Pennsylvania
Promise Zones Partner Up in Los Angeles and Philadelphia
A new phase of President Obama's Promise Zone anti-poverty initiative will take place simultaneously in Los Angeles and Philadelphia. AmeriCorps staff will be on hand to provide career coaching to high school students.
How Technology Will Improve Inspection and Maintenance of Streets
A researcher in Pittsburgh could render obsolete the arduous task of manually inspecting streets for cracks and potholes.
Pennsylvania Could Require Reflective Clothing for Biking at Night
Pennsylvania is the latest state legislature to consider a bill requiring special clothing for people riding bikes.
Washington State to Increase Gas Tax by Seven Cents on Saturday
The phased, two-year, 11.9-cent gas tax increase is the largest since Pennsylvania's gas tax increase passed in Nov. 2013. On July 1, 2016, fuel taxes will be raised 4.9 cents. Taxes will fund a $16.1 billion package of transportation improvements.
Lessons in Waterfront Revitalization from Boston and Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh's Riverlife recently hired Vivien Li from the Boston Harbor Association. Li's career trajectory helpfully informs the kinds of decisions that drive good waterfront planning.
A Simple Approach to Abandoned Buildings Improved Crime in Philadelphia
The city of Philadelphia's Doors and Windows Ordinance applied the Broken Windows Theory to positive results.
Auto-Repair Facility Permit Filed a Day Before Pedestrian-Friendly Zoning: What Next?
A case study in the development miscues that can move forward while plans are developed and approved.
Pittsburgh Votes: Keep Our Bridges Gold
In a civic exercise only possible in Pittsburgh, residents voted online in resounding support of keeping the color scheme of the city's famous Three Sisters Bridges.
Downtown Pittsburgh Stakeholders Pitch Shared Streets
It's an early idea, but Pittsburgh, with support from transportation planners and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, could be the next U.S. city to consider the shared streets concept.
To Auction or Not? Philadelphia Proceeds with Tax Lien Auction Despite Criticism
In an ongoing effort to turn around its stock of vacant, tax delinquent properties, the city of Philadelphia will send some 1,400 liens to auction.
Pittsburgh's Plan to Promote Diversity and In-Migration
Seemingly on the rebound after a 55-year decline in population, Pittsburgh is ready to move into a new era as an attractive destination for immigrants and a diverse population of residents.
Philadelphia's Rowhouse Remedy for Gentrification
Blessed with an innate resilience, Philadelphia's brick rowhouses risk disrepair and redevelopment. Local nonprofits are looking for ways to keep this resource equitable.
Largest Ever Philadelphia Housing Authority Redevelopment to Seize 1,300 Vacant Properties
Philadelphia Housing Authority will use eminent domain to redevelop a huge swath of vacant properties in the Sharswood neighborhood.
Is Gentrification on Tap at Philadelphia's Pop-Up Beer Gardens?
Danya Henninger reports on the local controversy over a pop-up beer garden in the Philadelphia neighborhood of Point Breeze.
$3 Million for Bike Stations Backs Up SEPTA's Bike Planning Efforts
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) recently released the budget that will back up the components of its first ever bike plan: the SEPTA Cycle-Transit Plan, released in April 2015.
Bikeshare Opening Punctuates Pittsburgh's Open Streets Event
It was a beautiful weekend to hit the streets of Pittsburgh—and many did, for the Open Streets Pittsburgh event and the debut of Pittsburgh Bike Share.
Cities Relearning Their Relationships with Rivers
As the country's industrial past fades, cities are finding new meaning in their rivers—from the meandering to the mighty.
Citizen Planning Academies Build Capacity for Local Planning
Citizen Planning Academies build local leadership, increase awareness, and broaden involvement through community education. CommunityMatters highlights examples of citizen academies along with five reasons to start one in your city or town.
How Cities Are Stopping the Blight Contagion
Every city with neighborhoods in decline and a lack of demand for new investment is faced with the challenge of how to address blight. Each city's challenges are unique, but many are finding new and effective strategies to end the spread of blight.
Amtrak Resumes Full Service on Northeast Corridor Today
Six days after one of Amtrak's worst derailments that resulted in the deaths of 8 passengers, service will resume on the Northeast Corridor, the busiest train route in the U.S. Amtrak #188 had accelerated to 106 mph as it entered a curve on May 12.
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
