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.

February 28, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

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.

February 26, 2013 - Wired

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"?

February 26, 2013 - OnEarth

$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.

February 25, 2013 - The Boston Globe

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.

February 25, 2013 - Huffington Post

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.

February 22, 2013 - The Economic Times

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.

February 22, 2013 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinal

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.

February 21, 2013 - Inhabitat

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.

February 20, 2013 - The New York Times

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.

February 19, 2013 - The Architect's Newspaper

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.

February 19, 2013 - PlaceShakers

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.

February 18, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

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.

February 16, 2013 - The Pop-Up City

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.

February 15, 2013 - The Washington Post

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.

February 14, 2013 - The New York Times

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."

February 14, 2013 - Archinect

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.

February 14, 2013 - Places Journal

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.

February 14, 2013 - CEOs For Cities

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."

February 13, 2013 - The New York Times

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.

February 13, 2013 - The Washington 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.