Government / Politics

Explaining Houston's Lack of Effective Public Transit

Despite being one of the largest cities in the U.S., public transit in Houston has not kept up with its population growth. Kristie Lewis offers five reasons why.

May 17, 2010 - The Infrastructurist

Cities Seek to Quantify Rise in Bicycle Ridership

Planners in cities across the country are installing electronic sensors to track how many people are making use of bike lanes and trails.

May 17, 2010 - USA Today

The Rapid Growth of China's Rapid Transit

This post from The Transport Politic tracks the growth and planned expansion of rapid transit projects all across China

May 16, 2010 - the transport politic

A Possible Dead End for High Speed Rail

Despite what seemed to be a gung-ho Federal government, high speed rail could flop in the U.S., according to this piece from The Infrastructurist.

May 16, 2010 - The Infrastructurist

Streets Improved, And Now the Bill

A variety of road and streetscape improvement projects in San Francisco are reviving the city's streets. But now, the city has to ask itself whether it wants to keep paying for these improvements.

May 16, 2010 - San Francisco Bay Guardian

Targeting Private Buildings For Energy Reduction

If cities want to curb energy use, they should focus on private buildings, according to this article.

May 15, 2010 - Sustainable Life

Senate Climate Bill To Fund Transportation And Affect Fuel Markets

The American Power Act sets limits on greenhouse gas emissions, creates a cap, trade, and dividend program that rebates funds to energy bill payers, directs $6 billion yearly to targeted transportation programs, and curtails EPA's climate authority.

May 14, 2010 - Kansas City Star

New York Town Makes English the Law

Jackson, New York and several other small upstate towns have entered the immigration wars by passing a law requiring all official town business to be conducted in English.

May 14, 2010 - New York Times

City And Business House Homeless

San Antonio, Texas, is partnering with business and nonprofit groups on a project aimed at curbing homelessness.

May 13, 2010 - San Antonio Express-News

Packing The Court -- With City-Dwellers

If Elena Kagan is confirmed, not only will the Supreme Court get its third sitting woman. It will also get its second woman New Yorker. Bill Fulton considers the importance of the urban experience in jurisprudence.

May 11, 2010 - California Planning & Development Report

The Infrastructural Benefit of South Africa's World Cup

Next month's World Cup in South Africa will bring a lot of attention to the country, and a lot of opportunity. Though many hope the country will see an economic benefit, the biggest impact is likely to be the creation of urban infrastructure.

May 10, 2010 - Nate Berg

The Rise of Security Cameras in New York City

The recent bomb scare in New York City's Times Square has brought increased attention to the city's system of security cameras.

May 9, 2010 - The New York Times

Gainesville Tracks Drivers Yielding to Pedestrians

Police in Gainesville, Florida are trying to encourage drivers to be more cautious of pedestrians with a new sign and driver tracking program that tracks how many drivers are yielding to pedestrians.

May 8, 2010 - The Gainesville Sun

Provinces, Cities Fill Canada's Federal Policy Vacuum

Jeffrey Simpson argues that, in most policy areas that matter to Canadians, the federal government is doing almost nothing, while provinces and cities are moving ahead with innovation in energy, climate change and transportation.

May 7, 2010 - The Globe and Mail

Videoconferencing as Planning Tool

Former Planetizen managing editor Christian Madera proposes that videoconferencing could revolutionize the public meeting because the entire proceedings could be "broken up and digitized."

May 7, 2010 - Next American City

City Planners Caught in Porn Scandal

Three planners and the zoning administrator in San Francisco's Planning Department are accused of circulating raunchy emails around the office and are at risk of losing their jobs.

May 6, 2010 - SF Weekly

Learning From Cleveland's Healthline BRT

With a plan to distribute $775 million in federal funding for urban bus projects, Next American City's Yonah Freemark suggests using it to fund projects like Cleveland's Healthline BRT.

May 6, 2010 - Next American City

Free Parking in Atlanta, To Punish Privatized Meter Readers

The Atlanta City Council voted unanimously to approve a 30-day moratorium on enforcing the city's privately managed parking meters.

May 6, 2010 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Security Cameras to Invade Manhattan

In the wake of an attempted car bombing in New York City's Times Square, officials are calling for the expanded use of security cameras throughout Manhattan.

May 6, 2010 - Agence France Presse

Vancouver Considers $25 Million Investment in Bike Lanes

The city of Vancouver is looking to expand its bike network with the proposal of a $25 million investment in bicycle infrastructure over the next two years.

May 6, 2010 - The Vancouver Sun

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.