Detroit is infamous for its lack of regional transit (or local transit for that matter), but the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan this month launched a master planning process that could finally fill some of the region's gaps.
Leonard N. Fleming reports on the mood at recent public hearings held by the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) as it undertakes a master plan process that would set an agenda for transit in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties.
The public hearings are taking place in advance of a 2016 ballot initiative that will ask voters "to fund the RTA and three bus rapid transit routes up Woodward from Detroit to Pontiac, Michigan Avenue from Detroit to Ann Arbor, and up Gratiot in Detroit to M-59." The master plan is expected to be complete by the end of 2015.
Ryan Felton reported the initial announcement of the master plan process, which is described as "a step forward in developing a comprehensive plan for public transportation across metro Detroit." Felton also notes the hiccups experienced by the RTA since its creation in 2012.
The RTA's website also includes a website introducing the master plan, titled the BEST: Regional Master Transit Plan, which it says will plan for transit on a 20-year horizon.
FULL STORY: Metro Detroit residents sound off on public transit
Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary
Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.
Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024
A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.
Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts
From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.
Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding
The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.
Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly
The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.
LA's Top Parks, Ranked
TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.
City of Rochester
Boston Harbor Now
City of Bellevue
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Birmingham, Alabama
City of Laramie, Wyoming
Colorado Department of Local Affairs
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.