Infrastructure
How the 'Bikelash' Was Beaten Back
When Mayor Bloomberg and transportation commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan began expanding NYC's bicycle infrastructure, a vocal 'bikelash' threatened to undo their efforts. Jay Walljasper looks at the forces that conspired to beat back the bikelash.
Urbanism and the Landscape Architect
Even as the landscape becomes increasingly important to cities, landscape architects remain underrated as contributors to the urban realm. When is everyone else going to see what we already know?
Dutch Designer Makes Street Furnishings Fun
John Metcalfe spotlights the work of Dutch designer Thor ter Kulve, whose creative approach to designing street furniture blends utility and playfulness with the aim of liberating public space.
Cycling's Diversity Belies Infrastructure Divide
A new report documents the diversity of America's cycling community, countering the stereotype of the "spandex- or skinny jean-clad" white rider. However, minority communities suffer from a deficit of cycling infrastructure. Can this be changed?
Questions Mount About CA High-Speed Rail Builder Selection
As California rushes to begin building the first phase of its controversial high-speed rail project, the decision to select a builder based more on cost than technical competence is being scrutinized by state and federal lawmakers.
Chicago Gears Up for Bike Share
Not to be outdone by its big (and small) city brethren, the nation's third largest city is launching its long-awaited, and relatively secretive, bike-sharing program next month. And according to Paul Merrion, they're starting with a bang.

Is New York a Modern City-State?
Places Journal talks with New York Design Commissioner David Burney about the politics of urban design and planning.
Free NY/NJ Ferry Service For Bicyclists?
The epic, years-long battle for converting one Holland Tunnel tube to a bicycle/pedestrian-only facility may find compromise in this proposed free ticket voucher program for bicycle-toting ferry passengers.
Wash. Bridge Collapse Exposes Nation's Vulnerable Infrastructure
In a pair of articles, four Wall Street Journal writers delve deeper into the May 24 collapse of the I-5, Skagit Valley Bridge in Washington state and its relationship to our nation's aging transportation infrastructure.
After Several Delays, NYC Bike Share Begins
Memorial Day has been honored in America for 150 years, but you might excuse New Yorkers for celebrating an entirely different holiday yesterday - the long-waited launch of the country's largest bike-share program.
Urban Ruins and the High Line Next Door
Chuck Wolfe suggests we all have the inspiration within us to envision how to remake our cities--from the conjecture of a Seattle restauranteur about Seattle's monorail to neighborhood examples of "we used this before, let's use it again".
The Future of Vertical Urban Farming is Pink
Let's put aside those renderings of high-rise urban greenhouses with lush, vertical gardens. Vertical farming's future, instead, lies more practically in large, suburban "pinkhouses", says one expert.
Forgotten Freight Demands Frighten Transportation Planners
While much of the current discussion in planning centers on decreasing road capacity to promote greater pedestrian mobility, Eric Jaffe wonders if we are thinking enough about the critical and complex task of moving freight.
Dramatic Bridge Collapse Snarls Washington Traffic
Two cars plunged off the I-5 truss bridge, 60 miles north of Seattle, into the frigid Skagit River at the end of Thursday's commute, but no deaths nor serious injuries occurred. The likely cause appears to be a big-rig hitting the 58-year-old bridge.
CBO Analyzes Obama's 'Hallucinatory' Transportation Budget
According to the CBO, President Obama's transportation budget keeps the Highway Trust Fund, currently expected to run out of funds in 2015, solvent until 2021. The additional funds come from 'intergovernmental transfers' - but are they real?
Chicago Plans Largest School Closing in Nation's History
Seeking to trim budgets and 'distribute scarce resources more efficiently,' Mayor Rahm Emanuel's controversial plan to shrink Chicago's school system moved ahead yesterday with the Board of Ed's vote to shut 49 of the city's elementary schools.
Should Your City Ban Fluoride? Portland Just Did, Again
Although a growing list of communities (of which Portland is the largest) have banned the addition of fluoride to tap water, such places are doing so against the recommendations of the medical establishment. What's driving the backlash?
Is Congestion Pricing the Solution to San Francisco’s Traffic Woes?
A new report paints a grim picture of San Francisco’s traffic future. Without radical reductions in auto usage, the city’s downtown will be ‘mired in gridlock.’ Is a controversial congestion pricing scheme the solution?
Why Is it Hard to Find Places to Ride Out a Tornado in Oklahoma?
You might be surprised to learn that in the area famously known as 'Tornado Alley', underground shelters and safe rooms are relatively rare. Several reasons, from physical to financial to cultural constraints, conspire to leave residents vulnerable.
Envisioning a LEED-like Ratings System for Infrastructure
Bob Graves discusses the concept behind Envision, "a holistic framework for evaluating and rating the community, environmental, and economic benefits of all types and sizes of infrastructure projects."
Pagination
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
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Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont