Infrastructure

Conceptual Shift: New York's Growing Again
For decades, New York City's boom times lay deep in the past. Now that the city's growing again, Aaron Renn says New York may need to take cues from the Sun Belt, of all places.

Will Chicago Be the Next to Jump on the Sky Gondola?
Chicago's looking for a new tourist attraction, and the sky gondola has made the short list. Private investors have proposed to construct a sky gondola as a tourist attraction crossing over the Chicago River, but will the plan fly?
New York City Mayor Overrides Community Board on 'Boulevard of Death' Bike Lane
After the local community board removed a protected bike lane from its plans for the redesign of Queens Boulevard, Mayor Bill de Blasio restored it, under the premise of saving lives.

China's Last Wild River Could Remain Free of Dams
Plans to dam China's last wild river have been circulating since 2003, but now it seems that conservationists could emerge victorious

Investigation: Walmarts Abuse Local Police Force Resources
An investigation by the Tampa Bay Times finds Walmart stores treating local police forces like their own personal security forces.

Lead Exceeds Federal Standards in 200 Illinois Public Water Systems
A distressing report on the state of the water supply infrastructure in Illinois reveals the need for better analysis and reporting of water quality.
An Update on President Obama's 'Better Building Initiative'
A press release and fact sheet about the accomplishments of the Obama Administration's "Better Building Initiative" includes three new national programs designed to improve the efficiency and resilience of the built environment.

Construction Begins on Denver Area's Southeast Light Rail Line
A light rail line into the southeastern suburbs of Denver is getting 2.3 miles of new track.

Meet New York City's First Regional Planning Director
A city planning office with a regional focus? Such a rare beast is real in New York City. There's even a new leader at the helm of the operation.

The Backbone of Orange County
In the 1950s, southern Orange County, California was a place of open hills, citrus groves, and scattered towns. The I-5 Freeway changed that, paving the way for today's subdivisions.

'Highway Propaganda' Promotes Widening Projects
Apparently to galvanize public support, the Colorado Department of Transportation and an Ohio chamber of commerce have produced videos touting the benefits of widening projects for low-income communities.

Federal Transit Administration Threatens Metro Shutdown after Thursday's Fire
Unless D.C. Metro abides by the Federal Transit Administration safety directives issued Saturday and takes "urgent action," they threatened to shut down all or parts of the system, the nation's second busiest subway after New York's.
The Next Economic Frontier: Cities
Urbanists, test your knowledge of urban economics. Familiar with the concept of agglomeration externality? Finance professor and Bloomberg View writer Noah Smith opines it's a major reason why American cities are not as productive as they should be.

Somerville and Cambridge Offer Cash to Save Expensive Green Line Extension
The cities of Somerville and Cambridge are digging into their pockets to save the beleaguered Green Line extension project. State transportation officials could decide next week if the additional $75 million matters or not.

Ontario to Double Highway 401 Capacity in the Peel Region
A massive highway widening project will soon begin construction in the city of Mississauga, Ontario.

Failed Public-Private Partnership Leaves Bus Stops With No Shade in Los Angeles
A 2001 contract between the city of Los Angeles and CBS Decaux failed to deliver 662 shelters for bus stops. A case study in what not to do on either side of a public-private partnership follows.

Water Diversion Controversy Stifles Milwaukee Suburb's Growth Plans
The city of Waukesha asked for more water than the Great Lakes Compact would allow. Commenters remind the city of Waukesha that water for growth was never the goal of the Great Lakes Compact.

Open Today: the Kansas City Streetcar
Today, Kansas City becomes the first Midwestern city to run modern streetcar service.
Bicycle Infrastructure Fail(s)
An op-ed by Mikael Colville-Andersen of Copenhagenize Design Company.

Friday Happy Hour: A Beer Pipeline in Belgium
What was once a "pipe dream" will soon be reality.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service