Infrastructure

Washington, D.C. Has New Contraflow Bike Lanes
Sometimes small additions can make a big difference when it comes to bike infrastructure.

Environmental Justice Wins With Coal Ban in Oakland
The City Council in Oakland, California took its first, substantive steps toward banning the handling and storage of coal in the city.

Final Advice for the Houston Bike Plan as it Nears the Finish Line
Bike advocates are hoping that the Houston Bike Plan can achieve full council approval in July. The Houston Chronicle hopes the bike plan will be for everyone (not just hipsters).

First New Portland-Area Highway in 34 Years Opens Today
The sun rises on the new Sunrise Expressway in Oregon.

An In-Depth Look at Sea Level Rise in the San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Chronicle gives feature-length, in-depth treatment to the looming dangers of sea level rise, which are more likely to encroach on the built and natural environments of the Bay Area with every passing year.

Mexico City Coalition Dreams of Restoring Rivers
A proposal to restore Mexico City's 45 rivers envisions a whole new model for the city.

Mapping the World of Bacteria Alive in the World's Subways
A project launched several years ago in New York City is making its way to cities around the world—much like the bacteria that the world's billions of transit users transfer around the surfaces of subway trains, stations, and buses.

Why is Missouri Holding Up a High-Voltage Transmission Line for Wind Energy?
The 'Show Me State' nixed a 780-mile high voltage transmission line to carry wind energy generated in western Kansas through Missouri to Indiana, where it would transmitted to the East Coast.
Sweden to Test Overhead Power Lines for Heavy Transport
Electric roads (no, not solar powered pavement) will get a test run in Sweden.

It's the 60th Birthday of the Interstate Highway System
A new report commemorates the 60th birthday of the interstate highway system with statistics (some politically motivated) that summarize the state of the nation's largest public works project.

New York Launches New Pedestrian Safety Plan
The New York State Pedestrian Safety Action Plan will invest $110 million to improve pedestrian safety in the state of New York.

D.C. Metro to Layoff 500 Employees
More bad news for the beleaguered transit agency of our nation's capital, as declining ridership and prolonged service disruptions have now given way to large-scale layoffs throughout the organization.

Legislation Advanced to Release State Funding for Caltrain Electrification
As a result of a critical lawsuit that California high-speed rail opponents lost last March, a bill to release $1.1 billion in 2008 bond funds has been advanced to fund high-speed rail 'bookend' projects, particularly Caltrain electrification.

Who Does Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s New Funding Plan Leave Out?
If the Metro Board passes the proposed $40 billion expenditure plan, millions of Los Angeles residents will still not have access to good public transit for decades.

Planetizen Week in Review: June 24, 2016
The biggest news stories of a big week in planning and land use—all in just over two minutes.

Is Glen Canyon Dam Obsolete?
As climate changes in the Rockies and the southwest, Lake Powell is gradually shrinking. The debate over Glen Canyon Dam is on again, and this time environmentalists aren't the only ones against it.

District DOT Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Bus Transit
Washington, D.C. is the latest place to find traffic lanes emblazoned with a bright red coat of paint to welcome transit while barring cars.

Milwaukee Suburb Allowed Unprecedented Water Diversion from Lake Michigan
The city of Waukesha will be able to pump water from the Great Lakes to replace its contaminated local ground water supply. It's the first community outside the Great lakes watershed allowed to divert water under terms of the Great Lakes Compact.

Parking Spaces Give Way to Stormwater-Collecting Dumpsters in Gowanus
A project proposal from Alloy Development and the Gowanus Canal Conservancy makes creative use of space to achieve stormwater benefits in the neighborhood surrounding the Gowanus Canal.

Traffic Projections Missing from $6 Billion Tampa Bay Express Toll Road Plans
A Tampa Bay Times columnist continues a crusade against the faulty projections that enable toll road construction projects in Florida, and the sprawling development patterns that follow.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie