Virginia

Charlottesville Downtown mall

Controversial Comprehensive Plan Update Moves Forward in Charlottesville

Residents have had a chance to oppose the new residential density proposed by the "Charlottesville Plans Together" comprehensive planning process.

July 1, 2021 - The Daily Progress

Amtrak

How Virginia Became a Leader in Passenger Rail

The state's consistent investment in passenger rail has resulted in one of the nation's most effective regional rail networks.

June 24, 2021 - The Washington Post

Metrorail Station Area

Amazon Financing Affordable Transit-Oriented Housing Near its New Headquarters

The company announced a $125 million investment in housing near Metro stations in northern Virginia, where the promise of jobs at its new Arlington headquarters sparked rising demand for housing.

June 23, 2021 - Greater Greater Washington

Car-Centric Planning

Mapping Environmental Justice Hotspots

A new map of Virginia illustrates the stark contrasts in pollution burdens depending on location.

June 18, 2021 - The Virginia Mercury

Virginia

Parking Minimums on the Chopping Block in Richmond, Virginia

Richmond, Virginia has decided to study the idea of removing parking minimums to lower the cost of housing and make more efficient use of land in the city.

June 2, 2021 - Richmond Times-Dispatch

Complete Streets Plan for Route 1 in Arlington County, Virginia

Virginia DOT's Route 1 Plans Might Upset Amazon's Vision for National Landing

The National Landing BID this week launched a "People Over Cars" awareness campaign in response to the Virginia Department of Transportation's plans for Route 1 in Northern Virginia.

May 20, 2021 - Washingtonian

PenPlace Redevelopment

New Amazon HQ2 Renderings Revealed

New details of the second phase of Amazon HQ2 in Northern Virginia were released last week ahead of a planning committee hearing.

May 17, 2021 - ARLnow

Bus Transit

Fare-Free Transit Gaining Momentum in Virginia

State funding approved in early 2020 and Covid-related service changes are allowing multiple localities to consider a drastic move for public transit: permanent, fare-free bus service.

April 9, 2021 - The Virginia Mercury

Bus Station

Free Transit for Three Years in Charlottesville

Federal stimulus spending will enable the Charlottesville Area Transit to operate without fares for three years. The agency is also considering a plan to make the fare-free service permanent.

April 5, 2021 - The Daily Progress

End of the Mall

Can Mall Redevelopment 'Urbanize the Suburbs'?

Local leaders in Virginia are banking on mall redevelopment projects to revive their tax bases and create more mixed-use neighborhoods.

April 2, 2021 - The Virginia Mercury

Train Station Conceptual Renderings

New 'Capital Regional Rail Vision' Revealed

An idea to expand regional rail service around D.C. has new substance after the Greater Washington Partnership revealed the first details of a plan to convert the MARC and VRE commuter train systems into high-frequency, all-day regional service.

March 28, 2021 - The Washington Post

Ohio Creek Watershed Project

Norfolk Plans for Resilience in the Face of Climate Change

The Ohio Creek Watershed Project aims to protect the city's coastline and prepare for future sea level rise.

March 21, 2021 - Bloomberg Green

15 MPH speed limit sign

Virginia Set to Pass Bill Lowering Minimum Speed Limit

The Virginia General Assembly has passed a bill that would allow localities to set speed limits as low as 15 miles per hour.

March 17, 2021 - The Virginia Mercury

Bicyclists White House

D.C.'s Bike Boom Has Staying Power

More biking, less transit, and less driving alone are the headlining trends from the most recent Regional Travel Survey for the D.C. metropolitan area.

March 12, 2021 - Greater Greater Washington

Yield Sign

Virginia Lawmakers Won't Let Cyclists Roll Through Stop Signs—Yet

The state legislature passed a bill calling for a study of the proposed law and its effects in other states.

February 25, 2021 - The Washington Post

Arlington Cemetery Station

D.C. Metro Blue Line to Close for 3+ Plus Months, Starting Saturday

Platform improvements will close down another rail transit route in the D.C. region for three whole months.

February 12, 2021 - Arl Now

Virginia

A Regional Vision for Virginia, Maryland, D.C. Rail

Expanding rail service to more communities in Maryland and D.C. could enhance the benefits of Virginia's recent investments in intercity rail.

February 9, 2021 - The Virginia Mercury

Amazon Fulfillment Center

New Amazon HQ2 Renderings Reveal a Futuristic Look for Northern Virginia

Renderings for the second phase of Amazon's second headquarters in Northern Virginia grabbed a lot of attention today.

February 2, 2021 - The Washington Post

Cops on Bikes

Virginia's Proposed Bicycle Safety Act Puts the Onus on Drivers

Three-foot passing rules are safe. Requiring drivers to change lanes to pass people on bikes are even safer.

January 25, 2021 - The Virginia Mercury

Seattle, Washington

Amazon and Other Tech Giants Make Billion-Dollar Commitments to Affordable Housing

Some of the world's biggest companies are investing in affordable housing, hoping to stymie the growing crisis their growth has contributed to.

January 19, 2021 - Smart Cities Dive

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.