Infrastructure

Michigan

Climate Change in Action: Massive Storms, Dam Failures

The dam failures that sent residents of Michigan scrambling last week can be connected to the extreme weather events created by climate change, according to experts.

May 24, 2020 - Inside Climate News

Virgin Trains USA

Virgin Trains USA Not Restarting Service Yet

The closely monitored private rail company says it has no plans to reopen in Florida any time soon, even as the state relaxes its stay-at-home orders and intercity rail in other parts of the country prepares to restart.

May 24, 2020 - Bloomberg

Boise Idaho

Popularity of Opportunity Zone Program Grows During the Pandemic

Investors are looking for safe places to park capital gains as volatility roils the stock market. Opportunity zone programs fit the bill.

May 22, 2020 - Bisnow

Alternative Transportation

Electric Bike Sales Explode as Cities Rethink Streetscapes

North America has experienced a 5% jump in rates of cycling since the U.S. started staying home. As electric bikes enjoy impressive sales increases, cities around the world consider making the shift permanent by planning bike-friendly infrastructure.

May 22, 2020 - The Verge

Women Public Space

Adapting Public Engagement to Social Distancing

TransitCenter published a new report on the emerging practices of public engagement at a time when large gatherings have been prohibited.

May 21, 2020 - TransitCenter

Wood Construction

Proposed Mass Timber High-Rise In Seattle Adds Six Stories

A proposal for the development of a mass timber high-rise in First Hill is under community review in Seattle. The project, which adjusted plans to add an additional 6 floors, proposes the tallest mass timber building in Seattle.

May 21, 2020 - Capitol Hill Seattle Blog

R.H. Thomson Expressway

'Ramps to Nowhere' Will Come Down in Seattle as New Debates Heat Up

The history of Seattle's opposition to car infrastructure is being commemorated while it's being made.

May 20, 2020 - Crosscut

Midland, Michigan,

Dams Break in Michigan: Nation's Crumbling Infrastructure Takes Center Stage Again

Reports of catastrophic infrastructure failure today in Michigan, a state already facing some of the worst consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.

May 20, 2020 - CNN

BART Station construction

History in the Making: BART Extension into San Jose Ready for June Opening

Twenty years after voters first approved funding to build a BART extension into the heart of the South Bay Area, the project is finally ready to offer rides to the public.

May 20, 2020 - The Mercury News

Urban Planning Model

New Ideas in Urban Research

Findings from graduating doctoral students undertaking urban-related research.

May 20, 2020 - Penn IUR Urban Link

110 Freeway

Economic Downturn Could Cost California More Than $10 Billion in Transportation Revenue

The effects of the economic downturn resulting from the public health crisis presented by Covid-19 could have long-term impacts on the ability of California to plan and build new transportation infrastructure.

May 19, 2020 - Mineta Transportation Institute

Food Pantry

An Antiracist Planning and Policy Response to the Coronavirus

What would a crisis response that finally overcomes the history of slavery and structural racism in the United States look like?

May 18, 2020 - Next City

Coronavirus and Transportation

$23.8 Billion More in Federal Relief Requested for Public Transit Agencies

U.S. transit agencies are hemorrhaging money as the majority of riders avoid trains and buses. People still need public transit, and public transit needs help to weather the storm.

May 18, 2020 - Smart Cities Dive

New York City Park

Report: New York City Public Parks Under Stress Due to Budget Cuts and Lack of Private Funding

The private non-profit organizations that support half of New York City's public parks anticipate up to a 60% decrease in funding at a time when people rely on parks more than ever before.

May 18, 2020 - The Architect's Newspaper

Mayor Sadiq Khan

London Doubles Down on Vehicle Restrictions

A plan to completely overhaul the streets of London will require a "monumental" effort by all residents of the city, according to the mayor of London.

May 18, 2020 - Mayor of London

Al Fresco Gelato

Berkeley Could Redefine the Al Fresco Streets Movement

The city of Berkeley is pursuing an aggressive plan to open the streets for outdoor dining as an economic development tool for local commercial businesses.

May 17, 2020 - Eater San Francisco

Water Storage

Big Reservoir Planned for California Scaled Back Due to Lack of Funds

Missed in the non-stop coronavirus coverage of the past several months: plans to build a massive reservoir in North California have been scaled back dramatically.

May 14, 2020 - The Mercury News

Social Distancing

Scenario Planning for Pandemic Recovery

The planner who wrote the book on the emerging practice of scenario planning offers advice on how the tool can be helpful in planning for the pandemic.

May 14, 2020 - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

Solar Power

Approved Nevada Solar Project Would Be the Nation's Largest

Putting the scale in utility-scale solar.

May 13, 2020 - Greentech Media

Maryland Transit Administration

Central Maryland Regional Transit Plan: First Regional Transit Plan for Baltimore Since 2002

Transit planners in the Baltimore area are working on plans for a more reliable, useful regional transit system.

May 13, 2020 - Greater Greater Washington

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.