Massachusetts
Personal Rapid Transit Gaining Ground
Derided by some, praised by others, Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) is gaining ground, with new systems scheduled to open in London, Abu Dhabi, and South Korea.
Boston and London to Replicate Montreal's Bike Sharing System
The Bixi bicycle sharing system in Montreal will be replicated in Boston and London, according to Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay.
The ABCs of Homeownership
While the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance is helping people buy homes, their aim is to build an army of trained homeowners to engage their own neighbors in organizing and advocacy.
'Worst Biking City' Attempts To Lose The Title
Boston has not had a good relationship with cyclists. However, Mayor Thomas M. Menino is a cycling advocate, a city bike czar is on staff, bike lanes and facilities have been added, and a turn-around is evident even to its critics.
Nuisance Reporting Via iPhone
A new application for iPhones seeks to make it easier for Boston residents to report minor nuisances like potholes and busted street lights.
Ocean Zoning Moves Forward
Gov. Deval Patrick of Mass. has released a draft zoning plan to regulate the waters off the state's coast, particularly around Cape Cod and Cape Ann.
Ways to Retrofit the City
You don't have to tear a city down to make it green, according to this piece from the Boston Globe, which offers some emerging ideas.
$300,000 to Fund Green-collar Jobs
Mayor of Boston announces $300,000 to create green-collar jobs.
Sustainable Chalupas?
A new KFC/Taco Bell combo restaurant in Northhampton, Massachusetts has been awarded LEED certification.
Do They Really Need Money?
A debate over the MBTA fare hike will begin soon in earnest, focusing on whether the MBTA needs money.
Save the T from Ruin
The Metropolitan Area Planning Council will unveil a new plan for growth and preservation in Greater Boston, which calls for a new pattern of development based on "Smart Growth".
How is the Fate of Historic Complex Space?
Concern: Ames Shovel Shops might be demolished.
The Challenge of Turning Blue Collars Green
The new documentary The Greening of Southie follows construction workers in Boston as they adapt to the new rules and regulations of green development (sometimes unwittingly).
City Works to Improve Census Numbers
According to the 2000 Census, the City of Lowell, Massachussetts has 105,000 people. Mayor Edward "Bud" Caulfield says they were wrong, and is doing everything he can to make the 2010 numbers accurate.
Dukakis (Hearts) Rail
'Dukakis is a rail man,' says Alex Marshall, after the man speak on his history with Amtrak and promoting and building rail in Boston. The cure to our transit woes, according to Dukakis, is competence.
The City After Cheap Gas
In Boston for a conference, Mary Newsom reflects on the lessons that Sun Belt cities can take from historic cities like Cambridge to prepare for the future.
The Smell of the City
Among the installations at the Ecological Urbanism exhibit at Harvard's Graduate School of Design is a collection of smells from 200 Mexico City neighborhoods.
Studying the Health Effects of Living Near Freeways
Researchers are teaming up with Boston community members to study how living close to freeways can be harmful to residents' health.
Boston's Transportation Choices Studied
A draft Environmental Impact Report is now underway to study the proposed routes and power sources for rail extensions south of Boston. Considerations include ridership, wetlands, smart growth benefits, and future development around train stations.
Killing the Community Preservation Act
Three Massachusetts towns are looking to kill a 3% property tax that has been funding open space purchases, historic restoration, and affordable housing construction.
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
