Infrastructure

Colorado Town

Behind the Community-Building Mission of the Orton Family Foundation

The work of the Orton Family Foundation provides a leading example of community-driven revitalization at work in small towns all over the country, according to this feature in the Christian Science Monitor.

January 24, 2019 - The Christian Science Monitor

Electric Car Charging Stencil

New Colorado Governor's First Executive Order: Get More EVs on the Road

Colorado will join California and nine other states in requiring that a percentage of new light-duty vehicle sales are zero-emissions, thanks to the first executive order signed by Democratic Gov. Jared Polis on Jan. 17.

January 23, 2019 - Colorado Politics

Pedestrian Safety

Dangerous By Design: Streets Are Only Getting Less Safe for Pedestrians

The latest edition of the annual report by Smart Growth America and the National Complete Streets Coalition reports more and more death and tragedy on American streets and roads.

January 23, 2019 - CityLab

Alaskan Way Viaduct

The Carmageddon Myth

Seattle recently closed the Alaskan Way Viaduct, but the predicted traffic chaos hasn’t ensued.

January 23, 2019 - City Commentary

Desalination

Desalination Plants Produce More Brine Than Fresh Water

The plants provide much-needed fresh water, but the environmental costs are immense.

January 22, 2019 - National Geographic

Proterra Electric Bus

Battery-Electric Buses Might Not Be Quite Ready for Prime Time

Companies are marketing battery-electric buses as the transit vehicles of the future, but there is still much room for improvement.

January 22, 2019 - CityLab

Divvy Chicago

Public Engagement and Bike Share Planning

New York and Chicago asked residents to suggest sites for new docking stations. Most were not put at those locations, but that doesn’t mean collecting public input is not a useful and important part of the planning process, say researchers.

January 22, 2019 - CityLab

Solar Installation

'Green Zones' an Immediate Success in Minneapolis

After years of planning and development, two Green Zones in Minneapolis are attracting desired investments and paving the way for more success.

January 22, 2019 - Energy News Network

Chicago, Illinois

Lincoln Park and the Complicated History of Gentrification in Chicago

The following excerpt, written by Daniel Kay Hertz in the introduction to The Battle of Lincoln Park, challenges assumptions about the forces of gentrification in Chicago, with lessons for communities around the country.

January 22, 2019 - Daniel Kay Hertz

Las Vegas Sprawl

Video: Urban Planning Trends to Watch in 2019

Feeling a little "tl;dr" about the "Urban Planning Trends to Watch in 2019" article published by Planetizen earlier this month?

January 21, 2019 - Planetizen via YouTube

Multi-Modal

Comparing the Progress of Cities in Providing Alternatives to the Car Commute

A new online tool allows cities to measure progress in providing access to alternative forms of transportation.

January 21, 2019 - Fast Company

Dam Inspection

Inland Waterways Looking for a Comeback

Inland waterways have capacity to spare to help deal with an expected surge in freight movement around the country. Some TLC will be required to maximize that potential, however.

January 20, 2019 - Eno Center for Transportation

TransMilenio Bus Rapid Transit

Seattle Rebrands its Planned Bus Rapid Transit System: Stride

Branding and bus rapid transit go hand in hand.

January 20, 2019 - The Urbanist

TTC Subway

Plan to Speed Up Relief Line Construction Pitched in Toronto

Toronto Mayor John Tory is intervening in transit plans with a call to speed up spending and the construction timeline for the relief line, designed to relieve crowding on the city's subway system in the urban core.

January 19, 2019 - The Star

Reflection Canyon, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Needed: A New Approach to the Colorado River

In an interview with Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, former Arizona Governor and former Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbit recommends new approaches to the challenges facing the Colorado River watershed.

January 19, 2019 - Land Lines, Lincoln Institute Of Land Policy

Maryland Transit Administration

Another Lawsuit Complicates Purple Line Plans in Maryland

The 16-mile Purple Line light rail project, which connects Maryland suburbs in Montgomery and Prince George's counties to the D.C. Metro Gold, Red, and Orange lines, is facing a new lawsuit.

January 19, 2019 - The Washington Post

New York Biking

New York Needs a Bike Mayor, Say Advocates

More people are cycling in the city, and a Bike Mayor would help promote biking and encourage better, safer infrastructure.

January 18, 2019 - Metro

Two Brothers Walk to School

Safe Routes to School Have New Funding Opportunities in Oregon

The Oregon Department of Transportation announced the first round of funding for the Safe Routes to School Competitive Grant Program.

January 18, 2019 - Bike Portland

Street Cleaning Program Much Better at Writing Tickets

An investigation into Philadelphia's street cleaning program reveals a parking ticket program that doesn't benefit the city as much as it benefits the Philadelphia Parking Authority.

January 17, 2019 - WHYY

Extreme Weather

Coastal Virginia Testing a New Approach to Flood Planning

A new flood plan for Norfolk, Virginia aims to establish a new model for coastal resilience.

January 17, 2019 - The Virginian-Pilot

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.