Infrastructure

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

Slow, Hazardous Progress for Chicago's Navy Pier Flyover Project

A report on the progress so far on the Navy Pier Flyover, a half-mile bridge for recreational users on Chicago's Lakefront Trail.

April 20, 2015 - Chicago Tribune

The Conservative Method of Resilience Planning

Explaining how planning and building for resilience reconciles with Conservative politics.

April 20, 2015 - City Journal

10-Cent Gas Tax Increase Proposed for Road Maintenance in California

SB 16 would also increase the diesel tax (which hasn't been raised in over two decades) by 12-cents, charge electric vehicles a flat $100 annual fee, and increase registration and license fees.

April 20, 2015 - Planetizen

Road Diet Scheduled for Two of Akron's Most Dangerous Streets

Two streets in Akron, one-way and four or five lanes across, have become too much of a safety hazard, and city officials are ready to make a change.

April 20, 2015 - WKYC

Report Assesses Expressway Removal Options for the Toronto Waterfront

A recently released report makes the case for removing, in part or in full, an elevated span of roadway along the Toronto Waterfront.

April 19, 2015 - The Toronto Star

Transit Cuts in Wisconsin Making it Harder to Connect People to Jobs

Buses in the Milwaukee County Transit System now reach 1,300 fewer employers than it did in 2001 thanks to state budget cuts.

April 18, 2015 - Urban Milwaukee

Planning for New Protected Bike Lanes in Northeast Seattle

The Seattle Department of Transportation is pitching new bike routes as safe infrastructure for all ages.

April 18, 2015 - The Urbanist

Drinking Water

The Case for Desalination: Option of Last Resort for Some California Cities

In this radio report on the use of the expensive, controversial strategy of desalination to meet California's water needs in an epic drought, KQED's science reporter speaks with the mayor of Carmel, a V.P. of Poseidon Water, and an environmentalist.

April 18, 2015 - NPR-Morning Edition

Dallas Takes Largest Version of the Trinity Toll Road Off the Table

It seems like the political winds are moving against the Dallas Trinity Toll Road proposal—but the debate isn't over yet.

April 18, 2015 - The Dallas Morning News

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

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.