Austin

Texas

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.

June 12, 2017 - KUOW

Austin

Defining Key Zoning Code Terms for the Masses

What it means when planners use their words.

June 9, 2017 - The Austin Chronicle

Austin Traffic

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.

June 1, 2017 - KXAN

Texas Capitol Building

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.

May 30, 2017 - The Texas Tribune

Texas Townhomes

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.

May 26, 2017 - KUT

Google bikes

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.

April 22, 2017 - Next City

Medellin

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.

April 11, 2017 - Streetsblog USA

Austin Bus

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.

March 30, 2017 - Medium

Lyft

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.

March 24, 2017 - Mobility Lab

Austin Cycle

SXSW Attendees Troubled by Austin's Lack of Uber

What happens when SXSW stops being polite, and starts getting real?

March 20, 2017 - Next City

Austin Bus

Op-Ed: Austin Still Needs Traditional Buses

Transportation network companies cannot duplicate transit service in outlying communities, argues Ryan Young.

March 14, 2017 - The Daily Texan

Austin Bus

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.

March 4, 2017 - Capital Metro Blog

Texas residential

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.

March 2, 2017 - Community Impact Newspaper

Denver TOD

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.

February 27, 2017 - Governing

Texas Capitol Building

Austin Looking to Five New View Corridors

The city of Austin is looking for ways to keep all eyes on the state capitol building.

February 20, 2017 - Austin Monitor

Austin Pedestrians

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.

February 3, 2017 - Community Impact Newspaper

Speed Limit

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.

December 25, 2016 - Austin American Statesman

Austin

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.

December 19, 2016 - Austin Monitor

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.

December 6, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Austin Texas

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.

November 30, 2016 - Austin Monitor

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.