Infrastructure

An image of Washington D.C. with highways and the streaks from car head and tail lights in the foreground, and the Washington Monument in the background.

The History of Federal Infrastructure Funding: As Determined by the Founding Fathers

The ability of the federal government to fund, and define, infrastructure, owes itself to a history of state and federal leadership at the dawn of the nation's existence.

August 31, 2021 - The Washington Post

Bus Stop and Bike Lane

As Heat Waves Become More Common, Bus Shelters Are Needed to Keep Transit Riders Onboard

As climate change brings prolonged, intense heat waves to cities once associated with rain and cold weather will have to attend to the lack of shelter provided to bus and transit riders.

August 30, 2021 - The Seattle Times

Houston

Houston Transit Agency Moves Forward With Long-Range Plan Even as Revenue Falls

Despite reduced ridership during the COVID-19 pandemic, Houston Metro is pushing ahead with its $7.5 billion long-range transit plan.

August 29, 2021 - Houston Chronicle

Chicago, Illinois

Illinois Law Mandates Safety Studies at Fatal Intersections

Newly adopted legislation mandates a traffic study for all pedestrian fatalities and consideration of alternate road design options.

August 29, 2021 - Streetsblog Chicago

Water Treatment

San Diego Launches Massive Sewage Treatment Project

The ambitious Pure Water project is designed to reduce the city's dependence on imported water and limit the amount of sewage dumped into the ocean.

August 27, 2021 - San Diego Union-Tribune

A map of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Orange Line, highlighting the West Falls Church station.

One Million Square Feet of Transit Oriented Joint Development Advances in Northern Virginia

Fairfax County and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority have reached an agreement with a team of developers to add one million square feet of mixed-use development near a station on the Orange Line.

August 26, 2021 - Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

A map of the Keep It Moving Dallas feasibility study area along the I-345 Freeway in Dallas.

Columnist to Dallas: Tear Down That Freeway

Freeways have been removed before, but if the Texas Department of Transportation decides to tear down the I-345 freeway in Dallas, it would reflect a massive sea change in urban transportation planning.

August 26, 2021 - The Dallas Morning News

Wide shot of bridge overpasses under construction at the intersection of GA 400 and I-285 on July 22, 2019 in Atlanta, GA.

Highway Widening and Interchange Improvements a Headache for Atlanta Drivers

A road widening and interchange improvement project in Atlanta will have a dramatic impact on congestion for as much as a year.

August 26, 2021 - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Highway Construction

How the Environmental Review Process Privileges Highway Construction Over Transit

U.S. transit projects have a much harder time getting environmental approval than road projects, perpetuating the dominance of cars in U.S. transportation policy.

August 25, 2021 - Slate

Water rushes over a spillway at a large concrete dam.

Congressional Bills Could Hit Refresh on U.S. Dams

The 21st Century Dams Act, a proposal to remove four dams on the lower Snake River, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act all have a chance to redefine the country's approach to dams and watersheds.

August 25, 2021 - American Rivers

Fuel Break Wildfire

A New Approach to Wildfire Resilience: Property Buy Backs, Fire Resistant Parks

The city of Paradise is employing a natural hazard mitigation strategy long practiced in flood zones. The idea could be expanded in other places where wildland meets human development.

August 25, 2021 - NPR

Portland Street

How to End the Commute Nightmare

The pandemic let many people experience a commute-free lifestyle, but can we reduce rush-hour traffic as we make our return to physical workplaces?

August 25, 2021 - Governing

Inside Washington DC Union Station

D.C. Transit Implementing Major Changes, Hopes to Boost Ridership

Flat fares, reduced wait times, and extended late-night service are all part of a package of changes meant to bring riders back and adjust to post-pandemic travel patterns.

August 25, 2021 - Governing

Uber Car

California Judge Renders Gig Worker Law Unenforceable

A judge ruled against California's Proposition 22, which let ride-hailing and delivery businesses classify workers as independent contractors and discouraged unionization efforts.

August 24, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

Aerial view of the Great Highway, San Francisco

Battle Over San Francisco's Pedestrianized 'Great Highway'

Although the project has been hugely successful with local residents, the mayor and some county supervisors wanted to revert the road to vehicle use.

August 24, 2021 - San Francisco Chronicle

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Statewide Zoning Reform Proposed in Minnesota

The proposed Comprehensive Housing Affordability Act would trade development fees for zoning relief.

August 24, 2021 - The Center Square

A commemorative plaque documents the history of the Erie Canal: Opened in 1819, abandoned fall of 1917, an extra aqueduct built in 1841 to expand the canal, and a canal park built in 1932.

When Infrastructure Investments Go Wrong

The United States has a near perfect track record of building the infrastructure it thinks it needs. But the country and its various state and local governments, don't always get the vision right.

August 24, 2021 - Governing

An oil line extends into Resurrection Bay in Seward, Alaska.

Judge Halts Controversial Alaska Drilling project

The 'Willow' project would pump 600 million gallons of oil and emit 500 metric tons of carbon dioxide in the next 30 years.

August 22, 2021 - Inside Climate News

Amtrak Cascaded

Revised Amtrak Mandate Could Allow for 'Paradigm-Shifting' Changes

Language in the new infrastructure bill calls for the agency to prioritize ridership and service levels over profitability.

August 22, 2021 - Governing

Vermont BRT

To Regain Transit Ridership, Policymakers Must Address Land Use and Housing

More buses and trains alone won't bring back riders; other incentives are needed to boost ridership and encourage new users.

August 20, 2021 - Governing

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.