Infrastructure

Purple Line Extension Construction

New Database Quantifies the Costs of Transit Construction in the United States

The Eno Center for Transportation launched the first institutional investigation of the cost of transit projects earlier this year and recently released its initial findings, with promises for more in-depth case studies to come.

December 15, 2020 - Eno Center for Transportation

Mapping Coronavirus Infections

Top Websites for Urban Planning – 2020

Planetizen's annual list of the best of the planning Internet in a year inextricably defined by the uncertainty and constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic.

December 14, 2020 - James Brasuell

Bike and Pedestrian Infrastructure

New Bike and Walking Trail Opens in Houston, With Promises of More

The new Spring Branch Trail in northwest Houston is a 'harbinger' of more bike and pedestrian infrastructure to come.

December 13, 2020 - Houston Chronicle

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Cost Estimates Nearly Double for Toronto Light Rail Plan

Cost estimate for Toronto's proposed Eglinton East LRT have ballooned from $2.3 billion to as much as $4.4 billion.

December 13, 2020 - The Star

South Carolina Resilience

Climate Change: The Most Vulnerable States Are the Least Prepared

The effects of climate change will vary depending on geographic location, so it's incumbent on states to prepare in their own, specific way. Not all states are taking that responsibility seriously, according to a new report.

December 11, 2020 - Route Fifty

New York Cuty, New York

Arts Performances Take to the Streets

The New York City "Open Culture" program will offer artists of all kinds to move the stage to the street and other public spaces. It's like an open streets program for the arts.

December 11, 2020 - New York Daily News

Link and Bus Seattle

Transit's Big Day at the Ballot Box

Even with the fiscal uncertainty of the pandemic, voters around the country overwhelmingly supported new funding for public transit projects.

December 10, 2020 - TransitCenter

Nuclear Power

The Next Generation of Nuclear Power Could Come Closer to Home

Nuclear regulators have recently given the green light to a new kind of nuclear reactor, the small modular reactor. A recent article in The Urbanist explains the case for a nuclear-powered urbanism.

December 10, 2020 - The Urbanist

Power Plant

New York State Pension Fund Divests From Fossil Fuels

The announcement this week that the state of New York's employee pension fund would divest from fossil fuel industries sent shockwaves through the industry and the environmentalism movement this week.

December 10, 2020 - The New York Times

New York City From New Jersey

Funding Approved for Key Rail Connection Between New Jersey and New York

The Portal Bridge is a key component of the larger Gateway Program that includes tunnels under the Hudson River. Fixing the Portal Bridge across the Hackensack River will provide tremendous relief to NJ Transit and Amtrak commuters.

December 10, 2020 - New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy

Parking

Parking Reform: Dynamic Pricing Expected Soon in Arlington County, Virginia

The dynamic, demand-based pricing is on its way to Northern Virginia.

December 10, 2020 - Arl Now

Highway Construction

Highway Boondoggles Continue as the Pandemic Stresses Budgets at Every Level of Government

U.S. PIRG has released the latest edition of the Highway Boondoggles report, the sixth edition of the report published since 2014.

December 10, 2020 - U.S. Pirg

Ogden, Utah

Transit Capital Investments Planned in Utah

Utah finds itself in a unique situation, with money to spend on expanding transit capacity at a time when many transit agencies are plotting layoffs and service reductions.

December 9, 2020 - The Salt Lake Tribune

Queens, New York City

Life With Climate Change: A 100-Year Storm Every Year

The extreme weather events and sea-level rise of the relatively near future will overwhelm storm and flood infrastructure with startling regularity, according to new research.

December 9, 2020 - Earth.com

Maryland

Zoning Changes Would Allow Transit-Oriented Multi-Family Development in Montgomery County

Montgomery County, Maryland wants to put its zoning where its transit is—it's just the latest in a string of transit-oriented land use reforms for the famously suburban county.

December 9, 2020 - Bethesda Magazine

Senior Pedestrians

Insights From the Latest Livability Index

The latest edition of the AARP Livability Index reveals the U.S. regions with more of the kinds of neighborhoods that offer quality of life benefits for residents of all ages.

December 9, 2020 - Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University

California State Capital

Evaluating CEQA: The Controversial Law Turns 50

The California Environmental Quality Act, commonly referred to as CEQA for short, has been influencing planning and development in California for 50 years, creating a constant source of controversy and criticisms from both sides of the debate.

December 8, 2020 - California Planning & Development Report

Amazon Warehouse

Business Booming, Amazon Plans Big Real Estate Expansion

Amazon is moving more moving more products than ever, and the company is expanding its physical footprint to keep up with the trends.

December 8, 2020 - The Boston Globe

Montgomery County

Montgomery County Charts a New Path with 'Thrive 2050'

A new plan under development in Montgomery County, Maryland plots a course change for the famously suburban county.

December 8, 2020 - Greater Greater Washington

COVID-19

Nine Months Later: How the Pandemic Is Changing Communities

Planetizen shares the latest in a series of compendia tackling the effects of the pandemic, now and in the future, for cities and communities.

December 8, 2020 - James Brasuell

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.