Infrastructure

Rebuilding of Roads and Bridges are Key to Colorado Flood Recovery

This month's deluge resulted in damage or total destruction of "an estimated 200 miles of state highways and 50 bridges" in over 12 counties, estimated to cost $475 million. Contracts have been awarded for "initial work to be completed by Dec. 1".

September 30, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal - U.S. News

Updates Seek to Strengthen California's Water Plan and Build Consensus

Jeff Kightlinger, General Manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, discusses Governor Brown's Bay Delta Conservation Plan and the risks natural disasters and climate change pose to California's water infrastructure.

September 29, 2013 - The Planning Report

residential downtown in Singapore

How Do You Grow One of the World's Densest Cities Without New Land?

Singapore has built skywards and taken back land from the sea to accommodate its booming population. But as the city-state runs out of options for future growth, it's looking underground to build infrastructure, offices, and even public spaces.

September 26, 2013 - The New York Times

In Five Short Years, High-Speed Rail Revolutionizes Chinese Transport

Five years after it opened, it looks like China's bet on high-speed rail is paying off. The system has increased mobility and worker productivity and stimulated development in areas near stations. The country will continue to expand the system.

September 25, 2013 - The New York Times

10 Cities Most at Risk From Natural Disasters

Natural disasters affect millions of people each year, and cost between $60 billion and $100 billion worldwide. Here are the 10 global cities most at risk.

September 25, 2013 - Future Cities

Along New York's Waterfront, An Opportunity Without Peer

New York's lengthy waterfront was once dotted with an extensive array of piers, reaching like tentacles from the city's shores into the surrounding harbor and rivers. As the city again embraces its waterfront, those that remain are getting new life.

September 24, 2013 - Urban Omnibus

Small Cities Show Bike Share Isn't Just for the Big Boys

While the successes, and travails, of bike share systems in cities like New York, Washington D.C., and Chicago get most of the attention, several smaller cities across the U.S. have managed to establish such systems without much fanfare.

September 24, 2013 - Momentum Magazine

Skagit "Miracle" Bridge Opens on I-5 in Washington

In this editorial, The News Tribune takes aim at the WA State Department of Transportation - in a complimentary way - at the speed and efficiency in which it handled the collapse of the Skagit River Bridge on May 23. The replacement opened Sept. 15.

September 22, 2013 - The News Tribune

Can Urban Forests Save the Planet?

Urban forests may possess the power to battle climate change. We just have to figure out what is more important: quantity or quality?

September 19, 2013 - Mark Hough

Mega-Projects Are Targets for Mega-Skepticism, But Are Concerns Warranted?

To substantiate their big budgets, big projects promise big results. But the inherent time, complexity, and deal-making required to complete such projects is fertile ground for incompetence and corruption; or isn't it? A new study investigates.

September 18, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Boston Mayoral Candidates Talk Livable Streets, But Can They Walk the Walk?

At a forum held this week, Boston mayoral candidates demonstrated their fluency in the language of transportation alternatives and livable communities. But ideas for meaningful policy changes were largely missing, says Boston Streets.

September 18, 2013 - Boston Streets

How Protected Bike Lanes Benefit Businesses

Can your city afford not to install protected bike lanes? Michael Andersen previews a coming report from the bike lane advocacy organization Green Lane Project and the Alliance for Biking and Walking that shows how such lanes help local businesses.

September 18, 2013 - Green Lane Project

What Does It Mean to Design a City for Women?

Vienna's two-decade-old quest to better balance access to city resources for men and women - called gender mainstreaming - has resulted in more than sixty pilot projects that are reshaping the Austrian capital.

September 17, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Feds Weigh In on L.A. River Restoration After Seven Years of Study

While the alternative outlined in a long-awaited U.S. Army Corps of Engineers feasibility study envisions a major reshaping of an 11-mile stretch of the L.A. River, the recommendation falls far short of what local leaders and activists had preferred.

September 16, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Walkable Streets Guide Gets Federal Endorsement

The Federal Highway Administration's recent support for the use of an ITE/CNU authored walkable urban thoroughfares guide as a companion to the widely used AASHTO "Green Book" gives local transportation engineers more tools to create livable streets.

September 16, 2013 - DC.Streetsblog

Can BRT Ease the Pain of Commuting from Sydney's Northern Suburbs?

Sydney's public transport system has long been criticised for its scant network, aging infrastructure and long journey times. Nicole Hasham reviews whether a new route through the city's northern beach-side suburbs will address these issues.

September 15, 2013 - Sydney Morning Herald

It's Time to Revolutionize America's Water Infrastructure

America’s water infrastructure is behind the times. With over 240,000 water main breaks annually, and only 3.8% of wastewater being reused, the country’s water systems scored a D from the American Society of Civil Engineers on its 2013 report card.

September 15, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

8 Ways to Sustainably Manage Stormwater

From permeable paving to green roofs, a number of cost-effective and sustainable strategies have emerged for managing water closer to where it falls, rather than directing it into pipes. SPUR explains 8 promising tools for managing stormwater.

September 14, 2013 - SPUR Blog

Deal Clears Way for Construction of Minneapolis' "Grand Central"

After a year of closed-door negotiations, the Twins and Hennepin County have reached agreement on a plan to transform the rail hub being built adjacent to the team's new ballpark into an engine for revitalizing the surrounding neighborhood.

September 13, 2013 - Star Tribune

4 Steps to Building Bike Lanes in Your City

Want to encourage city leaders to hop on the biking bandwagon and expand cycling infrastructure where you live, but don't know where to start? Kristin Smith lays out four key steps for joining the "pedal-powered, green lane movement".

September 13, 2013 - Good

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.

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A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.