Infrastructure

Worker performing maintenance work on the Brooklyn Bridge, New York City

Why Infrastructure Costs So Much

A new book details what planners already know: cost estimates for major infrastructure projects are usually a farce. Another book foretells just how much new infrastructure will be needed in the coming waves of climate migration.

April 14, 2023 - California Planning & Development Report

Interstate 787 with Albany buildings in background

Freeway Removal Projects Gain Momentum

Thanks to decades of activism and newly available federal funding, state and local governments are starting to understand the negative impacts of highway construction and working to reverse the effects on cities around the nation.

April 13, 2023 - Congress For New Urbanism

A piece of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge while under construction.

How the Discount Rate Impacts Future Generations

A wonky policy tool can have significant effects on how public and private money is spent.

April 13, 2023 - Vox

Rendering of proposed South Loop Link Park over I 670 in Kansas City, MO

Kansas City Requests State Funding for Freeway Cap Park

The city has been working to raise $200 million to create a 5.5 acre park spanning a portion of Interstate 670.

April 13, 2023 - KCUR

Grassy wildlife crossing overpass over a multilane road in The Netherlands

USDOT Federal Grant Program Will Fund Wildlife Crossings

The funding will support projects that reduce the risk of vehicle-wildlife collisions and improve habitat connectivity.

April 13, 2023 - U.S. Department Of Transportation

Bike Infrastructure

New York Cyclist Deaths Spike, Worrying Bike Advocates

The number of people killed on bikes in the city has already surpassed 2018’s total for the entire year.

April 13, 2023 - Curbed

Cars on highway in Colorado with snow-capped mountains in background

Audit Finds Colorado DOT Contracting Process Inconsistent

A state audit criticized the agency for taking a haphazard approach to awarding contracts for major projects.

April 12, 2023 - The Denver Post

Walkable DC

Opinion: Surprised by Your Neighborhood’s Walkability Score? Don't Be.

A cautionary tale of using indices.

April 12, 2023 - Miriam Pinski

Electirc vehicle charing stations are visible in the parking lot of a Walmart store.

Walmart to Expand EV Charging Facilities to Thousands of U.S. Locations

A private effort will make a major contribution to the domestic capacity for electric vehicles.

April 11, 2023 - Walmart

A rendering of a proposed bike lane project, with a two-way bike lane in the center of the street.

Center-Running Bike Lane Pilot Project Approved on Dangerous S.F. Street

A plan to reconfigure Valencia Street between 15th and 23rd streets in San Francisco has been approved despite stiff opposition from community members and bike advocates.

April 10, 2023 - The San Francisco Standard

Lynx Blue Line

Charlotte Area Transit System Gets an Ultimatum: Fill Staffing Gaps or Cease Operations

The Charlotte Area Transit System must fully staff its Rail Operating Control Center or else. It’s only the latest challenge for the city’s troubled light rail transit system.

April 10, 2023 - Charlotte Observer

A map of the METRORapid University Corridor Project, showing the various stops along the proposed line.

25.3-Mile BRT Route Approved for Houston’s University Corridor

The METRORapid University Corridor bus rapid transit route will become the backbone of the Houston Metro system.

April 10, 2023 - Houston Chronicle

Close-up of crosswalk button for blind pedestrians labeled "button for audible signal only"

Chicago Found Liable for ADA Violations

A federal judge ruled that the city fails to provide “meaningful access” to many of its streets due to a lack of infrastructure for pedestrians with vision impairments at most of the city’s intersections.

April 10, 2023 - WGN

Aerial view of Edmonds, Washington with road in foreground and buidings surrounded by trees

Checking in on Washington State’s Complete Streets Law

A new requirement that mandates bike and pedestrian improvements on state road projects is starting to pay off with real commitments to Complete Streets infrastructure.

April 9, 2023 - The Urbanist

Rendering of California high-speed rail train viaduct with arches

CA High-Speed Rail’s Latest Challenge: Floodwater

The historic precipitation that fell on the state of California in past months poses a unique and unanticipated threat to the state’s big infrastructure project in the Central Valley.

April 7, 2023 - The Fresno Bee

Silver Houston Silver Line bus at a dedicated bus rapid transit station

Houston Metro Proposes Undergrounding BRT Line

To ease community concerns, the agency is proposing an underpass in lieu of a prior plan that would have elevated a new rapid transit line above a portion of its downtown route.

April 6, 2023 - Houston Chronicle

View of joggers on Brooklyn Bridge Park trail in foreground with Brooklyn-Queens Expressway traffic in background and brick buildings behind the highway

Expressway Expansion Could Threaten Brooklyn Bridge Park

Supporters of the waterfront park worry NYCDOT’s plan to potentially widen the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway could reduce green space in “one of the most expensive urban parks ever built.”

April 6, 2023 - StreetsBlog NYC

Rendering of station for California High-Speed Rail train

Starpower Hired to Design California High-Speed Rail Station

The planning, engineering, and design team will develop the first four Central Valley stations on the train line.

April 5, 2023 - Foster + Partners

Boise Idaho

Proposed Update to Boise Zoning Code Would Boost Density, Discourage Sprawl

A years-long process has culminated in a proposal that would encourage the creation of affordable housing, promote transit-oriented development, and position the city for less car-oriented growth.

April 5, 2023 - Idaho Statesman

Denver Rail

Denver-Area Rail Service Disruptions Expected During Maintenance Work

RTD is beginning maintenance on retaining walls along its southeastern light rail lines that is expected to last roughly six months.

April 4, 2023 - The Denver 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.