Massachusetts

Pop Quiz: What State Has Highest Percentage of Deficient Bridges?

Hint: It's also the smallest by area. And the next two on the "first is worst" list are in the Northeast as well. According to 2014 FHWA data, over 50 percent of this state's bridges are considered deficient, either structurally or functionally.

May 24, 2015 - GoLocalProv

Op-Ed: Charge Drivers by the Gallon, Not by the Mile

Ben Adler of Grist makes a convincing case of why we should stick with gas taxes and not switch to a road usage charge, as Oregon will do July 1 in a limited program. Tax what you burn, not by how much you drive, he argues, to get the best results.

May 18, 2015 - Grist

Boston Launching First Comprehensive Plan Since 1965

Better architecture has been a consistent theme of the tenure of Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. The city's first comprehensive plan since 1965 could be the key tool in producing the desired results.

May 15, 2015 - The Boston Globe

Gas Tax Hike Showdown Headed to Nebraska

Strong leadership from the governor may be the most important factor in passing state gas tax increases. But what happens when the governor opposes increasing the gas tax and the legislature supports it? Nebraska is about to find out.

May 9, 2015 - AASHTO Journal

Op-Ed: End the Excuses for Lack of Housing Construction

An op-ed in the Boston Globe argues that the endless negotiations over new residential developments—including over the inclusion of affordable housing units—hurts the city's housing market.

April 23, 2015 - Boston Globe

Smartphone car

Boston Parking Meters to Get Smart

Over the next two years, Boston will replace its old parking meters with new ones connected to the internet. With this groundwork in place, pay-by-phone parking is the next step.

April 14, 2015 - BetaBoston

MBTA Struggles to Furnish Parking for Commuters

Boston commuters report frustrations with a lack of parking at stations along the system—so much so that they sometimes abandon hope of finding a spot or catching a train.

March 23, 2015 - The Boston Globe

Crowdfunding Campaign Raises Money and Awareness for Boston's MBTA

A Boston resident has launched a not totally-serious crowdfunding page called "Modernizing Boston's Transit" to help raise the $30 billion needed to fix the MBTA.

February 16, 2015 - BostInno

A bus next to the re-located light rail station at Denver's Union Station

Trains Are Always Better than Buses, Right?

Josh Barro provide examples galore of why the answer to that question isn't always yes—where costly rail investment has been to the detriment of existing transit. His column targets proposed projects, such as New York's LaGuardia Airport AirTrain.

February 11, 2015 - New York Times - The Upshot

South Boston

South Boston Sheds Its 'Gritty' Image

An ambitious new transportation plan is yet another step in the transformation of South Boston from a gritty, blue-collar waterfront to one of the nation's most promising zones of innovation.

February 5, 2015 - Next City

Nor'easter a Dud for New York City, But Not New England

What was hyped as one of the worst Nor'easters to hit New York City left Central Park with less than six inches of snow. However, New England and Long Island were not spared. NYC subway, buses, and rail shut down, and driving bans took effect.

January 28, 2015 - The New York Times

Can the 2024 Olympics Help Boston Plan for a Better 2124?

Can the Olympic bid provide an impetus for long-range planning for the Boston metropolitan area?

January 18, 2015 - CommonWealth

Uber Partnering with Boston to Establish National Data Sharing Model

After months of speculation and calls for transportation network companies to share data that might be helpful in refining the transportation systems of cities, Uber has announced a partnership with Boston that could do just that.

January 15, 2015 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

Boston Aerial

Boston Getting a 61-Story Addition to its Skyline

Signaling Boston's new role in the global real estate market, a new $750 million high-rise began construction this week.

January 14, 2015 - The Boston Globe

Ray LaHood Joins the Board of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, one of the country's most recognizable voices of leadership for infrastructure investment, will join the Board of the Lincoln Institute of land Policy.

January 9, 2015 - At Lincoln House

'Pop Up' Bus Startup Bridj Expands, Updates App

Bridj, a tech-enabled "pop up" bus service that first hit the road in June of 2014, has expanded of service and launched a new version of its app with significant operational changes.

January 8, 2015 - BetaBoston

Massachusetts Approves Initial Regulations for Transportation Network Companies

Transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft took a major step toward legal recognition in Massachusetts.

January 6, 2015 - The Boston Globe

Boston Redevelopment Authority Preparing for 2015 Building Boom

The Boston Globe reports on a year of massive investments, as well as sweeping changes in leadership, taking place in the offices of the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

January 1, 2015 - The Boston Globe

Op-Ed: New Massachusetts Leadership Must 'Think Big' on Housing

The state of Massachusetts has set a goal to establish 10,000 apartments and condos a year, but what will it take to deliver on that ambitious agenda, especially after the state's new political leadership takes over?

December 29, 2014 - The Boston Globe

Northern Avenue Bridge Shut Down in Boston

The Northern Avenue Bridge in Boston—a 100-year-old swing bridge used by pedestrians and cyclists—was closed abruptly due to structural defects.

December 26, 2014 - The Boston Globe

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.