Infrastructure

Stop Sign Intersection

On the Benefits of Traffic Signal Removal

Certain intersections stand to gain from losing their traffic lights. According to this study, cities can save money and improve safety by uninstalling signals in low-traffic zones.

May 7, 2015 - CityLab

Battle Over Federal 'Clean Water Rule' Heats Up

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers have drafted a new Clean Water Rule to clarify the regulatory powers of the Clan Water Act. In response, some members of Congress authored opposing legislation.

May 7, 2015 - NRDC Switchboard

The Lake Mead Water Crisis Explained

The water level in Lake Mead dropped to an all-time low at the end of April, falling below 1080 feet above sea level for the first time in 78 years.

May 6, 2015 - Brookings

Michigan's Sweeping Road Funding Amendment Loses in a Landslide

Proposition 1 would have enacted broad reforms in road funding policies and programs in Michigan. Despite Governor Rick Snyder and the State Legislature's efforts, however, voters soundly defeated the measure in a statewide election this week.

May 6, 2015 - Detroit Free Press

The First Four Months of 2015 State Gas Tax Increases

Transportation for America makes it easy to keep track of the seven states that have passed legislation to raise, or stem the fall of, gas tax revenue, with an in-depth look at how the first state, Iowa, increased fuel taxes.

May 6, 2015 - T4America Blog

Welcome to the 'Age of Animals as Infrastructure'

Animals are more than just guests or co-habitants in our cities, according to an article in New Scientist—they're a critical component of the infrastructure that keeps cities running.

May 6, 2015 - New Scientist

Mapping Chicago's 375 Tax Increment Financing Projects

A new mapping project allows new access to information about Chicago's controversial tax increment financing mechanism. Now at least the debate will include visuals.

May 6, 2015 - Curbed Chicago

Highlights from CNU 23 Dallas

Having just wrapped up a great CNU in Dallas, April 29 through May 2, a collection of urbanists share some of the ideas that resonated the most.

May 6, 2015 - PlaceShakers

Politicos Hope to Speed Up Central Florida's $2.3 Billion Highway Project

Inside the push to speed up the project known as I-4 Ultimate in Central Florida—the $2.3 billion would tear down and rebuild 40 miles of the interstate.

May 5, 2015 - Orlando Business Journal

20 Years of Planning for Streetcars in Washington, D.C.

In anticipation of the expected opening of the H Street/Benning Road streetcar line in Washington, D.C., Peter Dovak examines the evolution of streetcar planning over the past 20 years.

May 5, 2015 - Greater Greater Washington

Northbound Amtrak

Why Is American Passenger Rail So Far Behind?

In a segment for WNYC, journalist Simon van Zuylen-Wood discusses Amtrak's current status as a "national embarrassment." Decades of lackluster investment, he argues, make it difficult to prove demand in the first place.

May 5, 2015 - WNYC

Older Oil Tank Rail Cars Face Three-Year Deadline to be Replaced

Following up on last month's emergency rule addressing trains speeds, the Transportation Department issued new rules addressing tanker car standards, long thought to be one of the most important factors contributing to fiery oil tank car explosions.

May 4, 2015 - The New York Time - Energy & Environment

Cancellation an Option as Costs Jump for Minneapolis' Light Rail Extension

An already controversial project got bad news earlier this week, as substantial increases in the expected cost of the Southwest LRT extension added more fuel to the fire for opponents of the project.

May 3, 2015 - MinnPost

Toll Lanes Continue to Spread on Southern California Freeways

To the chagrin of many Orange County transportation leaders, two express lanes will be added to each direction on a 14-mile stretch of the 405 (San Diego) Freeway, one through conversion, and a general purpose lane funded in part by Measure M added.

May 3, 2015 - KPCC

Bicycle traffic light in Berlin

Has Alternative Transportation Received Too Much Attention?

Joseph Stomberg of Vox has initiated a series of articles on commuting in America, the first based on the issues explaining the domination of the auto, the second on the debate about the driving decline associated with millennials.

May 3, 2015 - Vox

Survey Says: Invest in Walking in East Portland

The results of a multi-lingual survey of residents in East Portland produced surprising results about which transportation investments are most desired.

May 2, 2015 - Bike Portland

On the Texas-Sized Failure of Regional Transportation Planning

The Dallas Morning News investigated over promising and under delivering by regional mobility authorities in Texas.

May 2, 2015 - The Dallas Morning News

Bill to End Colorado's Rain Barrel Ban Floundering in the State Senate

The state that bears the same name as the river that provides water for much of the western United States is also the last state in the country to ban the use of residential water barrels.

May 1, 2015 - American Rivers

Silicon Valley's Latest Innovation: Recycled Water

A proposed $800 million facility in Santa Clara County will put recycled water on the tech boom's doorstep.

May 1, 2015 - San Jose Mercury News

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

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.