Infrastructure
Can Houston Overcome its Recycling Problem by Sorting Everything?
Houston's 14 percent recycling rate is downright dismal (San Francisco's is 80 percent). The city's entry in the Bloomberg Philanthropies' Mayor's Challenge seeks to change this by taking the onus off of individuals to decide what's recyclable.
With GE Partnership, Google Maps Goes Underground
GE and Google maps have announced a new partnership that could lead to significant advances in the way infrastructure is planned, cataloged, and maintained, reports Michael V. Copeland.
Are Visions of a Thriving Chicago River Just Pipe Dreams?
Engineering marvel, polluted sewer, magnet for development - the Chicago River has worn many hats in its day. For its next role, can it become an "example of environmental innovation and ecological stewardship"?
$850 Million Expansion Planned for Boston's South Station
Governor Deval Patrick is set to unveil a key piece of his multi-billion dollar plan for reinvigorating Massachusetts' beleaguered transportation system: an $850 million expansion of congested South Station. Martine Powers describes the project.
Off-shore Wind Energy: Bogged Down in Regulations
Creating a centralized authority for approving infrastructure projects can help the U.S. to meet environmental goals, experts say.
Britain Offers Planning Expertise for Nine New Indian Cities
On a recent visit to India, UK Prime Minister David Cameron offered his country's assistance in planning and developing nine new cities along a 600-mile corridor linking Mumbai and Bangalore by 2030.
Should Power Utility Customers Pay for Road Projects?
WI Gov. Scott Walker's proposal is to sell-off state assets, primarily state power plants to finance his transportation plan, thus linking rate payers with funding road projects. His transportation commission recommended raising the gas tax and fees.
Could New York be Carbon-Free by 2050?
A new report shows that New York City could be 90 percent carbon-free by 2050, "without breaking the bank," if it upgrades heating systems and transportation to renewable electricity, reports Taz Loomans.
Obama Outlines Infrastructure Strategy
Today, President Obama is expected to flesh out the details of his plan to repair the nation’s ailing infrastructure. John Schwartz details the initiatives, which aim to circumvent Congress and capitalize on private investment.
For L.A. to Thrive, it's Time to Think Small
L.A. stands at a critical juncture in the city's development, with an opportunity to embrace new patterns of land use that break with its postwar history. To seize this opportunity, the city will have to build incrementally, argues Peter Zellner.
Infrastructure: By-Passing Tomorrow for Easy Implementation Today
We solve problems with over-engineered, anti-urban infrastructure schemes even though we have no plan for funding their future maintenance obligations. Howard Blackson uses San Diego as an example, and offers up some pedestrian-oriented solutions.
Realigning Nature and the City
Using two paradigms addressing synergies of nature and the city, Chuck Wolfe contrasts gradually merging animal and human habitats in the United States with calculated greening of city spaces overseas.
Livable Cities Awards Enable Healthy Urban Infrastructure
Rain water collection in Yemen, shaded bus shelters in Uganda and a pop-up modular park in Argentina are the legacy of Philips's Livable Cities Awards.
With Major Bills Expiring, Can the House Find a Path Forward for Infrastructure Improvements?
Updating the U.S.'s aging infrastructure requires legislative common sense, says Rep. Bill Shuster.
Burned by Sandy, Hoboken Seeks to Become Model for Hurricane Resilience
The low-lying city of 50,000 across the Hudson River from Manhattan was badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy. Mayor Dawn Zimmer wants to city to serve as a model for how to develop a uniquely urban approach to extreme storm preparation.
MIT Shows its Love for 'Advanced Urbanism'
This week, reports Orhan Ayyüce, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology announced the launch of "a major new research center focused on the planning, design, construction and retrofitting of urban environments for the 21st century."
The Enduring Attraction of Containerized Urbanism
Architectural historian Mitchell Schwarzer traces the historic roots of container architecture and argues that today's shipping container developments, like Proxy in San Francisco, are leading the way to a new kind of urbanism.
Valentines for City Enthusiasts
If you're looking for the perfect Valentine's Day card for the planning enthusiast in your life, search no further. Five different Valentines show appreciation for cities and the people that live in them.
Could New York's Bike Gains Disappear Under New Mayor?
Under Mayor Bloomberg's tenure, New York City has made great strides in improving its bicycle infrastructure. But as his final term comes to an end, some fear the next mayor may "end this period of bike-friendly programs and policies."
State of the Union Recap: Energy, Economy, Infrastructure and Environment
In an address heavy on President Obama's domestic agenda for the first year of his second term, issues of importance to planners and urbanists got plenty of play, including: the environment, energy, infrastructure, and the economy.
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
