Infrastructure

I-94 Freeway in Minneapolis

Why a 'Marginally Useful' Minneapolis Freeway Segment Should Be Removed

Two ramps that have minimal impact on traffic could make way for apartments, commercial spaces, or much-needed parks.

August 8, 2021 - Minneapolis St Paul Magazine

Open Space Trails

Study: Recreational Trails Program Underfunded by Over $200 Million

FHA research shows that multi-use trail users contribute three times as much in gas taxes as the program to build and maintain them receives.

August 8, 2021 - Streetsblog USA

Water Treatment

How Cities Can Manage Drought Risk and Conserve Water

As climate change and population growth strain fresh water resources, tactics from around the world provide universal lessons for building water-smart cities.

August 6, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

New York

How Downtown Public Space Investments Impact Equity

Efforts to revitalize declining downtowns have, in some cases, become catalysts for supporting small, minority-owned, local businesses.

August 6, 2021 - Brookings Institution

Climate Change and Flooding

Over 80 Million People Live in Flood Zones

New research shows a 24% increase in people living in flood-prone areas since 2000, prompting calls for increased adaptation measures.

August 6, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Amtrak Train

Changes for Amtrak in the New Infrastructure Bill

While the agency is receiving less funding than advocates say is needed, it will also have a new mandate that prioritizes public service over profitability.

August 6, 2021 - New York Times

Downtown Houston pedestrians

Houston's Pedestrian Death Problem, Explained

The city's roadways were built to prioritize fast-moving traffic, not safety. With a new Vision Zero plan, that could change.

August 5, 2021 - Houston Chronicle

Trees and People

The Problem with Tree Planting Programs

Ambitious campaigns to plant trees in urban areas often don't take into account the complexities of growing and maintaining effective urban forests.

August 5, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Lake Powell

Lake Powell's Houseboat Launches Running Dry

Record low water levels are sinking Lake Powell's houseboat industry as climate change threatens water supplies in the West.

August 5, 2021 - The Guardian

Electric Vehicle Charging

What California Would Lose if the Infrastructure Plan Fails

The state is poised to gain nearly $1 billion from the federal plan for projects ranging from electric vehicle charging stations to bike lanes and zero-emission bus fleets.

August 5, 2021 - L.A. Magazine

Hoover Dam

How Extreme Heat Threatens the Electrical Grid

Higher demand for electricity and lower capacity for production due to more intense heat waves are straining the power grid and causing concern for future energy production.

August 5, 2021 - High Country News

San Diego Waterfront

San Diego Bike Advocates Demand Safer Infrastructure

After 12 people were killed this year biking on San Diego County roads, local advocates are calling for more protected bike lanes and safer bike facilities.

August 4, 2021 - CBS 8 San Diego

El Paso Trolleys

El Paso Streetcar Returns With Free Fares

The historic streetcars will connect uptown and downtown amenities in a 4.8-mile loop.

August 4, 2021 - KLAQ

Cadillac Escalade

Study: More SUVs Lead to More Pedestrian Deaths

Larger vehicles are proving deadlier for pedestrians–and are more popular than ever.

August 4, 2021 - Streetsblog USA

Bollards

To Protect Pedestrians, Install More Bollards

Roadway designs protect drivers and construction workers with robust barriers. Why don't we protect pedestrians in the same way?

August 4, 2021 - Strong Towns

Houston Light Rail Transit

Houston Plans New Downtown Bus-Only Lanes

The lull in commuter traffic during the pandemic gave Houston's transit agencies time to implement new projects and redesign downtown roads to better accommodate transit users.

August 4, 2021 - The Houston Chronicle

Transit Line

Guaranteed Transit Funding Lacking in New Infrastructure Bill

Lauded by the administration as a historic amount, the transit funding promised in the revised bill lags far behind projected needs.

August 4, 2021 - CleanTechnica

Cars

It's Time For A National VMT Fee Policy

Op-ed: Charging road users by how much they drive, not how much gas they buy, is the only sustainable way forward for infrastructure funding.

August 4, 2021 - Next City

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Street Mural Aims to Slow Cars and Improve Pedestrian Safety

Part of a larger safety and beautification plan, the mural is designed to slow down drivers and bring a 'sense of hope' to the neighborhood.

August 3, 2021 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Traffic and Speed

Illinois Traffic Deaths Up by 10% Over 2020

Officials point to speeding and reckless driving as causes for the increase in fatal crashes.

August 3, 2021 - Daily Herald

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.

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