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The Planetizen News Brief

28 August 2008 - 8:00am
Smart City Radio

The Planetizen News Brief is a weekly rundown of some of the most interesting and important news and issues of the past week.

The Planetizen News Brief airs every week on the nationally-syndicated radio program "Smart City", which is broadcast in cities across the U.S. Learn more about Smart City and listen to archived shows.

Full Transcript

Delaware senator Joe Biden, recently named running mate of presidential nominee Barack Obama, has got many people talking about trains. Despite his decades serving in Washington D.C., he still lives in his Wilmington, Delaware home, and commutes to the capitol on Amtrak. He’s done this for years, and now with the possibility of his commute ending at the White House as the Vice President, many are speculating that Amtrak could stand to benefit from this incredibly powerful rider. Blogs like the Daily Kos have been touting Biden’s train commuting habits, and noting the many times he’s supported Amtrak funding increases. Rising gas prices and a train commuting V.P. could mean big advances for the nation’s often underfunded train system. The fact that one of Biden’s sons serves on Amtrak’s board couldn’t hurt either.

And with rising gas prices, many Americans are changing their commuting habits. A recent article from the Christian Science Monitor discusses how cyclists are popping up on streets across the country, trading cars for bikes on their daily commute. This is a trend that’s not just being seen in the expected places like San Francisco, New York and Portland. Atypical cities like Charlotte and Louisville are also seeing more two-wheelers out on the roads. Cities are scrambling to react to the increase and more are increasing budgets for bike-related infrastructure like bike lanes and separated paths. Some are even offering classes on safe biking. And this trend of increased cycling in America is one many expect to continue.

And finally, things are starting to turn around in downtown Dallas. The city’s urban core had been stagnant for nearly twenty years. Outer suburban areas had been attracting jobs and businesses and pulling residents away from downtown. But the Dallas News reports that the first half of 2008 had more offices leasing downtown than all of the city’s suburban areas combined. More and more residential units are popping up downtown and the formerly 9-to-5 area is becoming far more lively at night. And with downtown Dallas’ position as the hub for regional rail transit, gas-weary commuters are increasingly eyeing downtown as a smarter place to move. Retailers have noticed this and are moving downtown in droves. Though some worry the trend may only be temporary, downtown boosters say Dallas has finally awoken from a two-decade downtown slumber – one its unlikely to slip back into.

Stories discussed in this week's Planetizen News Brief

Biden Bodes Well for Rail

Cities React as Drivers Become Cyclists

Downtown Dallas Has 'Turned a Corner'

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Practitioners will need to break free from their silos and forge a better understanding of the interrelatedness of these fields.
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