Todd Litman's blog

Who Subsidizes Whom?

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Submitted by Todd Litman on December 4, 2013 - 9:25pm

This column expands on issues raised in a previous Planetizen blog, "Mythbusting: Exposing Half-Truths That Support Automobile Dependency," which examined criticisms of cycling facility investments and justifications for automobile-oriented planning.

Mythbusting: Exposing Half-Truths That Support Automobile Dependency

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Submitted by Todd Litman on November 28, 2013 - 9:07am

Some commentators recently expressed outraged that governments spend money on cycling facilities. Their arguments are largely wrong, I’ll call them "half-truths" to be charitable, presented with great certitude and self-righteous anger.

How Many Bicycles Can Park In The Space Required By One Car? Don’t Ask PolitiFact.

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Submitted by Todd Litman on November 12, 2013 - 3:19am

PolitiFact holds politicians accountable for their claims, but how accountable is PolitiFact? Not very. It inaccurately answered a simple planning question, and was unwilling to clarify or correct its false judgment.

Low Crime Rates In Large Cities Support Multi-Modal Planning and Smart Growth

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Submitted by Todd Litman on October 31, 2013 - 3:43am

Contrary to popular assumptions, large, transit-oriented cities have lower crime rates than smaller, automobile-oriented cities. Jane Jacobs was right! This column discusses this phenomenon and its implications for transport and land use planning.

Abu Dhabi Planning Charrette

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Submitted by Todd Litman on September 27, 2013 - 1:56pm

Abu Dhabi is updating its strategic development plan. Consultant Todd Litman reports on the city's recent urban planning charrette.

I have a Problem With Your “Issues”

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Submitted by Todd Litman on September 15, 2013 - 9:54pm

Good planning requires clear problem and goal statements. Calling a problem an “issue” is ambiguous, which is a real problem.

Congestion Costing Point-Counter-Point

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Submitted by Todd Litman on September 3, 2013 - 11:31am

Conventional transportation planning tends to exaggerate congestion costs and roadway expansion benefits, and undervalues other transportation solutions such as improving alternative modes, pricing reforms and smart growth policies.

Planners are Futurists With a Practical Bent

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Submitted by Todd Litman on August 16, 2013 - 2:31pm

Planners are futurists, but with less pretension and jargon. Our work requires predicting how current trends are likely to affect future conditions and activities, and how communities should prepare. For example, let's predict self-driving cars.

Rational Fear

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Submitted by Todd Litman on July 29, 2013 - 5:19am

Many people believe that cities are dangerous due to exaggerated fears of urban crime. Cities are actually far safer and healthier than suburban and rural locations, and smart growth policies can further enhance their safety and health advantages.

Responding to Smart Growth Criticism

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Submitted by Todd Litman on June 24, 2013 - 6:13am

Critics claim that smart growth policies are ineffective at reducing vehicle travel and achieving intended to objectives. This column critiques their arguments.

'Bus Priority Zones' Program Launching in Chicago

Predicting the 'Next Generation of Historic Places'

Protecting Detroit's Historic Food District

Putting a Stop to Disabled-Placard Fraud in L.A.

We Need More Words for Play

Who's to Blame for Gentrification? Planners, Apparently

Reactions to Ontario's Subway Takeover Plan

Searching for the Essence of Planning at the National Planning Conference

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Todd Litman's blog

Who Subsidizes Whom?

Mythbusting: Exposing Half-Truths That Support Automobile Dependency

How Many Bicycles Can Park In The Space Required By One Car? Don’t Ask PolitiFact.

Low Crime Rates In Large Cities Support Multi-Modal Planning and Smart Growth

Abu Dhabi Planning Charrette

I have a Problem With Your “Issues”

Congestion Costing Point-Counter-Point

Planners are Futurists With a Practical Bent

Rational Fear

Responding to Smart Growth Criticism

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