Infrastructure

What Is Green Infrastructure and Why Does it Matter?

From traditional stormwater management to storm surge abatement and conserving drinking water and watersheds, green infrastructure improves our cities, explains Adrian Benepe of the Trust for Public Land.

April 22, 2013 - Sustainable Cities Collective

Walking: America's Next Medical Breakthrough

A group of America's leading corporations, health care providers, and government officials are preparing to launch a national walking movement this fall. "If walking was a pill or surgical procedure, it would be on 60 Minutes,” says Dr. Bob Sallis.

April 22, 2013 - Citiwire.net

Water Sensitive Urban Design Slakes Thirst for Sustainability

The world's increasing water crises demand a new approach to managing the urban water cycle. Water sensitive urban design seeks to integrate water into urban environments, rather than isolating it, to create more livable cities.

April 19, 2013 - The Guardian

Atlanta Sets its Sights on Biking Boost

With a burgeoning bike culture that saw the fastest rise in bike commuting in America from 2000-2009, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed has recognized the potential in this grassroots growth by announcing the goal of being a top-ten cycling city by 2016.

April 19, 2013 - WNYC: Transportation Nation

Copenhagen Zeroes In on Carbon-Neutral Goal

Justin Gerdes discusses the variety of tactics the city of Copenhagen is utilizing in its march to become the world's first carbon-neutral capital by 2025.

April 18, 2013 - The Guardian

80-Acre Site in Queens to Test Prototypes for Storm Resiliency

While a massive redevelopment project waits to proceed, an 80-acre oceanfront site in the Far Rockaway neighborhood of New York City will host a competition to advance concepts for resilient waterfront development, reports Matt Chaban.

April 18, 2013 - Crain's New York Business

Maryland Suburb Fights Sidewalks

The DC metropolitan area has a largely suburban character inherited from an era when cars were the only conceivable form of transportation. Efforts to expand sidewalk infrastructure are meeting resistance, especially in University Hill.

April 18, 2013 - Washington Post

Gas Tax or VMT Fee? Experts Debate How to Fund Transportation

In this special "Energy: Squaring Off" section, experts take opposing sides on six energy issues - the first being how best to pay for transportation. Carl Davis of the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy vs. Robert Poole of Reason Foundation.

April 17, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

Skywalk Plan Threatens Cleveland's Budding Street Life

A downtown Cleveland casino is pushing to build a skywalk to connect to its parking garage located across the street. Recognizing the anti-urban implications of the plan, an unlikely activist has organized opposition to the project.

April 17, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Miami Tops When it Comes to Roadway Efficiency

Miami probably isn't the first city you think of when it comes to the efficiency of its road infrastructure. New York, yes. San Francisco or Boston, maybe. But Miami? Chris Dickersin-Prokopp explains the surprising results culled from census data.

April 16, 2013 - Greater Greater Washington

Transportation Budget: "Where's The Beef, Mr. President?"

Kathryn W. Wolfe takes President Obama to task on his fiscal 2014, $77 billion transportation budget - not in where the money goes but where it comes from. How often can the 'peace dividend' be justifiably used as a funding source?

April 16, 2013 - Politico

6 Risks of Public-Private Partnerships

Public agencies need money to finance their projects. Private investors see opportunities for a decent return. Sounds like a perfect marriage, no? Not so fast, says Laura Barrett, who outlines 6 reasons to be wary of public-private partnerships.

April 15, 2013 - Rooflines

Chicago's Infrastructure Trust: A Guide for Funding Projects, or Building Bad Deals?

Tim Logan dives deep on Mayor Rahm Emanuel's bold plan to help fund Chicago's infrastructure improvements with private capital. American cities need new ways to pay for projects, but can a city with a history of making bad deals provide the road map?

April 14, 2013 - Next City

Ugly L.A.

L.A. Looks Ugly; But Is That So Wrong?

The quality of L.A.'s public structures falls far below its remarkable private residences. Greg Goldin argues why we should see the beauty in its greatest creations: its infrastructure and evolving collection of noisy storefronts.

April 13, 2013 - Zocalo Public Square

California Governor Travels Far and Wide in Search of Bullet Train Investors

Although it was initiated long before his current term in office, Governor Jerry Brown has hitched his legacy to moving along California's high-speed rail project. He recently ventured to China in search of funding.

April 13, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Women Cyclists Key to Saudi Arabia's Biking Future

An impending lift of the ban on women cyclists could generate investment in much-needed biking infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

April 13, 2013 - Next City

Transportation and Community Revitalization a Focus of Obama's 2014 Budget

In President Obama's newly released 2014 budget proposal, planners will find much to applaud. But what are the chances those nuggets will survive the contentious negotiations to come?

April 11, 2013 - APA Policy News

Paolo Soleri, Visionary Who Merged Architecture with Environmentalism, Dies at 93

Soleri, the founder of the experiential community of Arcosanti, who in many ways presaged the modern sustainability movement, passed away on Tuesday at Cosanti, his home in Paradise Valley, Arizona.

April 10, 2013 - The New York Times

What Infrastructure Crisis?

Evan Soltas pens a contrarian take on the state of America's infrastructure, equating those who repeatedly warn of crumbling roads and bridges to a bunch of "Chicken Littles."

April 10, 2013 - Bloomberg View

Study: NY State Could Be Powered Entirely by Renewables by 2030

Experts say the switch to renewables has more to do with political will and market forces than available technologies.

April 10, 2013 - Huffington Post

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.