Infrastructure

Harvey Floods Houston

NPR: HUD Sells Flood-Prone Homes Without Disclosing Risks

The troubling trend is particularly pronounced in lower-income communities, where experts worry households are being inadvertently set up for big financial losses.

September 28, 2021 - NPR

Toronto Sidewalk

Student-Designed Cool Sidewalk Could Reduce 'Urban Heat Island' Effect

Researchers at the University of New Mexico created a sidewalk design using materials that would reduce heat absorption and require fewer materials than traditional concrete sidewalks.

September 28, 2021 - University of New Mexico

Seattle Transit

Northgate Link Extension—Opening This Weekend—Expected to Transform Seattle in More Ways Than One

The long awaited Northgate Link Extension, which will connect rapidly changing neighborhoods in North Seattle to downtown in 14 minutes, will open to the public on Saturday, October 2.

September 28, 2021 - The Seattle Times

A map focused on the city of Lehi, Utah, showing Interstate 15, which runs through the city.

'Quality of Life' Award for Utah Freeway Widening Prompts Criticism, Debate

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials recently announced that the Utah Department of Transportation had won the "Quality of Life/Community Development" award. A social media pile on commenced.

September 28, 2021 - The Washington Post

Silicon Valley aerial view

How the AI Economy is Shaping Cities

Like other technologies, artificial intelligence tech seems to be clustering in a small group of cities, prompting questions about its uneven deployment.

September 27, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Bikes and Kids

Opinion: Car-Centric Cities Hurt Kids

Designing neighborhoods with children in mind could reduce traffic fatalities and improve the health and well-being of kids.

September 27, 2021 - Streetsblog USA

Trees

How the Phoenix Tree Canopy Affects Urban Temperatures

As extreme weather intensifies, cities are using trees to mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce energy consumption.

September 27, 2021 - Vox

Chicago Bikers

Chicago Dismantles Leland 'Slow Street' Three Months Early

Citing neighborhood concerns, the city is ending the Slow Street program on Leland Street as more parks and beaches reopen, but advocates want to see more permanent traffic calming measures.

September 27, 2021 - Streetsblog Chicago

Port Authority of Allegheny County

New Long-Range Transit Plan Adopted for Pittsburgh Area

A long list of transit projects is included in the NEXTransit long-range plan approved recently by the Port Authority of Allegheny County.

September 27, 2021 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Aerial view of Houston Ship Channel with container ships

Why Texas's $29 Billion Coastal Protection Plan Is Needed

The Houston Chronicle editorial board argues for the construction of the so-called 'Ike Dike,' but warns that more investment is needed to protect the South Texas coast from future storms.

September 24, 2021 - Houston Chronicle

14th Street Traffic

Open Letter to D.C. Mayor Calls for End to Traffic Violence

After a driver fatally struck a toddler, D.C.-area pedestrian and cycling advocates ask the District to take stronger action to prevent traffic fatalities.

September 24, 2021 - Greater Greater Washington

Seattle Transit

Sound Transit To Receive $3.84 Billion in Federal Loans

The funding will support the financing of six projects, including the Downtown Redmond Link Extension.

September 23, 2021 - U.S. Department Of Transportation

Chelsea Square Restaurant in Chelsea in in New York

Arlington County to Explore Permanent Outdoor Dining Options

As emergency ordinances passed during the pandemic are set to expire, county officials will consider making some pandemic dining accommodations permanent.

September 23, 2021 - Arl Now

Brooklyn, New York City

Gowanus Rezoning Clears New York's City Planning Commission

A controversial rezoning plan is moving toward the finish line in Brooklyn.

September 23, 2021 - The Real Deal

Robert Moses at the ribbon-cutting for the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge

Who Is Robert Moses?

Known to some as the 'master builder' and to others as a villain in the history of New York City's development, Robert Moses was an influential and controversial city official who guided the construction of hundreds of projects in the mid-20th century.

September 22, 2021 - Diana Ionescu

Kansas Transportation

'RideKC Next': High-Frequency Grid and On-Demand Service Coming in 2022

The transit system of the future is coming soon to Kansas City.

September 22, 2021 - RideKC

On-Street Parking

ITDP's New On-Street Parking Pricing Guidebook

This report explores strategies for efficient and equitable parking management with an emphasis on pricing. These strategies enable cities to reallocate space for bus lanes, bicycle lanes, wider sidewalks, and pickup zones, and generate revenue.

September 22, 2021 - Institute for Transportation and Development Policy

Smokestack with billowing smoke

Largest Carbon Capture Plant in the World Opens in Iceland

The plant draws carbon from the atmosphere and turns it to stone in underground wells, but the technology remains relatively expensive.

September 22, 2021 - Quartz

Seine

The Car-Free Revolution Continues in Paris

The city continues to reclaim space for pedestrians and cyclists.

September 22, 2021 - Slate

A historic image of the various highways and transportation modes planned around the create of Interstate 980 in Oakland, California.

Removing Urban Highways Can Improve Neighborhoods Blighted by Decades of Racist Policies

More money from the infrastructure bill now moving through Congress should go toward dismantling racist infrastructure in the United States, according to this article.

September 21, 2021 - The Conversation

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.