Austin

Commuting by Kayak Across Lake Austin
This story about man whose commute to work involves "water like glass" and chirping birds might make car commuters and straphangers envious.

Defining Key Zoning Code Terms for the Masses
What it means when planners use their words.

Austin's Capital Metro Makes Like Uber and Lets Users Hail Their Ride
Public transit is evolving to keep up with the conveniences offered by transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft. The question is whether it will work for the long haul.

State Legislation Forces Austin to Lift Ban on Lyft and Uber
A new Texas state law that regulates transportation network companies also overrides more restrictive local regulations, like Austin's requirement for fingerprinting drivers. Austin voters supported the tighter regulations at the ballot box last May.

Missing Middle Housing: An Austin Case Study
The "missing middle" of housing is a concept familiar to many planners, but it's still probably unknown to most of the public. A story for Austin's NPR station could be an indication that the missing middle is entering the public consciousness.

Black Market Bikeshare
NACTO complains that unsanctioned bikeshares are dangerous and inequitable, others counter these companies provide a valuable service that the market has shown a demand for.

Opinion: Gondolas Distract From the Realities of Transit
Gondolas seem to find their way into the public transit investment conversation again and again over the years, taking up space and air that could be devoted to more substantive issues of investment, maintenance, and operation.

Why SXSW Attendees Couldn't Embrace Transit
In short, transit wasn't really there. When transportation network services went down, people felt stranded. Transit friendliness can go a long way.

Can Rideshare Catch On Where It's Easy to Drive?
In medium-sized cities and suburban areas, it's simply easier to drive your own car in most cases. But shared rides might still have a chance to catch on.

SXSW Attendees Troubled by Austin's Lack of Uber
What happens when SXSW stops being polite, and starts getting real?

Op-Ed: Austin Still Needs Traditional Buses
Transportation network companies cannot duplicate transit service in outlying communities, argues Ryan Young.

Big Changes Coming for Austin Transit System
After a long survey process, Austin looking to update its transit system focusing on frequency on its busiest routes.

Mapping Austin's Residential Demolitions
Demolitions in residential neighborhoods have increased quickly in Austin, as property owners upgrade their homes to contemporary layouts. Community Impact newspaper investigates the trend.

Checking In With Cities That 'Lost' the Smart Cities Challenge
Denver and Austin were finalists in the competition. Since then, they've found ways to implement their ideas.

Austin Looking to Five New View Corridors
The city of Austin is looking for ways to keep all eyes on the state capitol building.

First Draft of Austin's New CodeNext Zoning Code Released
It was a big day for planners and planning in Austin earlier this week, when the city released the 1,100-page first draft of the city's new zoning code—the first major revision of the city's zoning doe since the mid-1980s.

Austin Still Needs Permission From Texas to Lower its Speed Limits
A decision by the city of Austin to support lower speed limits on some city streets will remain a symbolic gesture until the state allows local governments to establish their own speed limits.

Casting Doubt on Yield-to-Transit Laws
Austin planners are considering a law designed to ensure bus service performance by requiring drivers to allow buses to merge after making a stop, but transit advocates point to a body of research that casts doubt on the efficacy of such laws.
Chariot Commuter Shuttle in San Francisco Expands 50 Percent After Ford Acquisition
Chariot shuttle service, recently acquired by Ford Motor Company, may soon be a more formidable competitor for San Francisco's public transit provider, Muni, due to an expansion to 150 vans. Expect new routes, five-minute headways, and $4 rides.

Austin Will Use Virtual Reality to Attract Foreign Direct Investment
The city of Austin hopes that virtual reality can connect foreign investors and proposed development projects in need of funding.
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
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service