New York
Grant Helps Extend NYC Plaza Program into Less Affluent Areas
By transforming excess street space in areas like Times Square and Herald Square into pedestrian paradises, New York City's plaza program has been a huge hit. But with maintenance costs borne by local businesses, less affluent areas have missed out.
Feds Order Unprecedented Review of Metro-North Safety
In the aftermath of a derailment that killed four passengers and other recent safety lapses, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation has ordered an unprecedented in-depth review of the "operations and 'safety culture'” of Metro-North Railroad.
Bike Share's Demographic Challenge
Bike share is in some ways the opposite of public transit, from a demographic perspective. While transit is often disproportionately patronized by low income riders, bike share is overwhelmingly avoided by that same group. NPR looks for the reasons.
Did the Community Get Too Much out of the Atlantic Yards Deal?
In a recent filing, Forest City Ratner reported that it will lose $250-$350 million of its initial investment in the Atlantic Yards project. Higher-than-expected costs to build affordable housing, among other things, are being blamed for the loss.
MTA Offers Excuse Notes for Delayed Riders
Since it became available online three years ago, 250,000 riders have taken advantage of a New York MTA program that offers vouchers to substantiate tardiness caused by unexpected subway delays.
Bloomberg Pursues One Last Ban
Did anyone think the final month of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's third, and final, term was going to wind down quietly? After taking on cigarettes, sodas, and trans fats, Bloomberg is going after plastic-foam food containers.
Pick to Head NYPD Seen as Street Safety Ally
With traffic deaths in New York City approaching falling homicide rates, calls for improving road safety are increasing. William Bratton, the former and future NYPD Commissioner, has signaled street safety will be a priority, exciting advocates.
Would Advanced Technology Have Prevented the Metro-North Derailment?
As federal investigators focus on the likelihood of human error being the cause of the Dec. 1 derailment that killed four passengers, attention has been placed on the federal requirement for all railroads to install positive train control systems.
Front Runner Emerges to Succeed Amanda Burden
As Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio prepares to take office at the beginning of the new year, speculation is growing as to who will succeed Mayor Bloomberg's popular commissioners. The Real Deal floats several candidates to become NYC's next chief planner.
Engineer is Focus of Metro-North Derailment Investigation
With the train's black box showing that the speeding commuter train entered a 30 M.P.H curve at 82 M.P.H, causing the derailment, attention has turned toward the engineer. CNN reports that the engineer admits to "nodding off" before the crash.
Bikeshare Stations Stimulate Street Life and Sociability
A study conducted by the Project for Public Spaces finds that New York's new CitiBike stations are a locus for more than just cycling. They provide wayfinding and street seating, serve as gathering places, and encourage random social interactions.
Will New York Be Content to Follow, Rather than Lead?
From pedestrianization initiatives to a trans fat ban, Bloomberg's New York was known for experimentation and innovation. Laura Kusisto says that after two decades of conservative mayors, the next administration will look elsewhere for inspiration.
Commuter Train Derailment in the Bronx Kills Four
What caused the Metro-North train to derail Sunday at 7:20 a.m. is not known, though the train operator pointed to faulty brakes. 63 of the 100 to 150 people onboard were injured, 11 critically, in the city's deadliest train crash in two decades.
New York Has it Both Ways on Natural Gas
Plentiful natural gas produced from neighboring Pa. makes it easier for New York City buildings to comply with a regulation to convert dirty heating oil burners to use cleaner fuels like natural gas while the state has a six-year fracking moratorium
An Edible Urban Winter Wonderland
Now that pesky Thanksgiving Day is nearly over, we can merrily move on to the true focus of the holiday season: Christmas. And what better way to kick off the march to December 25th than to visit the world's largest gingerbread village.
The Disturbing Thanksgiving Parade Balloons of Yesteryear
Predictions of strong winds and frigid temperatures may keep many people from attending this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, providing ample opportunity to explore Philip Bump's collection of creepy balloons from years past.
De Blasio Tax Hike Aims to Turn Speculators into Developers
A plan to eliminate a tax loophole on more than 10,500 vacant lots across New York City could help contribute to the mayor-elect's affordable housing goals.
Another Attempt to Toll the East River Bridges
The bridges over the East and Harlem Rivers, unlike other bridges and tunnels in the region, operate without tolls. Transit advocate Sam Schwartz has proposed a plan to toll them and apply revenues to fund transit and upgrade roads and bridges.
Where Will the Street Artists Go?
Thanks to the rising tide of redevelopment, New York's legal graffiti walls are disappearing. But the art form's pioneers rarely asked for permission to practice their art. Might the city see a return to the anarchic environment of the 1980s?
Cities Pursue Different Paths to One Goal: Safer Streets
In the face of rising pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities, the District of Columbia's police department began deploying automated photo enforcement technologies while San Francisco took a multi-agency, collaborative planning approach.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
