Infrastructure

Leaky Pipes will Cost Los Angeles at least $1.3 Billion to Fix

The Los Angeles Times offers a broadly ranging, interactive feature on the decrepit state of Los Angeles' water infrastructure.

February 19, 2015 - Los Angeles Times

I-94 to Expand Out (Not Up) in Milwaukee

Wisconsin state transportation officials have settled on a plan to expand the I-94 freeway in Milwaukee—instead of building a double deck freeway through a cemetery the plan is too widen the freeway without disturbing an human remains.

February 19, 2015 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Austin Texas

How Austin Paved Paradise and Put up a Parking Lot

A local blogger takes umbrage with claims that Austin's density is causing its traffic problems. The obvious problem with that argument: Austin is 68% as dense now as it was in 1950.

February 18, 2015 - Car Free Austin

Changing the 'How' and the 'What' in Infrastructure Spending

When it comes to infrastructure, we are frequently reminded of the consequences of not repairing roads and bridges. Two prolific transportation writers recently changed the focus to where the money is spent.

February 17, 2015 - CityLab

The Best and the Worst Airports to Access

If you want great access to an airport, go overseas—that's the main finding of a study by Golden Gateway Alliance, a Manhattan-based airport advocacy organization. Tied for dead-last in terms of access is Denver and a certain New York airport.

February 17, 2015 - New York Post

Atlanta Voters to Decide on $250 Million Infrastructure Bond

States aren't the only ones looking for new ways to fund crumbling transportation infrastructure. Atlanta voters, for instance, will consider a $250 infrastructure bond proposal in the March election.

February 16, 2015 - Atlanta Creative Loafing

GOP Lawmakers Target the Federal Transit Subsidy for Cuts

A transit subsidy established in 1983 during the Reagan Administration is under attack by GOP lawmakers in Washington D.C.

February 15, 2015 - The Hill

Failing Infrastructure Strikes the Beltway

Driving under a structurally deficient bridge took on a whole new meaning, even for those with the Beltway, when concrete fell on a passing vehicle under a bridge awaiting repair in Prince George's County, Md. on Feb. 10. The driver was OK.

February 15, 2015 - The Washington Post

Pop Up Plaza in Louisville

Part Two: Should MoMA Tout Tactical Urbanism(s) as a Solution to Uneven Growth?

The second and final post about MoMa's exhibit, "Uneven Growth: Tactical Urbanisms for Expanding Megacities."

February 13, 2015 - Mike Lydon

New Jersey's Transportation Legacy: Cheap Gas, Bad Roads and Bridges

NPR reports on the incipient movement among a dozen states considering raising gas taxes. It centers on New Jersey which arguably illustrates best the need to raise gas taxes to maintain roads and bridges, but it won't be easy, as the interviews show

February 13, 2015 - NPR

Report: the American Economy is Running Cleaner and Greener

Tim McDonnell shares news of a recent report outlining how Americans are using energy that offers climate change activists plenty of encouraging information.

February 12, 2015 - Mother Jones

Better Design and a 'Level of Service' for the Blind

Scott Schafer pens a column inspired by watching a visually impaired woman navigate a busy corner of Minneapolis. The question raised by the column: How can we improve level of service for the blind?

February 11, 2015 - Streets.MN

Greenprint 2015/2040 Plan Calls for 500 Miles of Greenways in the Memphis Region

A regional coalition has spent three years planning a network of greenspaces that will span in the Tri-State area surrounding Memphis, Tennessee. The Greenprint 2015/2040 plan was released to the public last week.

February 11, 2015 - Memphis Business Journal

A bus next to the re-located light rail station at Denver's Union Station

Trains Are Always Better than Buses, Right?

Josh Barro provide examples galore of why the answer to that question isn't always yes—where costly rail investment has been to the detriment of existing transit. His column targets proposed projects, such as New York's LaGuardia Airport AirTrain.

February 11, 2015 - New York Times - The Upshot

Dublin Skyline

Reading Cities Cover to Cover, and Why

Chuck Wolfe underscores the importance of a holistic view of urban places, referencing themes of common experience, aesthetics, feelings of happiness, safety, or security—a basic narrative of the city that often goes beyond first impressions.

February 11, 2015 - The Huffington Post

Report: Balance Needed for New York's Manhattan-Centric Transit System

The Regional Plan Association released a report this week finding New York's transit system to be irrationally skewed toward Manhattan service. The report proposes a list of capital projects to correct the imbalance.

February 11, 2015 - Regional Plan Association

Political Power Coalesces around I-345 Teardown Proposal in Dallas

The politics of urban highways will play out in Dallas in the coming years. A new political action committee, the Coalition for a New Dallas, will push for I-345 between downtown and Deep Ellum to be torn down.

February 10, 2015 - The Dallas Morning News

A $3 Billion Proposal to Engineer New Jersey's Passaic River

The Passaic River, upriver from Newark, is a chronic flood threat to the communities along its banks. But a new plan to build a permanent solution could also block access to the river.

February 10, 2015 - The Record

FLV California train

Is California's High Speed Rail the Transcontinental Railroad of its Time?

Journalist Kathleen Sharp, whose great-grandfather worked on the transcontinental railroad, draws comparisons between that epic achievement and the construction of California's high speed rail in this New York Times op-ed.

February 10, 2015 - The New York Times - Opinion

How 'Awful Transit Policy' Led a Man to Commute 21 Miles by Foot

Stephen Henderson pens a strongly worded response to the story of James Robertson, who commutes by foot up to 21 miles a day between Detroit and Rochester Hills. Robertson is a source of pride—the transit system that neglects the region, a disgrace.

February 9, 2015 - Detroit Free Press

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.

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The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.