Government / Politics
Delhi Looks at Major BRT Expansion
Officials in Delhi are proposing a major expansion of the city's new bus rapid transit system, suggesting an additional 345 kilometers.
L.A.'s 'Subway to the Sea' Gets Close
The L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority board has selected a route for its long planned Westside extension of the city's subway system. It falls a little short of hopes for a "Subway to the Sea".
Experimental Transportation Projects Get $33 Million in Bay Area
Federal grants worth $33 million have been approved in the San Francisco Bay Area for experimental programs like electric taxis and mobile bike repair services.
Bike Sharing Spreads, But Will It Last?
More and more European cities are following the lead of cities like Paris and installing bike sharing systems. This article from Der Spiegel wonders if they'll last.
'Livable' Sounds Great, But What is it?
Grist talks with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood about just what exactly "livable communities" are and how the government is planning to create them.
Preserving Detroiters' Way of Life
Forbes talks with Detroit Mayor Dave Bing about reshaping the city and how those plans will and won't impact long-time residents who may be opposed to change.
Small Counties on Edge Over Metro Atlanta Transit Debate
Suggestions of a county seceding from the Atlanta Regional Commission could threaten transportation funding in the region and hurt those towns looking to bow out, according to this column.
Urban Homestead Sectors, Naturescapes, and Green Venture Zones
A group called The Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD) released a report this week that breaks the city down into 11 different district types, each with their own character and policy recommendations.
Bigger and Faster in China
The opening of a new 220-mph high speed train and the peak energy production at the Three Gorges Dam shows that China's been able to successfully launch major infrastructure project faster than the rest of the world.
New Toronto Mayor Backs Away From Anti-Streetcar Sentiment
Toronto's mayor-elect had campaigned on a platform that included plans to ditch the city's streetcar system. Now he seems to be backing away from that stance.
Defending The Livable Communities Bill
After Metropolis Magazine took a swipe at Sen. Dodd's Livable Communities Act of 2009, or S.1619, for being "All Carrot, No Stick" or worse, Grist comes to its defense as a necessary bill that would sustain Obama's current smart growth effort.
A Bigger Transportation Role for the White House?
The Obama administration has expressed interest in playing a bigger role in transportation and infrastructure policy in the U.S. National Journal asks its panel of experts if it's the right time for the White House to be more involved.
The 'Negligible' Building Safety Benefit of Helipads
In the second part of a series looking at codes in L.A. that require tall buildings to have flat roofs for helicopter landing, Curbed LA discusses a new building that has been exempted from the code and whether more are likely to follow.
The Fire Department Code That Flat-Tops L.A.'s Skyline
All buildings in Los Angeles taller than 75 feet are required to have a flat surface on the roof where helicopters can land, according to a fire department-mandated code. Now leaders are thinking about updating that code -- and the city's skyline.
CA & FL To Win $900 Million & $800 Million For HSR
Awards for high speed rail projects will be announced Oct. 26. CA will receive $902 million for 18 projects from SF to San Diego, the largest in the Central Valley. Florida will get $800 million for the Orlando to Tampa line
Building Codes Should Not Be Privately Copyrighted
Public domain activist Carl Malamud explains in this brief talk why he believes building, fire and safety codes should be taken out of the hands of the private companies that distribute them and made publicly accessible.
A Return to Physical Planning
Planetizen talks with Peter J. Park, Manager of Community Planning and Development for the City of Denver, Colorado, about the return of physical planning, the city's form-based code, and more.
Prizes for Public Participation
Looking to spur civic engagement, officials in Boulder, Colorado are experimenting with unusual incentives for attendees of city-sponsored meetings.
Atlanta Streetcar Wins Big On Second TIGER Round
Rejected entirely last February for federal funding, planners made two important changes: Scaled down the project considerably, and scaled-up the city's contribution - which says little as their prior contribution had been zero!
Motorists To Pay Ozone 'Penalty' in Central Valley
In a unanimous vote on Oct. 21, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District approved another 'first' air quality measure not done elsewhere: They supported charging Valley motorists for paying the $29 million ozone penalty set by the E.P.A.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
