Government / Politics

Ridership Predictions Lowered, But Subway Plans Move Ahead

Despite predictions of ridership that are lower than previously thought, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is still pushing ahead with plans to build a subway line in the center of the city.

December 3, 2010 - San Francisco Chronicle

New Toronto Mayor Kills Transit Dreams

The newly installed mayor of Toronto has swiftly abandoned an $8.1 billion mass transit plan for the city.

December 3, 2010 - The Toronto Star

Dark Clouds Over L.A.'s Light Rail

Los Angeles is in the midst of expanding its light rail system. But a new idea to speed up the process has backfired and caused delays and major increases in estimated costs.

December 3, 2010 - LA Weekly

'Urbanism Is the Most Cost-Effective Solution to Climate Change,' says Calthorpe

Phil Langdon reviews Peter Calthorpe's latest, called 'Urbanism in the Age of Climate Change'. Langdon says it is "a densely packed, yet concise overview of the troubling situation we all find ourselves in."

December 2, 2010 - New Urban Network

Footing the Bill for the Cancelled ARC Project

And the tab is substantial: $271 million. NJ Gov. Christie, who killed the trans-Hudson, $9 billion rail tunnel for financial reasons, is now left owing funds for work completed that his state would not be liable for had he not canceled the project.

December 1, 2010 - Asbury Park Press (APP.com)

D.C. Takes Long-Range Transit Planning Online

Washington D.C.'s Metro is expecting a major increase in ridership over the next 30 years. To try to meet that demand, they're recruiting ideas from the public with a new outreach effort.

December 1, 2010 - The City Fix

Property Taxes Discourage Density

Local property taxes are often levied disproportionately on multifamily developers, resulting in higher taxes for apartment-dwellers, says Stephen Smith.

November 30, 2010 - Market Urbanism

Bus-Only Lane Proposal Meets Opposition in L.A.

Officials in Los Angeles are considering a plan to install a bus-only lane on the region's most used commuter route. But neighbors along a small segment of the road are fighting the proposal.

November 30, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

Madison May Be Left Out of Midwest High Speed Rail Plans

The fate of a proposed high speed rail corridor between Chicago and Milwaukee remains uncertain, but if plans do go ahead, Madison may be left out.

November 30, 2010 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Los Angeles' Transit Rebirth

Los Angeles is engaged in one of the most massive rail building schemes of any American city since NYC extended its subways last century, however, LA's is a mixture of light and heavy rail, and may just be Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa's legacy.

November 26, 2010 - The New York Times - U.S.

The Anti-Robert Moses

Esquire profiles New York City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, highlighting her impact on the city's public spaces.

November 26, 2010 - Esquire

A Bike Sharing System, But For Whom?

WNYC talks with New York City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan about the city's planned bicycle sharing system about how it will work and who it's intended to serve.

November 26, 2010 - Transportation Nation

Changing Federal Politics, But Potential at State and Metro Levels

In this episode of Next American City's podcast, the Brookings Institution's Bruce Katz discusses the future of federal policy as the country's political makeup changes after the mid-term elections.

November 25, 2010 - Next American City

Mayors Call 'Dangerous Cities' List a Turkey

The annual list of America's "Most Dangerous Cities" has prompted complaints from the U.S. Conference of Mayors -- a group typically dissatisfied with the list.

November 25, 2010 - SF Appeal

New York Sets Sights on Bike Sharing in 2012

New York City is hoping to install a citywide bike sharing program with at least 10,000 bikes. The system could open by Spring 2012.

November 25, 2010 - The New York Times

GOP Moves to Rescind Stimulus Funding for High-Speed Rail

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Rescission Act was introduced by House Republicans to return $12 billion in unspent American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, aka stimulus funds, targeting the nation's largest public works project, CA HSR.

November 24, 2010 - San Mateo County Times via Mercury News

TIGER Funding Spurs Transit Plaza and Park in Philadelphia

Flush with federal grants, a new transit plaza and park is set to pop up in Philadelphia.

November 24, 2010 - The Architect's Newspaper

Effort to Streamline Development Process Underway in L.A.

Officials in Los Angeles are trying to streamline the process of getting projects permitted and approved -- an effort that could rapidly increase the amount of time it takes to develop in the city.

November 23, 2010 - LA Downtown News

Looking at Urban Design Through a Public Health Lens

New York City's Health Commissioner has urban design in his sights as he seeks to improve public health in the city.

November 23, 2010 - Transportation Nation

Counting the Costs of California's Prop. 26

In California, passage of Proposition 26 has raised the question of whether fees used for public services will be jeopardized at the local level. Some argue most fees will be unaffected, but others could take a hit.

November 23, 2010 - The Sacramento Bee

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.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

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