Infrastructure

WeWork's Real Estate Arm Launches 'Future Cities' Initiative
Another buzzy tech company with roots in the real estate market has designs on the "smart cities" revolution.

New Secretary Confirmed at the U.S. Department of the Interior
The politics of the Department of the Interior under the Trump administration aren't likely to change, but new Secretary David Bernhardt is distinguishable from his predecessor thanks to a long history of oil industry lobbying.

Budget Overruns Put the Brakes on Seattle's Bicycle Master Plan
After initial projects funded by the 2015 Move Seattle levy came in well over budget, the city of Seattle will now have extra pressure to choose impactful projects while reducing the scope of its Bicycle Master Plan.
New York City to Reduce Truck Emissions by Investing in Freight Rail Infrastructure
The Big Apple may claim the nation's highest public transit ridership, but it ranks well below average in its use of freight rail. Two small short line railroads are at the center of a $100 million investment to reduce truck reliance.

Bus/Bike Lanes Find Support in Chicago
A temporary bus/bike lane experiment could lead to permanent additions around the city.

More of the Same From Ohio's Post-Gas Tax Funding Decisions
Just days after the state approved a significant increase on its gas tax, and the state legislature is focusing much more on road projects than public transit.

Oregon Could Be Next to Legalize the Idaho Stop
The Oregon State Legislature is moving forward with Senate Bill 998, which includes an amendment that would legalize the practice of rolling through stop signs and blinking red lights on a bike when no car traffic is present.

Historic Drought Plan Approved by Congress
The Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan will head to President Trump's desk for an expected signature before heading back to seven states for final ratification.

Rather Than Banning Cars, Amsterdam Reduces On-Street Parking
Amsterdam will pursue the Oslo model of targeting parking spots, rather than driving bans, to make for a walk-and-bike friendly city. On-street parking spaces will gradually be replaced, starting July 1, with bike lanes, sidewalks, and trees.

Provincial Takeover of Subway Planning in Toronto Underway
Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a new plan for subway expansion in Toronto today.

Bay Area Transportation Planners Breathing Easier After Court Ruling
A total of $4.5 billion in road and transit projects was at stake in a state taxpayer group's lawsuit against a regional ballot measure approved by voters in June 2018.

Study Measures the Economic Impact of Public Transit in the Cleveland Region
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority faces constant threats of budget cuts and service reductions, but its impact on the regional economic is vast.

Portland Completes Massive 20 MPH Speed Limit Overhaul
All of Portland's 3,000 miles of residential streets now have a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour. Similar changes could be coming to more Oregon cities in the future.

Bill to Ban Red Light Cameras Statewide Can't Get Past the Texas Legislature
A committee chair changed his mind about the consequences of a bill that would ban red light cameras in the entire state of Texas. The legislator didn't want, to paraphrase, blood on his hands.

Toronto Streetcar Experiment Likely to Be Made Permanent
The city of Toronto did something radical and gave its streetcar its own lane on King Street as part of a pilot project launched in 2018. The results included improved service and increased ridership.

New Bike Infrastructure Standard Set in Cambridge
Cambridge, Massachusetts has made a thorough commitment to building robust bike infrastructure with every street repair project.

Report: Modest Congestion Charge Would Produce Dramatic Results in Los Angeles
Applying a cordon toll as low as $4 in Los Angeles would result in a 20% reduction in traffic congestion and modest increases in transit ridership, walking, and biking, according to a new study from the Southern California Association of Governments.

Atlanta to Open School Properties as Public Parks
A new pilot program in Atlanta will test a joint-use arrangement that opens public school properties in the evenings and on weekends to provide park space for the public. The effect would be significant.

Barcelona's Ambitious Plan to Become a Post-Car City
Barcelona is planning to expand on its initial superblock experiment in an attempt to ease the stranglehold of car congestion and air pollution gripping the dense city.

Congressional Bill Would Offer a Bigger Tax Break for People Who Bike to Work
A bi-partisan bill till early in the federal legislative process would expand a very small tax incentive for people who ride a bike to work.
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