Infrastructure

Self-Driving Cars

How Cities Can Plan For the Rise of Autonomous Vehicles

When cars first started proliferating on American roads, it led to increased sprawl and flight from central cities. What can we do now to prevent the same problem as AVs become more widespread?

October 6, 2021 - Streetsblog USA

Megabus

Philadelphia's Intercity Bus Riders Are Getting Shortchanged

Despite the popularity of intercity bus services, most users have to wait on unshaded sidewalks with none of the amenities of traditional bus depots.

October 6, 2021 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Austin Bus

Coming Soon to Austin: More Electric Buses, Two New High-Frequency Lines

Austin's transit agency is accelerating its move toward an all-electric fleet with the addition of 200 new electric buses.

October 6, 2021 - KUT

New York Public Transit

Transit Riders Want An Improved Experience Post-Pandemic, Survey Says

A survey of public transit users indicates riders want to see more tech features that improve their experience, such as trip planning and improved payment platforms.

October 6, 2021 - Governing

Open Streets

The Role of Play in Public Space Design

'Playable' public spaces can be a powerful tool for creating vibrant, communal, and equitable cities.

October 5, 2021 - StreetsBlog NYC

Houston Light Rail Transit

Houston Area Loses $64 Million in Federal Transportation Funds Due to Delays and Lack of Oversight

The funding was directed to congestion mitigation, air quality, and transportation alternatives projects.

October 5, 2021 - Houston Chronicle

A "Road Work Ahead" lies neglected on the ground next to a street in Boise, Idaho.

State Law Preempts Federal Transit Relief Funding in Idaho

Idaho state law prevents local voters from implementing the sales taxes that generate revenue to match federal funding for transportation projects, taking local and regional projects out of the running for many federal grant programs.

October 5, 2021 - Magic Valley

Traffic in Manhattan New York

New York Mayor's 'Gridlock Alerts' Go Unheeded

Mobility advocates say the city must do more to make transit and alternative transportation modes more convenient for drivers.

October 5, 2021 - Streetsblog New York City

Boulder Colorado

Boulder County Asks for Binding Agreement From RTD for More Transit Service

County officials claim the region has not seen improved transit service despite the infusion of federal funding aimed at increasing service in small urbanized areas.

October 4, 2021 - Colorado Public Radio

Sound Transit Seattle

The Northgate Link Extension Is Great, But Voters Want More

A recent survey of Seattle voters finds widespread support for the continued expansion of the Link light rail system in Seattle.

October 3, 2021 - Seattle Transit Blog

Vancouver, British Columbia

Bloomberg Philanthropies Announces New Round of Asphalt Art Initiative Grants

Bloomberg Philanthropies is funding projects that take an artistic approach to traffic safety.

October 3, 2021 - Bloomberg Philanthropies

New Orleans Freeway

Outdated State and Federal Road Design Rules Hinder Freeway Removal

Although some cities are in favor of removing or reducing urban freeways in favor of more walkable spaces, guidelines like the 11-year-old MUTCD still encourage a 'throughput at all costs' mentality.

October 1, 2021 - Governing

Washington D.C. Protest

Climate Change Expected to Displace 216 Million People by 2050, Report Says

The time to start preparing for mass migration spurred by climate change is already here.

September 30, 2021 - Quartz

Western Hills Viaduct in the West End, Cincinnati, Ohio

Sales Tax Could Fully Fund Cincinnati Viaduct

One of Southwest Ohio's most urgent infrastructure projects would move forward if the SORTA board approves a recent proposal to allocate Issue 7 funding to the replacement plan for the Western Hills Viaduct.

September 30, 2021 - Cincinnati Enquirer

Seattle, Washington

A State-by-State Wish List for Federal Infrastructure Funding

States have a laundry list of major projects they'd like to see funded if the trillion-dollar infrastructure package passes.

September 29, 2021 - New York Times

A fence shows a walkway to the beach in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Proposed Law Would Open Beach Access in Massachusetts

It's harder to access the ocean in Massachusetts than any other coastal state in the country, but that could soon change.

September 29, 2021 - The Boston Globe

A TriMet MAX Red Line light rail train heading for the Portland International Airport comes to a stop at Pioneer Place in downtown Portland.

MAX Red Line Extension Wins Federal Funding in Portland

The "A Better Red" project won the federal funding it needed from the federal Transit Administration's Capital Investment Grants program.

September 29, 2021 - Federal Transit Administration

A rendering showing a planned freeway improvement project that will create a "lid" over State Route 520 for use as public open space.

Seattle Freeway Lid Expected by 2030

When complete, the SR 520 Montlake Project will reorganize the street grid to provide new connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists.

September 29, 2021 - Capitol Hill Seattle Blog

I-71 I-70 Columbus OH

The Most Unsafe Road in Ohio: A Five-Mile Stretch of Interstate in Columbus

Traffic safety analysis inspires debate about the culprit (drivers or engineers?) on the least safe stretch of road in the Buckeye State.

September 29, 2021 - The Columbus Dispatch

Washington D.C.

D.C. Considers Centering Equity in Transportation and Land Use Planning Decisions

A plan to prioritize equity would, according to regional planners, increase access to jobs and resources, reduce emissions, and improve public health.

September 29, 2021 - 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.