Infrastructure

Study Compares Natural and Hybrid Infrastructure Options for Coastal Protection

As coastal communities look for new ways to build resilience, they'll need to consider options such as the natural and hybrid systems compared in a new study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

April 30, 2015 - NOAA

The Bike Highway That Almost Was

In this excerpt from the new book "LAtitudes: An Angeleno's Atlas," author Dan Koeppel tracks the 1899 Bicycle Highway from Los Angeles to Pasadena to discover why it was never finished.

April 30, 2015 - Gizmodo

Appropriations Committee Would Cut Half of D.C. Metro's Funding

A Republican spending bill would slash funding for the D.C. Metro by half. Local Democrats have called the proposal shortsighted and ill timed.

April 30, 2015 - The Hill

Federal Gas Tax Index 'Dead on Arrival' Warns House Majority Leader

The "Bridge to Sustainable Infrastructure Act" does not appear sustainable to Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), citing gas prices of $3.20 per gallon in his district in Bakersfield. A year ago, the average price in California was $4.26.

April 30, 2015 - The Hill

Protected Bike Lane Added to Cleveland's 'Opportunity Corridor' Mix

Few planning efforts in the country have provoked as much commentary and criticism as Cleveland's $330 million Opportunity Corridor. The city recently pushed for more improvements, and the state seems receptive.

April 29, 2015 - The Plain Dealer

Mt. Hood and Traffic

A Serious Shortcoming in Oregon's Road Usage Charge?

Business providers have been chosen; the website is operating with a calculator and awaiting 5,000 participants to register. But is the 1.5 cent per mile flat rate an inherent flaw of the OReGO road usage charge program?

April 29, 2015 - Planetizen

Army Corps Finally Clears Way for Dallas' Trinity River Project

A long time coming—the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers now supports a comprehensive plan to transform the Trinity River in Dallas.

April 29, 2015 - The Dallas Morning News

Toll Road Truck

Is the Road Usage Charge the Future of Road Funding?

"The road usage charge is the logical evolution in the way we fund surface transportation," stated Patrick Jones, Executive Director of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association at their annual transportation conference in Portland.

April 28, 2015 - Planetizen

Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte Confronts Big Asphalt

For the Charlotte Observer, Ely Portillo reports on a forum calling for urbanist reforms and doubts whether auto-loving residents will be receptive.

April 28, 2015 - The Charlotte Observer

Nepal Earthquake a Reminder of the Critical Role of Planning Enforcement

It's too late to save the lives of thousands in Nepal, but can other cities in South Asia and around the world learn from the mistakes of unplanned growth before another catastrophic event?

April 28, 2015 - CityLab

Tolling, Road User Charge Examined at Annual Transportation Conference

Transportation finance and road usage charging are the themes of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association's annual conference held in Portland from April 26 to 28 in downtown Portland. Oregon's road usage charge begins July 1.

April 27, 2015 - Planetizen

Welcome to Minnesota

Op-Ed: Minneapolis Pedestrian Bridge to Nowhere

Okay, technically it leads to the new Vikings stadium, but Nick Magrino doubts its benefits justify $6 million of public spending. A proportion of the Metropolitan Council is inclined to agree.

April 27, 2015 - MinnPost

Minneapolis Getting Bike Friendlier

The city of Minneapolis will add 30 miles of protected bike lanes to its city, especially around Downtown.

April 25, 2015 - Streetsblog USA

Income Tax Cut Fuels South Carolina Gas Tax Debate

The nation's third lowest gas tax will likely see a 10-cent gas tax hike—with or without Gov. Nikki Haley's signature, who insists on a larger income tax reduction than in the bill that overwhelmingly passed the House and is now in the Senate.

April 25, 2015 - WSOC

Freeway Construction

U.S. DOT Will Allow and Encourage Local Hiring

The U.S. Department of Transportation has changed its rules in favor of local hiring: a pilot program will even encourage it. Minorities traditionally barred from high-paying construction work stand to benefit.

April 24, 2015 - Next City

Complete Streets

Report: Complete Streets Deliver More Than Just Good Vibes

Better safety and multimodal ease are not the only benefits offered by complete streets. According to this report, on the average they pay for themselves and then some.

April 24, 2015 - ASLA The Dirt

TxDOT Planning Realignment of Interstate 45 in Downtown Houston

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is currently planning a significant realignment of I-45, which runs downtown. The plan could remove an elevated portion of the highway known as Pierce Elevated.

April 24, 2015 - Houston Public Media

Idaho Surprise: Gas Tax Hike Signed Into Law

The legislature passed the seven-cent increase on April 11, the final day of the legislative session. Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter signed the bill on April 21, also increasing registration fees by $21. On April 1, the bill had been considered dead.

April 24, 2015 - Northwest Public Radio

Orange Line Bus

Los Angeles May Upgrade Orange Line BRT to Rail

The San Fernando Valley's Orange Line bus rapid transit enjoys solid ridership. For an area of the city especially under-served by trains, investing in light rail might be a viable option.

April 22, 2015 - Los Angeles Times

Will This Bipartisan House Bill to Index the Gas Tax Succeed?

The Bridge to Sustainable Infrastructure Act is taken seriously in Congress. With 17 bipartisan co-sponsors, it would index the gas tax to inflation, thus increasing the Highway Trust Fund revenue and bridging to a sustainable revenue source.

April 21, 2015 - The Hill

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.