Infrastructure
For Stability and Sustainability, the World Needs Microgrids
Solar and wind power are cheaper than ever, but they remain variable. To make the best use of renewable resources, the electrical grid needs to network more small free-standing power sources together.
Portland Bike Lanes and the Danger of Half-Measures
Willamette's new bike lanes make for an important link in Portland's bike infrastructure, but building unprotected bike lanes on a high-speed street carries risk.
Huge Toll Lane Setback in Texas
In a landmark, unanimous vote, the Texas Transportation Commission eliminated all 15 express lane projects from their 10-year capital plan despite pleas from Austin area officials to retain the $8 billion, I-35 project that includes four toll lanes.
What the Final Tax Reform Bill Has in Store for Housing and Development
The final version of the tax reform bill included some surprises with regard to housing and infrastructure funding mechanisms threatened in previous version of the bill.
Streetcar from St. Paul to Airport Takes an Initial Step Forward
Regional interests around the Twin Cities are considering a proposal that would connect St. Paul to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and the city of Bloomington by streetcar.
More Buses Will Travel on the Shoulder to Skip Traffic in Seattle
Soon, Sound Transit buses will start traveling on the shoulder to skip a perpetually congested stretch of I-5. Over a dozen Sound Transit and Community Transit express routes operate on the 2.5-mile stretch.
Nominate the 'Best Urban Street Transformation' of 2017
Streetsblog USA is seeking nominations.
Public is Receptive to Plans for Express Lanes on Hwy 101 in Bay Area
Caltrans hopes to build two 14-mile high-occupancy toll lanes on Hwy 101 in San Mateo County, one of the region's most congested corridors that lacks carpool lanes. The $534 million project would begin construction in 2019.
5G Broadband Coming in 2018, Says Verizon
The telecommunications company will debut the next-generation technology in three to five cities next year, including Sacramento.
California to Explore Next Steps in Converting From Gas Tax to Road Charge
A summary report of California's 9-month pilot program to test the use of a mileage charge to replace the gas tax to fund road infrastructure has been released. Next steps include exploring available technology to implement the road charge.
Santa Monica Wants to Stop Importing Water by 2020
This is a story about green building practices, conservation, and rainwater capture—not desalinization.
Modal Friction on the Brooklyn Bridge
The popularity of crossing New York City's second oldest bridge by foot and pedal is causing friction between the two modes on the promenade above six lanes of motor vehicle traffic. A report released for NYCDOT proposes recommendations.
3M Co. and Others Sued in Tennessee River Pollution Case
Another large corporation is accused of misleading the public about its impacts on the environment. This time, drinking water is at stake.
As the State Abandons Public Transit, Is a Regional Solution Possible for Northeast Ohio?
Many states cover around 20 percent of the costs of public transit. In Ohio, that figure has dropped to 1 percent.
A Detroit Neighborhood 'Sentenced to Die'
A handful of Delray residents refuse to be displaced by industry, but the plan for a new bridge may mean they don't have a choice.
What Jail Can't Do
Frank Greene and Kenneth Ricci discuss the changing paradigms of half a century of justice architecture and what we should ask — and expect — from courts and jails.
Bay Area Express Lanes Turn a Profit
Not all of them, just the I-580 lanes. One of the reasons is that most users are actually paying, unlike the other two express lanes where a majority of users are clean-air vehicles or carpools, neither of which pay.
Shared Street Mixes Pedestrians and Cars—Truly Radical
A new development in Washington, D.C. features the largest "shared space" in the United States.
Follow Up Questions for Toronto's Big 'Smart City' Plan
When it comes to "smart city" plans, there might not be a bigger blockbuster than the partnership between Waterfront Toronto and Sidewalk Labs, a unit of Google's parent company, Alphabet.
All Aboard Florida's Brightline Set to Launch this Month
The privately funded, diesel-powered trains will run at speeds up to 79 mph between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, with an extension to Miami opening early next year. Real estate development is key to profitability.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
