Pennsylvania
Speed a Major Factor in Tuesday's Fatal Amtrak Derailment
The death toll has risen to seven in the May 12 derailment in Philadelphia. NTSB confirmed the train was traveling over 106 mph on a curve where the speed limit is 50 mph. Positive Train Control, which would have stopped the train, was not present.
Amtrak Train Derails Near Philadelphia—At Least Six Confirmed Dead
A northbound Amtrak Northeast Regional train derailed after leaving the Philadelphia Amtrak station around 9:30 p.m, on May 12. The scene was called a disaster, with the first of the seven cars that derailed severely crushed. No cause was given.
Public Review Underway for Pittsburgh BRT Proposal
The public is getting a chance to respond to the idea of building a bus rapid transit line along a heavily traveled corridor between Pittsburgh and Oakland to the east.
$4.1 Billion Return on Riverfront Parks Investments in Pittsburgh
According to a recent study, $130 million invested in the Three River Park has multiplied into $4.1 billion in development around the riverfront.
Details Emerge for Philadelphia's LOVE Park Redo
One of the country's most scrutinized and anticipated renovation projects, Philadelphia's LOVE Park, has been unveiling critical design decisions in recent weeks.
Artists Breathe New Life Into Pennsylvania Town
Long suffering Rust Belt woes and lacking the name recognition of a Pittsburgh or Detroit, York opened its doors to another overlooked group: artists. The results so far are impressive.
'Heroic' Transformations Targeted by Pittsburgh Planning Director Ray Gastil
Pittsburgh Planning Director Ray Gastil was profiled by Pittsburgh Magazine.
Hoopla for Launch of Philadelphia's 'Indego' Bikeshare System
Philadelphia media was on hand to cover the launch of the Indego bikeshare system on April 23, 2015.
Philly Pleads with Landlords to Fix Sidewalks
In some cities, maintenance of sidewalks is not the responsibility of the city but of adjacent landowners. Philadelphia is finding what a hassle this arrangement can be. With countless blocks in disrepair, everyone is passing the buck.
Pittsburgh Reduces Crime with 'Slumlord Buy-Out' Program
At least some of a remarkable 49 percent drop in crime in a rough Pittsburgh is attributed to a new nonprofit-sponsored program designed to put slumlords out of business and get rid of their problem tenants.
Report Quantifies Displacement and Rising Housing Costs in Philadelphia
A policy report from the Philadelphia Coalition for Affordable Communities made news for recommending policies to disincentive, with taxes, real estate speculation. The report also includes raw data on the transformation happening around the city.
Luxury Condos Versus Philadelphia's Jewelers' Row
Downtown gentrification threatens to displace skilled artisans in a district where workshops go back five generations. Some of the jewelers own their premises, but the rewards for building pricey condos are tempting.
Planning for Climate Change on the Shores of the Great Lakes
Two academic researchers explain the planning and landscape architecture opportunities offered by the "dramatic fluctuations" and "emergent shorelands" of the Great Lakes Coasts.
The Economic Case for Converting Parking to Parklets
Emily Badger of The Washington Post Wonkblog writes about a new study showing the economic benefits of converting street spaces in front of storefronts to parklets. Other options for street spaces include bike lanes, bikeshare docks, and bus lanes.
Pittsburgh Launches $32 Million 'Envision Downtown' Initiative
The Envision Downtown Initiative will focus on street improvements to improve public interactions.
The Challenge of Redesigning an Accident-Prone Street
Philadelphia's Washington Avenue experienced 915 car crashes between 2010 and 2013. The city wants to minimize risk in its redesign, but lacks the space to install every suggested improvement.
Finding the Right Mix of Uses for Former Industrial Sites
The Philadelphia City Council is tinkering with a novel land use created by its 2012 Zoning Code update to help guide mixed use development on former industrial sites.
How a Philadelphia Mayoral Candidate Influenced U.S. Public Housing
Former HUD counsel and current Philadelphia mayoral contender Nelson Diaz laid the groundwork for "entrepreneurial" approaches to public housing. Whether the resulting projects were effective is up for debate.
A Call for Reimagined Schoolyards
In recent years, tactical urbanism has helped reinvent many streets and sidewalks in center cities, creating new public spaces. But many spaces remain untouched. Anuj Gupta argues that reinvented schoolyards can be the next great public spaces.
New Website Calls Out Philadelphia's 'Parking Wastelands'
It's unclear who exactly is behind the Philly Parking Wasteland website, but it is clear that the site exists to excoriate the mismanagement of land for the purposes of parking around the city of Philadelphia.
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
