Infrastructure

Blue Line

Blue Lines on Streets to Honor Police Run Afoul of Federal Regulators

The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) has prohibited local municipalities from painting a blue line down the middle of streets near police stations. State and local governments are pushing back, saying the prohibition "defies common sense."

January 15, 2017 - The Record

Union Station Chicago

First on Chicago's Wish List from the Trump Administration: $1 Billion for Union Station

The Emanuel Administration has yet to secure needed funding for a big project to update Chicago's Union Station. Now it's up to the Trump Administration to supply a needed loan.

January 14, 2017 - Crain's Chicago Business

Sacramento

The Details of Sacramento's Proposed Downtown Streetcar Line

The cities of West Sacramento and Sacramento have high hopes for a streetcar line planned for some of the most beautiful and urban neighborhoods in the region. The Trump Administration could still change the course of the project, however.

January 13, 2017 - The Sacramento Bee

Schools

Lead Testing Mandated in Illinois Schools

After a scandal exposed widespread lead contamination in Chicago schools, new legislation requires regular lead testing.

January 13, 2017 - Politico

Green Line

The Green Line: a Boon to Washington, D.C.

How has the Green Line benefitted the economy of Washington, D.C.? A new report counts the ways.

January 13, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Green Line, Los Angeles

Review of November 2016 Transportation Ballot Measures

About 50 transportation measures appeared on local ballots on November 8, 2016. To date, Planetizen reviewed outcomes in nine regions in six states. Here we compare the measures in terms of revenue, taxes, projects, and reasons for failure.

January 12, 2017 - Planetizen

Henan

iPhone City in Zhengzhou

Foxconn and millions who work at Apple's many suppliers make their homes in Zhengzhou, a place many in China call iPhone City.

January 12, 2017 - The New York Times

AirTrain

The Impossible Dream: A One-Seat Ride to JFK

The goal of someday getting on a train in Manhattan and getting off the same train at JKFK International Airport might seem impossible, but it's not. It would be expensive and difficult, however.

January 11, 2017 - RPA Lab

Electronic Waste

The Upside of the Looming Resource Crisis

The concept of the circular economy is starting to take hold on governments and business throughout the world. Peter Moskowitz discusses the various ways the concept is being translated into practical, real-world solutions.

January 11, 2017 - Doggerel

Nuclear New York

Indian Point Nuclear Plant to Shut Down by 2021

Continuing a string of high-profile infrastructure announcements, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a deal to shut down the Indian Point Nuclear Plant, located less than 30 miles from Midtown Manhattan.

January 11, 2017 - The New York Times

Buffalo

Buffalo Billion II Promises Light Rail Extension and More

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is making a tour of his State of the State address, delivering six separate speeches in different parts of the state. His stop in Buffalo made news for its promised capital investments.

January 11, 2017 - Buffalo Rising

Madison Bike

A New Long-Range Transportation Plan for Madison, WI

Proposed long-range transportation plan for Madison emphasizes biking, walking, bus rapid transit.

January 10, 2017 - The Capital Times

Chicago Gets a $1.1 Billion Federal Grant for North Side Transit Improvements

The city of Chicago was working hard to win the federal funding while the Obama Administration is still in power.

January 9, 2017 - The Chicago Tribune

Subway Quiz: What Long-Awaited Line Opened Four Days Before the Second Ave Subway?

The 4.6-mile subway operates like some AirTrains in the U.S. that automatically whisk travelers between airport terminals without drivers and with platform screen doors at stations for enhanced safety. Where is the new line located?

January 9, 2017 - South China Morning Post

More Details of Bus Rapid Transit's Expanding Reach in San Francisco

The Geary bus corridor was the #1 pick for a subway according to a Muni survey, but commuters will have to settle for bus rapid transit. A milestone was reached when the San Francisco County Transportation Authority approved the design and EIR.

January 9, 2017 - SF Gate

JFK International

$10 Billion Overhaul of JFK International Proposed

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo continued his track record of pushing for big, splashy infrastructure projects last week, this time turning the state's attention to JFK International.

January 9, 2017 - The Architect's Newspaper

Bus Lane

13 Years Later—Environmental Review for San Francisco Bus Rapid Transit Project Complete

The California Environmental Quality Act-mandated review process for a proposed bus rapid transit project in San Francisco took 13 years to complete.

January 8, 2017 - San Francisco Examiner

Pedestrians

More States Diverting Funds for Walking and Biking

The Transportation Alternatives program is designed to give states power over federal transportation funding for pedestrian and bike infrastructure projects. A loophole is defeating that purpose, however.

January 8, 2017 - Streetsblog USA

Checking in on Two of Seattle's Bike Infrastructure Plans

The city of Seattle is moving through the planning and design stages on two important bike infrastructure projects located at the south end of Downtown.

January 7, 2017 - The Urbanist

Broadway Bus Lane in Everett

Applying the Tricks of Tactical Urbanism to Transit

The semi-legal world of quick, informal city improvements called tactical urbanism is finding a home inside transit departments.

January 7, 2017 - TransitCenter

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.