New York

nyc. subway.

New York Will Phase Out C Train 'Brightliners' By 2017

Once the subway's pride, R-32 'Brightliner' trains that operate on the C line will soon disappear from service. Mid-century promo videos notwithstanding, the line's rolling stock was in dire need of an update.

March 31, 2015 - WNYC: Transportation Nation

Op-Ed: Time to Take Planning Power Back from Communities

In light of the current housing crisis, argues Stephen Smith, the community-based land use controls created as a response to urban renewal policies of the 20th century should be for forfeited to more development friendly political forces.

March 30, 2015 - New York YIMBY

The Huge Potential for Passive Buildings in the Big Apple

In NYC, unlike most areas in the United States, buildings, rather than transportation, are the major source of carbon emissions. Passive buildings, with their negligible heating and cooling costs, could help meet carbon reduction goals.

March 30, 2015 - The New York Times - Real Estate

Weisbrod Op-Ed Makes the Case for Proposed Zoning Changes

An op-ed by Carol Weisbrod, chairman of the NYC Planning Commission, makes the case for the de Blasio Administration's zoning policy as the key mechanism in its housing policy.

March 27, 2015 - New York Daily News

Buffalo Light Rail

Buffalo: Retrofitting a Rust Belt Capital

Author Catherine Tumbler writes on how this Rust Belt city on Lake Erie is attempting to capitalize on its past, reverse its mistakes, and build a greener economy.

March 27, 2015 - The Baffler

Vintage Taxi

Mental Maps Yield to GPS for Taxi Drivers

In the old days, every taxi driver in New York City was required to prove at least a basic working knowledge of the city's streets and landmarks. A new licensing exam does away with geography, assuming that taxis will rely on GPS.

March 26, 2015 - New York Times

Burj Khalifa

On a Potential Mile-High Skyscraper

A New York magazine article examines the idea of the mile-high skyscraper. Once imagined by Frank Lloyd Wright but impossible to build, the idea is not science fiction anymore.

March 26, 2015 - New York Magazine

Planning for Climate Change on the Shores of the Great Lakes

Two academic researchers explain the planning and landscape architecture opportunities offered by the "dramatic fluctuations" and "emergent shorelands" of the Great Lakes Coasts.

March 25, 2015 - Places Journal

New York Unlikely to Receive Federal Support in Solving Housing Crisis

Crain's New York Business examines recent statements by New York Planning Commission Chair Carl Weisbrod about the need for federal support if New York is to hit its affordable housing targets.

March 25, 2015 - Crain's New York Business

Groundbreaking for 'Plaza De Las Americas' Public Market Space in New York

New York City broke ground recently on the Plaza de Las Americas—a designed public space that will support market uses and pedestrian activity while replacing an existing roadway in the Washington Heights neighborhood.

March 24, 2015 - The Architect's Newspaper

North Carolina Struggles to Prevent Deep Gas Tax Cut

The News & Observer's "road worrier" (not a typo!), Bruce Siceloff, provides ongoing coverage of the sad saga of North Carolina's gas tax, set to be adjusted downwards by statute.

March 23, 2015 - The News & Observer

New York Subway Fares Jump to $2.75 Today

The $2.50 subway fare is set to rise by a quarter, but will service improve? This New York Times article focuses on problems plaguing the 110-year-old New York subway (second oldest after Boston's), but fares are increasing for all MTA services.

March 22, 2015 - The New York Times

Uber Cars Now Outnumber Yellow Taxis in New York City

Looking for evidence of the new world order? Here's some from New York City: Uber cars now outnumber yellow-cabs.

March 20, 2015 - New York Post

'Brooklyn Strand' Designed to Connect Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights

A vision concept called the Brooklyn Strand would create a more integrated and connected system of pedestrian and green spaces. Can local stakeholders convince the city to support the project?

March 20, 2015 - Brownstoner

Estimated Cost of Fixing the Port Authority Bus Terminal: $10 Billion

For those keeping track at home, the Port Authority report that estimated the cost of a new bus terminal in Midtown came in at ten times the original estimate a year ago.

March 19, 2015 - Capital New York

Crowd

On the Limitations of Density

Writing for FastCo.Design, Architecture Critic Inga Saffron provides a cautionary tale about density done poorly.

March 16, 2015 - Fast Co. Design

Newark

American Dream for Sale: $1,000 for an Empty Lot in Newark

In a bid for revenue and rejuvenation, Newark is selling vacant lots for $1,000. Buyers promise to build a home and stay for at least five years.

March 14, 2015 - New York Times

Friday Funny: Your Subway Train Says a Lot About You

Clickhole, the Buzzfeed-style spinoff of The Onion, has produced a listicle of what the New York Subway line you're riding says about your personality. Prepare to learn nothing and laugh a little.

March 13, 2015 - Clickhole

MTA Testing Bike Racks on Staten Island Buses

What is the one transit facility New York lacks that every other major city in the country has? Bike racks on buses. A new system was tested recently on the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, but it's a long way from delivery.

March 11, 2015 - StreetsBlog NYC

New York City Parking

New York City Proposes Parking Requirement Overhaul

The New York Department of City Planning is working on an overhaul of its parking requirements with the potential to impact hundreds of developments.

March 10, 2015 - Capital New York

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.