Virginia

D.C. Metro

Metrorail Travel Patterns Revealed

Commute data for one of the nation's premier rail transit systems, revealed.

August 23, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Charlottesville Downtown mall

Charlottesville and the 'War Against Public Space'

A think-piece published by CityLab argues that public space, and the ideals it embodies, are under threat from the racist groups that gathered in Charlottesville, Virginia last weekend.

August 15, 2017 - CityLab

Virginia's New 395 Express Lanes Guaranteed to Fund Public Transit

The $500 million, eight-mile extension, mostly paid by private funds and express lane tolls, broke ground August 9. Transurban, the private company in the public-private partnership, will pay $15 million annually for public transit improvements.

August 14, 2017 - Planetizen

Anacostia Bridge

Iconic New Bridge Project Revealed in D.C.

The new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge will span the Anacostia River between Washington, D.C. and Anacostia.

August 11, 2017 - The Washington Post

Potomac River

Alexandria's Affordable Housing Stock Shrank 90% Since 2000

Rents and prices are going up for basically every kind of housing unit in Alexandria, Virginia. The city's commitment to the preservation of subsidized housing is no match.

July 23, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Virginia

Big Transit Plans Approved for Richmond, Virginia

The city of Richmond has decided to turn potential to reality by approving, among other big transit changes, five new bus rapid transit routes.

July 21, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Gondola Proposal Still Floating in D.C.

A proposed project to connect Rosslyn and Washington, D.C. by Gondola across the Potomac River still has support from the D.C. Council—enough support to fund an environmental study of the idea.

July 4, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Homes

What Happened When Arlington Cut Out the 'Missing Middle'

In Arlington, restricting density to preserve neighborhood character isn't new. A rowhouse ban in 1938 may be one factor behind today's steep prices and gentrification.

June 17, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

I-66 Widening and Bike Lane

Critiquing the Proposal to Locate a Bike Lane on an Interstate

The current plan for the widening of I-66 in Virginia would place a bike lane between vehicle traffic and a sound wall.

June 15, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Environmentalism

Let the Climate Resistance Begin

States and cities are reacting to President Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement on Thursday. Three states formed the U.S. Climate Alliance; by Monday, it had grown to 13. Initially 30 mayors signed in support; it's now over 200.

June 6, 2017 - Planetizen

Roanoke

Roanoke Launches a New Bikeshare System

Bikeshare isn't just for the country's largest cities anymore.

May 28, 2017 - The Roanoke Times

Washington, D.C.

The Sky's the Limit for Washington, D.C.-Area High Rises

With a new high-rise under construction and even taller high-rise working its way through planning approvals, the Washington, D.C. area's building envelope is reaching new heights.

May 23, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Pedestrian Safety

What Makes a Good Trail?

To better advocate for the kind of walking and biking infrastructure it wants to see in a regional trail network, the Capital Trails Coalition has set out to define the components of a high-quality trail.

April 25, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Virginia

Transit Oriented Parking Reform in Virginia

Arlington County, Virginia has begun a process to reduce parking requirements for large residential developments near transit stations.

April 22, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Hurricane Ike Damage

Insurance Industry Reacting as Flooding Moves From Risk to Certainty

Federal legislation and rising sea levels are changing the way homes are insured against flooding. According to this feature article, in fact, flood insurance "is serving as a kind of advance scout into a more difficult future."

April 18, 2017 - The New York Times Magazine

Working to Ease Gentrification Around D.C.'s Ambitious 11th Street Bridge Project

From the beginning of the proposal for the new 11th Street Bridge between Anacostia and Capitol Hill, planners and designers have promised to prevent the displacement of residents living nearby the new amenities offered by the bridge and its park.

April 12, 2017 - Washingtonian

The Villages Florida

How About Walkable 'Small Town-ism?'

With the high cost of land and housing in most major cities, why don't we just make the hundreds of "walkable" small towns in the United States more desirable places to live for average earners?

April 4, 2017 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

D.C. Metro

D.C. Metro Approves Fare Hike, Service Cuts

For months, transit advocates have dreaded the decision to raise fares and cut service throughout the D.C. Metro system. That day arrived last week. Changes take effect on July 1.

March 27, 2017 - The Washington Post

Water

Trump Budget's Devastating Effect on the EPA and Two of America's Greatest Water Resources

President Trump's budget for 2018 has the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency take the steepest hit—31 percent. Funding for two vital programs, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and Chesapeake Bay Program, will have their funds eliminated.

March 20, 2017 - E&E News [Subscription]

Freeway

More States Cracking Down on Slow Drivers in the Passing Lane

Some people just can't help but help themselves to the fast lane.

March 17, 2017 - PBS

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.