Infrastructure

Cottage Living Shows the Enduring Attraction of Simplicity

In a world of seemingly infinite variety and excess, simplicity engenders great affection. Hazel Borys offers this query on the subject of cottage living: How is it that less adds up to so much more?

July 30, 2013 - PlaceShakers

'Toxic Tour' Brings Visitors Face-to-Face With L.A.'s Landmarks of Pollution

A 'toxic tour' of Los Angeles raises awareness of the harmful effects the city's industrial infrastructure brings to adjacent, often minority, communities. Stops include a battery recycling plant, rendering plant, oil refinery, and scrap yards.

July 29, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

New House Members Get Transportation Insolvency 101 Lesson

With the impending bankruptcy of the Highway Trust Fund in October, 2014, a House Transportation & Infrastructure subcommittee invited two transportation experts - one from CBO the other from DOT, to lay out the stark facts - but did it do any good?

July 28, 2013 - Truckinginfo.com

54 Ideas for Fixing D.C.

In advance of next year's mayoral race, the Washington City Paper has reached out to local leaders for their suggestions for how to fix one of the city's intractable problems. See their 28 detailed, and 26 simple, solutions.

July 27, 2013 - Washington City Paper

Infrastructure Investment Pushed by Obama at Jacksonville Port

President Obama used a tour of Jaxport to promote infrastructure investment, e.g. accommodating larger ships and intermodal cargo transfer to trains to stimulate the economy and increase employment, and maybe convert some Republicans to the cause.

July 27, 2013 - The New York Times - Politics

What Would an Elderly-Friendly City Look Like?

London-based Transport for All bemoans the inaccessibility of our urban environs for older residents. In this article, they ask designer Neil Chambers how he would design a city to 'facilitate an active and flexible lifestyle for the elderly.'

July 25, 2013 - Bettery Magazine

Del Mar Station TOD

Why the New Urbanist Visionary Who Coined 'TOD' Wants to Retire It

In a wide-ranging interview with Metropolis Magazine, CNU founding member Peter Calthorpe opines on China's planning process, the future of America's suburbs, CA high-speed rail, and why he would retire the term 'transit oriented development'.

July 24, 2013 - Metropolis POV Blog

Los Angeles River Kayak

'Moment of Truth' Could Change Course of the L.A. River

This summer marks a key moment in the effort to transform the Los Angeles River from eyesore to amenity. A newly announced greenway plan and much-delayed U.S. Army Corps of Engineers feasibility study could fundamentally change the river's course.

July 24, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

America's Best Urban Bike Paths

Mark Lebetkin highlights 19 of the best bike paths to be found in America's cities. From San Deigo to Boston, the paths were chosen for their beauty, accessibility, and functionality.

July 24, 2013 - The Active Times

Mass. Gas Tax Hike Bill Vetoed: Not Big Enough!

In an unusual move for governors loath to increase gas taxes, Mass. Governor Deval Patrick vetoed a bill not because it would raise and index gas taxes by three cents, but because the increase may not be big enough if Rt. 90 tolls are eliminated.

July 23, 2013 - Boston Examiner

How Will Bike-Centric Urbanism Reshape Our Cities?

For the past half-century, the automobile has played a profound role in shaping the form of our cities and suburbs. A new book examines the effects cycle-centric planning will have on the built environment.

July 22, 2013 - The Guardian

Increased Oil Supply = Increased Oil Prices?

So much for the economic laws of supply and demand or "drilling our way" to cheap gas prices. It's not that simple when it comes to oil. Dan Strumpf explains what's behind the latest surge in oil prices. Oil markets and infrastructure play key roles.

July 22, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

What Does the Closure of So Cal's Nuclear Power Plant Mean for the State's Energy Future?

The Planning Report asks Long Beach Mayor, CAISO Chair, and former Southern California Edison president Bob Foster what impact the closure of the San Onofre nuclear power plant will have on energy supply in the Southland.

July 19, 2013 - The Planning Report

Vancouver Gets Its Wheels

Vancouver has apparently overcome the obstacle that's prevented the city from hopping on the 'urban trend of the century'. When the city's bike-share system begins operation this fall it will feature 'the continent’s first helmet-dispensing system'.

July 19, 2013 - The Globe and Mail

While TGV Flies, French Rail Safety Slides

The derailment of an intercity train south of Paris last week is drawing attention to France's two-tiered rail system. While high-speed trains are celebrated and expanded, local lines suffer from underinvestment and neglect.

July 18, 2013 - The Guardian

North American Infrastructure Can't Keep Up With Oil and Gas Boom

Overtaxed pipelines, train accidents, and natural gas 'flaring' are just some of the symptoms of the strain North America's oil and gas boom is placing on the continent's infrastructure. Can needed upgrades be reconciled with environmental goals?

July 18, 2013 - The Washington Post

Cities Take the Lead to Revive Scuttled Columbia River Bridge Project

Efforts by local leaders to revive a $3.4 billion plan to replace the bridge linking Portland, Oregon to Vancouver, Washington is just the latest example of a trend in metropolitan innovation in the face of federal and state gridlock.

July 17, 2013 - The New York Times

LA County Transit Agency Tests Public-Private Partnerships

Doug Failing, Executive Director of LA Metro's Highway Programs, proudly shares the agency's $700 million strategy for testing the value of public-private partnerships to finance and accelerate planned transportation upgrades.

July 17, 2013 - The Planning Report

How Should Industry be Integrated Into the Urban Fabric?

Are we on the brink of a third industrial revolution? Guest 'PlaceShaker' Scott Bernstein thinks maybe, and looks to past successes for key patterns and ideas for injecting walkability into areas with industrial or 'special' uses.

July 17, 2013 - PlaceShakers

Meet the Man Who Will Shape Maryland's Transportation Patterns for Decades to Come

With $4.4 billion in additional revenue expected to be generated from a new gasoline tax over the next six years, Maryland's new transportation secretary will have a historic role in shaping the state's transportation and land use patterns.

July 17, 2013 - The Washington Post

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.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA

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