Infrastructure

Power Outage on North Carolina's Outer Banks Could Last Over a Week
A power outage that began in North Carolina's Outer Banks on Thursday of last week is expected to continue for three to five more days. Mandatory evacuations have devastated the area during its peak tourism season.

Electrifying California: Volkswagen Settlement Approved
The biggest obstacle to the adoption of electric vehicles in California, a shortage of charging infrastructure, just became a lot more manageable thanks to $200 million from Volkswagen stemming the from the dieselgate settlement.

Is There Space for Planning in Trump's News Cycle?
An analysis of Planetizen traffic in the first six months of the Trump Administration reveals an audience still focused, despite so many distractions, on the future of communities.

New Oil Refineries Queuing Up in Texas
The return of the refinery: after several decades without any new refineries, two plans are moving forward in Texas.

Bad Housing Policies Worsening Slums Around the World
Richard Florida argues that policies in cities around the world are making it harder on those most in need of housing.

Border Wall Plans Following the Path of Least Resistance
Planning of President Trump's proposed border wall is moving along very quietly, and quickly, at a federal wildlife refuge in Texas.

Trump's Infrastructure Plan a Boon for Private Interests
President Trump's proposed infrastructure plans intends to shift ownership of much of America's infrastructure into private hands. Rebecca Burns argues that this approach will benefit the country's richest at the expense of the rest of the country.

Another Nail in the Coffin of the Internal Combustion Engine?
Is the movement away from gasoline and diesel-powered cars unstoppable? In response to air pollution litigation, the British government announced on July 26 that sales of gasoline and diesel vehicles would be banned by 2040.

Building Resilience? There's a Standard for That
Resilience standards—like LEED--could transform building practices. But there are many standards to choose from, and few are aware that they exist. A new report helps planners and builders choose the right standard for every project.

Portland Hoping for $1.3 Billion Renovation of its Airport
The Portland International Airport is getting its first major upgrade since 1956. Airlines would have to split the bill.
Bike Lane Removed in Atlanta—Controversy Remains
The city of Atlanta received one of six grants totaling $100,000 from outdoor retailer REI to install a protected bike lane on Westview Drive. A year later the bike lane has been removed and the experience has inspired a lot of soul searching.
Autonomous Vehicles and Streets: A Guide to Potential Impacts
As the arrival of autonomous vehicles (AVs) becomes more of a reality, cities need to start considering how this new technology will affect streets and street networks. This brief guide provides an overview and resources on this topic.
Los Angeles Can't Stick to its Road Diet
A high-profile controversy over a decision by the city of Los Angeles to remove a vehicle lane in either direction has finally come to an end. The vehicle lanes will be restored.

Senate Appropriations Committee Restores TIGER Grant Program
Unlike the House Appropriations Committee's DOT budget that reduces spending by almost 4 percent from current levels and eliminates the TIGER grant program, its Senate counterpart increased transportation spending, including the TIGER grant budget.

Manhattan's Midtown East Rezoning Wins Critical Approval
A City Council committee's approval of a proposed rezoning of Midtown East represents a big win for the de Blasio Administration. The Bloomberg Administration fell short in an efforts to upzone the neighborhood in 2013.

New Pedestrian Crossing Between California and Mexico Opening Next Week
The latest in a series of new pedestrian crossings at the Mexico-U.S. border between San Ysidro and El Chaparral opens on July 31.
Long-Awaited Hartford to New Haven Commuter Rail Expected in 2018
Starting in May 2018: 17 daily round trips between New Haven and Hartford, including 12 trips continuing on to Springfield.

10 Facts That Explain Crosswalks
These examples are specific to Washington, D.C., but many of the facts listed in this article will apply elsewhere, too.
Court Decision Forces Seattle to Improve Sidewalk Infrastructure
The city of Seattle has finally been compelled to maintain pedestrian infrastructure in keeping with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In a Perfect World, Maintenance Is the Coolest Trend in Infrastructure
The New York Times opinion section includes a call for society, politicians, and business leaders to recognize the importance of maintenance.
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.
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Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie