Infrastructure

Pocketbook Power to the People: Chicago Expands Participatory Budgeting

Five years after Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood pioneered participatory budgeting in the United States, the bottom-up budgeting practice is gaining adherents across the country. Can Rogers Park's experiment find success citywide?

November 12, 2013 - Next City

When Will Laws and Attitudes Catch Up With Cycling's Growth?

Cyclist deaths are rising across the U.S., but in most cities and states, drivers are rarely punished. As more people embrace cycling and more cities encourage it; it's time our laws, infrastructure, and attitudes are reformed to make cycling safer.

November 11, 2013 - The New York Times

Philippines Devastated by Record Typhoon

Reports of horrific destruction are starting to emerge after one of the strongest storms on record slammed the Philippines over the weekend. The government estimates that 10 percent of the country has been affected.

November 11, 2013 - The Washington Post

Cyclist Deaths Spur London Mayor to Increase Protected Bike Lanes

Recent deaths along London's cycling "superhighway" have forced Mayor Boris Johnson to rethink how to protect users of the city's expanding cycling infrastructure from vehicle collisions.

November 8, 2013 - The Guardian

Obama Renews Push for Infrastructure Spending, But Is Anyone Listening?

While President Obama's push for much-needed infrastructure investment in the face of opposition and inaction may be admirable, one must ask if his continued pleas are falling on deaf ears. Could the political winds be changing?

November 8, 2013 - The New York Times

How Can We Provoke "Peak Waste"?

Because city residents generate four times as much trash as rural residents, the rapid growth of the world's cities is leading to the rapid growth of the world's garbage. A new study examines future trash troubles and potential solutions.

November 8, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Itemizing the Cost of a Great Street

Great streets don't come cheap. From bike lanes to planters to special signage, it takes more than curbs and concrete to make a nice street. The Grid itemizes what it costs to outfit a specific intersection in Toronto's St. Clair West neighborhood.

November 7, 2013 - The Grid

How Would You Transform London's Forgotten Spaces?

In one of the world's most desirable cities, even the most unattractive and leftover spaces carry the potential for regeneration. An exhibit staged in Somerset House's own forgotten space shares innovative ideas to transform London's lesser places.

November 7, 2013 - Untapped Cities

Top 20 Weird & Wonderful Urban Bridges

Though meant to unite, bridges can be divisive structures. What should a bridge really be? Does clever design matter, or is it all about function? Here are 20 bridges from around the world that stand out as interesting, if not always functional.

November 7, 2013 - Future Cities

The Irony of Ring Roads

One way to address traffic congestion is to provide a bypass for vehicles around city traffic machinations. Ring roads, by definition, are meant to perform that function. In reality, they ignore the supply and demand model of traffic management.

November 7, 2013 - Steven Snell

L.A.'s Next Superhighway

Could Los Angeles get a private company to spend $3 billion to $5 billion to connect every residence and business in the city to a fiber broadband network? City leaders seem to think so, and are planning to move forward with an RFP.

November 6, 2013 - Ars Technica

Ambitious Network to Cover 40% of Hamburg in Green

Imagine being able to traverse a major city surrounded entirely by bikes, pedestrians, and green spaces. That vision is poised to become reality in Hamburg within the next two decades as the city pursues plans for a vast Grünes Netz (Green Network).

November 6, 2013 - The Guardian

NYC: 7 Things at Risk, Post-Bloomberg

As Mayor Bloomberg gets set to leave office in New York, here are 7 things that may dramatically change under a new administration.

November 6, 2013 - Future Cities

Tappan Zee Scores Largest Ever TIFIA Loan, But How Will It Be Repaid?

New York State received good news on Oct. 31: A $1.6 billion loan has been approved toward the $4 billion replacement of the Tappan Zee Bridge. The remainder will be borrowed from the private sector. A commission will offer ways to repay the loans.

November 5, 2013 - The Buffalo News

Did Republicans Orchestrate a National High-Speed Derailment?

Was the demise of plans for high-speed rail in several states run by Republican governors the result of fiscal prudence or a case of political collusion? A new report in the Tampa Tribune suggests the latter.

November 5, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Tolls are not Taxes, Rules Virginia's Supreme Court

They are fees, ruled the court on Oct. 31, overturning a May 1, Portsmouth circuit judge ruling in a major victory for both tolling and public-private partnerships. It allows tolls to fund the Elizabeth River Crossings, VDOT's P3 tunnels project.

November 4, 2013 - Bloomberg

This California Jail is Off the Grid

The Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, California isn’t your average prison complex. Its independent power system, or microgrid, sets it apart from its peers—and saves an estimated $100,000 a year.

November 3, 2013 - The Atlantic

Climate Change Threatens Global Food Supply

The leaked draft of a new report by the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns of the disturbing affect a warming planet will have on food production. The panel's last report had been more sanguine about the impacts.

November 3, 2013 - The New York Times

Cities and Businesses Aim to Wipe Out Demolition Waste

Cities and businesses are looking to reduce waste from demolition sites and increase the amount of recycled material used in new developments.

November 1, 2013 - Future Cities

Public-Private Partnerships: Trick or Treat?

As localities increasingly pursue public-private partnerships to fund much-needed infrastructure projects, Ryan Holeywell explores the promise and pitfalls of this popular financing arrangement. Are dissenting voices being stifled?

October 31, 2013 - Governing

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.