Infrastructure

View of trucks on Interstate 15 with desert mountains in background in Southern California.

California Commission Rejects Highway Expansion Funding

The move to deny requested funds signals a shift in mindset away from rubber-stamping road projects.

December 18, 2023 - Streetsblog California

Low view of empty crosswalk at night from middle of street with blurred cars speeding by on both sides.

The Vicious Cycle at the Heart of Pedestrian Safety

When people feel unsafe, they walk less; with fewer pedestrians, walking becomes less safe.

December 17, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Aerial view of the cover park over I-70 and surrounding neighborhood with downtown Denver in background.

Opening of Denver’s New Freeway Cap Park Triggers Gentrification Fears

Local residents fear rising housing costs and displacement with the opening of a new four-acre park built on a deck bridge over the newly reconstructed and widened I-70 interstate.

December 15, 2023 - High Country News

Close-up of hand scrolling through text website on tablet lying on table.

Planetizen’s Top Posts of 2023

The most-read articles on Planetizen in 2023.

December 14, 2023 - Diana Ionescu

Amtrak train on Southern California coast.

State Leaders Warn of Risks to Southern California Rail Corridor

Coastal erosion and rising sea levels threaten one of the nation’s most scenic—and strategically important—rail corridors.

December 14, 2023 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Row of white electric vehicle chargers in an outdoor parking lot.

National EV Charging Effort Kicks Off

The first charging station funded by the federal infrastructure law just began operating in Ohio.

December 14, 2023 - Reuters

White house surrounded by several inches of tidal floodwaters.

A Different Approach to Managing Climate Displacement

As climate-driven flooding and storms put increasing pressure on coastal communities, some say the piecemeal nature of federal recovery and mitigation efforts aren’t cutting it.

December 14, 2023 - Bloomberg CityLab

Aerial view of Gillespie Bridge with metal framing and black rock mesa in background in Gillespie, Arizona.

Gila River Canal Project Pairs Water Conservation With Solar Energy

Local leaders view the first solar panel-covered water canal in the Western Hemisphere as a ‘major win’ for Indigenous water sovereignty.

December 13, 2023 - The Independent

Exterior view of a Microsoft data center. Black multistory industrial building with Microsoft logo.

Virginia Coalition Calls for Increased Data Center Industry Oversight

Environmental groups voice concern that the states large, and growing, number of data centers is putting unsustainable pressure on natural resources and utility infrastructure.

December 13, 2023 - Inside Climate News

Walkways and escalator at crowded transit station, with one person walking a bike in foreground.

10 Best, Worst States for Climate-Friendly, Equitable Transportation

California and Kentucky bookend a recent ranking of how well states are using federal infrastructure money to address climate change and racial inequities in their transportation networks.

December 12, 2023 - Route Fifty

Bird's eye view of moderately busy large freeway interchange in California.

Opinion: California Must Walk the Walk on Transportation Emissions

While state leaders tout their climate goals at COP28, residents back home continue to fight highway expansion projects that induce traffic and increase emissions.

December 11, 2023 - Streetsblog California

Close-up of 'To Trains' sign above blurred train platform in Washington, D.C.

Federal Grants for Passenger Rail Top $8 Billion

The Federal Railroad Administration announced the grants to dozens of projects for expanding or building new rail corridors.

December 11, 2023 - Mass Transit

Intersection with stoplights at night with one pedestrian waiting to cross.

Three-Quarters of U.S. Pedestrian Deaths Happen at Night

Unlike in comparable countries, U.S. pedestrians are most likely to die in traffic crashes during nighttime hours.

December 11, 2023 - The New York Times

Aerial view of freeway and Fresno, California.

Residents Question Fresno Freeway Project

Fresno residents say Caltrans failed to account for the public health risks posed by a major freeway expansion project.

December 7, 2023 - Fresnoland

View of green oil wells in a residential neighborhood in California.

Report: California’s Orphan Wells Still Pose Health Risks

Tens of thousands of idle oil wells litter the state. Taxpayers are often on the hook for cleanup.

December 6, 2023 - LAist

Elevated view of five windcatcher ventilation towers on rooftops in Yazd, Iran.

How Design Can Help Mitigate Extreme Heat

To prepare for hotter summers, designers and architects can build resilience into the urban environment.

December 6, 2023 - Sheba Ross

Rendering of white, yellow, and purple Brightline West high-speed rail train speeding along highway median with blurred cars in foreground.

Brightline West Awarded $3 Billion in Federal Funding

The high-speed rail line will cut travel time between Southern California and Las Vegas roughly in half.

December 5, 2023 - Fox 5

Milky Way in Big Bend National Park, Texas.

Turning Out the Lights on Light Pollution

Limiting light pollution can have beneficial effects for humans, animals, and the local economy.

December 5, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Close-up of exposed pipe in trench with blurred utility workers and yellow truck in background.

EPA Calls for Eliminating Lead Water Pipes in 10 Years

The mandate doesn’t include additional funding, prompting backlash from utility companies.

December 5, 2023 - Route Fifty

Outdoor public restrooms with two silver doors and icons for men, women, wheelchair accessibility, and baby changing above doors.

Baltimore Considers Public Restroom Project

The city is starting to develop a plan for adding more public restrooms downtown, where available bathrooms are scarce and historic buildings are being damaged by public urination.

December 5, 2023 - The Baltimore Banner

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.