Europe

Macron Protest

Fuel Tax Hike Revolt Threatens French President Macron's Leadership

Anger at fuel tax increases planned for January, part of a pro-Green agenda espoused by President Emmanuel Macron, has sparked a populous movement involving hundreds of thousands of protestors that have taken to the streets, erupting into violence.

November 26, 2018 - CityLab

Champs-Elysees and Arc de Triomphe

French Suburbs Join Paris in Diesel Ban

The ban on diesel cars now extends well beyond the city of Paris.

November 20, 2018 - CityLab

48 Global Cities Work on Regulatory Framework for Digital Platforms

During the Sharing Cities Summit 2018, cities such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Lisbon, Madrid, Montreal, New York, Paris, São Paulo, Seoul, Singapore, Stockholm, and Vienna agreed on a Declaration of Principles and Commitments of the Sharing Cities.

November 16, 2018 - Cities of the Future

Smart Cities World Congress Opens its Biggest Event

Organized by Fira de Barcelona at its Gran Via venue, the event is the largest to date, with over 840 exhibiting companies, 700 attending cities and a 31% increase regarding exhibition space, occupying two pavilions for the first time.

November 14, 2018 - Cities of the Future

Autonomous Vehicles

TEDx: How Will Autonomous Vehicles Transform Cities?

Nico Larco presents a TEDx Talk on the impacts AVs will have on cities, including impacts on land use, land valuation, and the environment. AVs are more than just a transportation issue, and planners need to prepare for the coming changes.

November 1, 2018 - TEDx Talk

Houten Train Station

The Trains of the Future Could Provide Much More Than Mobility

Renderings of Dutch trains imagine a variety of seating styles for a variety of activities, including working, socializing, and relaxing.

October 30, 2018 - Pop-Up City

Seine

Court Upholds Paris' Car Ban Along the Seine

The ability of Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo to ban cars from the Seine Quays was at stake.

October 28, 2018 - CityLab

Old Car Batteries

The Most Carbon-Intensive Component of Electric Vehicles Deserves Attention

It's well known that an electric vehicle is only as clean, from a greenhouse gas perspective, as the electricity it consumes to power it. A new study finds that the electricity used in the manufacturing of car batteries also must be considered.

October 24, 2018 - Bloomberg News

Champs-Elysees and Arc de Triomphe

France Could Implement Congestion Charging in Several Large Cities

France is considering a congestion charge for several of its largest cities, modeled after congestion charges in London, Singapore, and more.

October 20, 2018 - BBC

Paris RER

To Improve U.S. Transit, Follow the Lead of Other Countries

The common refrain is that transit is just better in other countries. However, the reasons why are more complex than initial impressions allow, providing important lessons for the United States.

October 19, 2018 - CityLab

Volvo to Sell All-Electric Heavy Trucks in North America in 2020

Volvo gained attention last year by announcing it would stop making new internal combustion engine models. Now it plans to electrify its 2020 truck models as well. A demonstration program will be launched in Southern California next year.

October 4, 2018 - Transport Topics

Hamburg, Germany

More Diesel Driving Bans Coming to German Cities

Germany's automotive industry and Chancellor Angela Merkel are increasingly worried about the economic effects of court-sanctioned diesel driving bans to improve air quality, as enacted in Hamburg last May. Four more cities are likely to enact bans.

October 4, 2018 - Bloomberg News

L.A. Streetcar

World's First Autonomous Tram Now Operating in Germany

A Siemens tram is carrying passengers now, but the project remains a pilot as the tram is not commercially available.

October 1, 2018 - The Guardian

New York MTA subway station

Public Transit in the U.S. Could Be Better. So Why Isn’t It?

Transit ridership has surged in other countries but lags here in the United States. The possible reasons for this are varied as are proposed solutions for improving American transit systems.

October 1, 2018 - Vox

Vote

Bike Infrastructure Enshrined in Swiss Constitution

Nearly three-quarters of the population agreed that the federal government should promote cycling.

October 1, 2018 - SwissInfo

Hydrogen-Powered Trains

World's First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trains Operating in Germany

Alstom's Cordia iLint trains, promised since 2014, are on the track.

September 22, 2018 - The Guardian

Big Box Store

IKEA's Autonomous Vehicle Concept Abandons Sleekness for Boxy Functionality

The furnishing giant's concept imagines an app-summoned fleet of "living rooms on wheels" delivering everything from groceries to health services.

September 22, 2018 - Quartz

Hoover Boards and Bus Transit

Ensuring the Benefits of Multiple Mobility as a Service Options

Vertically integrated mobility as a service options can offer great benefit to users, but unless cities create the right framework, it could stifle innovation and competition, as well as making the playing field too difficult for small companies.

September 6, 2018 - Urbanism Next Blog - Sustainable Cities Initiative

Tour et Taxis, Thurn en Taxis

Friday Fun: Ceci N’est Pas une Rue

When allowing a crowd to decide the name of something important, make sure to add a layer of self-control.

August 24, 2018 - Quartz

Genova Bridge

Government Blames Deadly Bridge Collapse on Toll Company

At least 39 people died when the Ponte Morandi bridge collapsed in Genoa, Italy during a storm on Tuesday. The cable-stayed bridge is part of a viaduct on the A10 toll road that goes to France, operated and maintained by Autostrada per l'Italia.

August 16, 2018 - NPR

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

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A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.