Infrastructure

Key Planning Details of the Proposed $1.9 Billion Rail Bridge Between D.C. and Virginia
Analysis of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a project that would add an additional bridge to supplement the rail capacity of the Long Bridge over the Potomac River.

Human Waste as a Climate Solution
Using treated waste as an agricultural fertilizer is controversial, but the practice has several climate-related benefits.

It's Organic! The End of Conjecture and the Science Ahead
The history of inquiry into the "organic" nature of cities has revealed findings that inform the practice of urban planning.

Which Houston Metro Board Members Actually Use Transit?
A review of board members' Q Cards reveals the extent to which the people who implement Houston's transit policy actually use the system: some quite a bit, some not so much.

Opinion: Proposed $21 Billion Transportation Spending Plan a Step in the Right Direction
A representative of the Regional Plan Association calls for Connecticut's political leadership to go even further in changing the transportation and land use planning paradigm in the state.
Silo-Breaking Sustainability or Real-Life Lorax: L.A.’s First City Forest Officer
The city of L.A.’s first city forest officer, Rachel Malarich, opines on her new role in facilitating cooperation between the city’s departments to achieve a more equitable urban canopy.

Austin to Ban Cars From Popular Street on Weekends
An entertainment district in Austin will soon be the sole province of pedestrians on busy weekend nights.

Penalty for Paying Cash for Transit Fare Fails the Equity Test
A proposal to charge riders who pay fare in cash an extra 25 cents faces criticism.

Nation's Top Safety Board Recommends Protected Bike Lanes
The NTSB chair issued a stark warning on Nov. 5: "If we do not improve roadway infrastructure for bicyclists, bicyclists will die who otherwise would not," stated Robert Sumwalt in introducing their first report in 47 years devoted to bike safety.

New 'Smart Cities Challenge' Focuses on Intersection Technology
A group of ten cities have been announced as semi-finalists in the Smart Cities Challenge sponsored by Parson Corporation.

Philly Testing New Approach to Bus Priority
Philadelphia planners hope to achieve benefits to traffic safety and transit performance by restricting automobile use of lanes along Roosevelt Boulevard.

The Atlanta Region's First Bus Rapid Transit Line
The first bus rapid transit line planned in the Atlanta region relies on federal approval.

L.A.'s Strategy for 'Universal Basic Mobility'
Los Angeles Department of Transportation General Manager Seleta Reynolds emphasizes the importance of riders' perspective on access when redesigning the transit system.

Berkeley to Explore 'Idaho Stop' Policy for People on Bikes
Berkeley could decide to deprioritize enforcement of people on bikes who treat stop signs as yield signs when the intersection is free of traffic.

Pittsburgh to Oakland BRT Making Planning Progress
An ambitious plan to connect the Allegheny County cities of Pittsburgh and Oakland is proceeding to final stages of design, despite having fallen a little behind schedule for an expected 2021 opening date.

Preserving Affordable Housing Along the Brightline in South Florida
The South Florida Housing Link Collaborative is working to develop and preserve affordable housing along South Florida's intercity rail line, in the process of transitioning to the Virgin Trains USA brand, as prices along the route climb.

'Project Connect' Bus System Plan Underway in Austin
Austin is the latest city in the United States to undertake a massive overhaul of its bus system, designing for a high frequency grid.

Flood Barrier Approved for Manhattan's East Side
A plan to build a flood barrier between Manhattan and the East River overcame some last minute controversy on its way to approval this month.

An Ambitious Approach to Planning a Small Texas City
Bastrop, a fast-growing city located north of Austin, is plotting growth on a street grid.
Sir Rod Stewart, the Super Passionate Model Railroad Builder
Celebrities: they're just like we wish we had the time, space, and money to be.
Pagination
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.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
Tyler Technologies
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions