 bikes spread across the city.

April 23, 2014 - Elevation DC

Alley Scene

Alleyways as Pathways to Urban Revitalization

From D.C. to Seattle, alleys are being reinvented as people-friendly spaces. Often perceived as dirty and dangerous, alleys are moving beyond garbage and garages to become havens for pedestrians, public art, and small business.

April 22, 2014 - Elevation DC

Washington D.C. Getting a Giant Greenhouse

A company called BrightFarms is developing a 100,000 square-foot greenhouse on a vacant lot in Washington D.C. The farm will provide jobs for locals and reduce the environmental footprint of the food sourcing process.

April 21, 2014 - Fast Co.Exist

Strip Mall

Is it a Suburban Exodus Yet?

A new report finds that suburban areas are losing residents to urban areas like New York City and Washington D.C., even well past the point when people would have traditionally made the choice to return to the suburbs.

April 18, 2014 - New York Times

Capital Beltway Peak Toll Tops $11

Use of the 495 Express Lanes, a HOT variable toll, has been fetching a pretty penny this year for commuters looking to escape the notoriously congested Capital Beltway. The ongoing experiment in commute pricing should recede before a tipping point.

April 16, 2014 - The Washington Post

Growth Slowing in Washington D.C.

After a decade of incredible growth, a tightening job market has finally slowed the domestic migration into Washington D.C.

April 14, 2014 - Washington Post

Latest to Open the Roads to Driverless Cars: Washington D.C.

Following actions by the federal government and a few states, the nation’s capital recently published a set of rules regulating the operation of driverless cars.

April 8, 2014 - WAMU

Eisenhower

Back to the Drawing Board for Eisenhower Memorial Design

The National Capital Planning Commission voted this week to reject a design by Gehry Partners for a memorial to Dwight D. Eisenhower planned for the National Mall in the nation’s capital.

April 5, 2014 - The Washington Post

D.C. Streetcar

D.C. Business Owners Say Streetcar's No Silver Bullet, but Could Spur Growth

With D.C.'s first streetcar since 1962 about to begin service (any day now), how are business owners along the corridor holding up?

April 3, 2014 - Elevation DC

''D.C.'s High Line" Could Transform the Banks of the Anacostia

The proposed elevated park across the Anacostia would be a first for D.C. The group backing it has launched a national design competition to design a bridge that fosters economic development, promotes community health, and cleans the river.

April 2, 2014 - Elevation DC

Virginia Expanding its High-Occupancy Toll Lanes

Despite installing many innovative traffic management schemes over the years, the 41 miles of highway between Fredericksburg, Virginia and Washington D.C. are snarled by some of the worst traffic in the country. Can HOT lanes change that?

March 24, 2014 - Atlantic Cities

Web-Tool Maps Real-Time Deforestation

A new web-based program, Global Forest Watch, provides access to almost real-time visualization of forests around the world.

March 22, 2014 - ASLA The Dirt

D.C.’s Height Limits: Are You Ready for Some Football?

Congress is working on increasing height limits in Washington D.C. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-California) based pitching increased the limits by appealing to that fundamental American passion: football.

March 21, 2014 - Roll Call

Congress Inching Toward Small Changes to D.C. Height Restrictions

A strange scene this week: members of Congress discussing height restrictions in one of the country's largest urban centers. In the end, a House committee approved a bill that would loosen D.C.’s century-old Height of Buildings Act.

March 13, 2014 - Washington Business Journal

Construction Starting on Southwest Waterfront Project in D.C.

After receiving a $220 million capital infusion, the developers of a 27-acre waterfront redevelopment proposal in Washington D.C. will break ground on the long-awaited project on March 19.

March 12, 2014 - The Washington Post

The Organizations Behind the Growth of Biking in D.C.

Adrienne LaFrance surveys the bike scene in Washington D.C.—from co-ops to bikeshare programs to social groups.

March 6, 2014 - The Washington Post

Paris Metro Gift Wrapped

Two Examinations of the Transit-User Experience

A pair of recent articles examine what it’s like to use public transit every day, year after year. One examines the mechanics of on-time delivery and service—the other, the unwritten rules of ridership.

March 5, 2014 - Greater Greater Washington

D.C.’s Code Rewrite Doesn’t Remove its 'Zoning Straightjacket'

The City Block examines the ongoing zoning code update in Washington D.C. relative to a zoning code tradition of maintaining restrictions on growth.

February 28, 2014 - City Block

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.