Los Angeles has created a joint-powers authority to consider a regional magnetic-levitation train system. The $26 billion system would be funded and operated by a private firm.
"On the one hand, the City Council is exploring the possibility of something that's new, innovative, cost-efficient and would be a boon to the entire region."
"And on the other, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is pushing an idea that's old, outrageously expensive and would drain resources from most of the Los Angeles region."
"Call it maglev vs. subway to the sea - a study in contrasts."
"On Wednesday, the Los Angeles City Council gave initial approval to a $26 billion high-speed, magnetic-levitation train system by creating a joint-powers agreement with neighboring cities. The train system would start at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, run through downtown, and eventually reach Ontario Airport."
"When completed, the maglev would remove countless trucks from the road by moving cargo transit to rails. By including a passenger component, it would take commuters off the road, too, and facilitate airport regionalization, thus relieving pressure on the 405 Freeway and Los Angeles International Airport."
FULL STORY: Maglev vs. subway
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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.