Europe

Athens Fights Rising Temperatures
At the recent Smart Cities Conference in Barcelona, Mayor Kaminis of Athens highlighted how the city is helping residents survive the increasingly hot summers in the Greek capital.

Cities Need to Create Level Playing Fields For New Mobility (That Tilt Towards Community Goals)
The new mobility landscape requires a few key roles from government.

Massive Mine Encroaching on Swedish City
The Swedish city of Kiruna will have to move after one of the world's largest iron mines opens a crack in the earth that is spreading straight for the city.

Major Increase in Global Carbon Emissions Projected for 2018
The report from the Global Carbon Project, an international group of scientists who track greenhouse gas emissions, comes as a surprise as emissions had been relatively flat for the last four years. Global emissions this year will increase 2.7%.

Free Transit for All in Luxembourg
Luxembourg will put their money where their mouth is when it comes to cleaning the environment and providing an alternative to congested car commutes.

President Macron Acquiesces to Yellow Vests' Demands on Fuel Tax Hike
Despite statements to the contrary just a week ago, Macron reversed position and caved to the demonstrators' demands that upcoming fuel tax hikes be suspended.

France Drops Road Tolling Plans Amid Fuel Tax Protests
Controversial London-style congestion pricing won't be coming to French cities due to concerns sparked by the 'Yellow Vest' protests over an upcoming fuel tax hike, but President Macron stated the fuel tax increases will go forward in January.

Planning a Successful Neighborhood Square
Insight from Barcelona and Portland on how to plan and design an active, welcoming neighborhood square.

Fuel Tax Hike Revolt Threatens French President Macron's Leadership
Anger at fuel tax increases planned for January, part of a pro-Green agenda espoused by President Emmanuel Macron, has sparked a populous movement involving hundreds of thousands of protestors that have taken to the streets, erupting into violence.

French Suburbs Join Paris in Diesel Ban
The ban on diesel cars now extends well beyond the city of Paris.
48 Global Cities Work on Regulatory Framework for Digital Platforms
During the Sharing Cities Summit 2018, cities such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Lisbon, Madrid, Montreal, New York, Paris, São Paulo, Seoul, Singapore, Stockholm, and Vienna agreed on a Declaration of Principles and Commitments of the Sharing Cities.
Smart Cities World Congress Opens its Biggest Event
Organized by Fira de Barcelona at its Gran Via venue, the event is the largest to date, with over 840 exhibiting companies, 700 attending cities and a 31% increase regarding exhibition space, occupying two pavilions for the first time.

TEDx: How Will Autonomous Vehicles Transform Cities?
Nico Larco presents a TEDx Talk on the impacts AVs will have on cities, including impacts on land use, land valuation, and the environment. AVs are more than just a transportation issue, and planners need to prepare for the coming changes.

The Trains of the Future Could Provide Much More Than Mobility
Renderings of Dutch trains imagine a variety of seating styles for a variety of activities, including working, socializing, and relaxing.

Court Upholds Paris' Car Ban Along the Seine
The ability of Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo to ban cars from the Seine Quays was at stake.

The Most Carbon-Intensive Component of Electric Vehicles Deserves Attention
It's well known that an electric vehicle is only as clean, from a greenhouse gas perspective, as the electricity it consumes to power it. A new study finds that the electricity used in the manufacturing of car batteries also must be considered.

France Could Implement Congestion Charging in Several Large Cities
France is considering a congestion charge for several of its largest cities, modeled after congestion charges in London, Singapore, and more.

To Improve U.S. Transit, Follow the Lead of Other Countries
The common refrain is that transit is just better in other countries. However, the reasons why are more complex than initial impressions allow, providing important lessons for the United States.
Volvo to Sell All-Electric Heavy Trucks in North America in 2020
Volvo gained attention last year by announcing it would stop making new internal combustion engine models. Now it plans to electrify its 2020 truck models as well. A demonstration program will be launched in Southern California next year.

More Diesel Driving Bans Coming to German Cities
Germany's automotive industry and Chancellor Angela Merkel are increasingly worried about the economic effects of court-sanctioned diesel driving bans to improve air quality, as enacted in Hamburg last May. Four more cities are likely to enact bans.
Pagination
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service