Infrastructure

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.

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.

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.

'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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gowanus Rezoning Clears New York's City Planning Commission
A controversial rezoning plan is moving toward the finish line in Brooklyn.

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.

'RideKC Next': High-Frequency Grid and On-Demand Service Coming in 2022
The transit system of the future is coming soon to Kansas City.

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.

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.

The Car-Free Revolution Continues in Paris
The city continues to reclaim space for pedestrians and cyclists.

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.
Pagination
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
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Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service