Infrastructure

Diagram of proposed at-grade alternartive B for Interstate 94 project

More Options Presented for Minneapolis I-94 Project

Two new proposals for replacing the freeway with at-grade segments offer new visions for the future of downtown Minneapolis.

August 11, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of Caltrans logo on white passenger train

The ‘Three Pillars’ of Carbon Reduction, According to Caltrans

The California Department of Transportation released its draft carbon reduction strategy last month to apply for Carbon Reduction Program funds included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Road pricing plays a prominent role.

August 9, 2023 - CalTrans

Michigan State Park

Michigan’s Draft Five-Year Transportation Plan Includes $10.9 Billion for Highway Projects

Michigan legislators are also considering $3.7 billion for the state’s Public Transportation Program over the next five years.

August 8, 2023 - WXYZ

Map of proposed Baltimore Red Line transit line alignment with white boxes showing open questions

Maryland to Restart Planning for East-West Transit Line Through Baltimore

A plan for the Red Line, an east-west light rail line notoriously canceled by former-Governor Larry Hogan in 2015, is back on the table in Baltimore.

August 8, 2023 - The Daily Record

Bird-s eye view of circular retention tanks at water treatment plant

Aging Kentucky Water Systems Lack Funding and Resources

The state needs close to $8 billion over the next two decades to maintain and modernize its rural water infrastructure.

August 7, 2023 - Louisville Public Media

Austi city skyline with freeway in foreground

Letter Reveals Changes to I-35 Expansion Plan in Austin

In addition to new HOV lanes and a proposed boardwalk, TxDOT agreed to engineer the freeway for caps in some areas, but the city would have to fund their construction.

August 7, 2023 - KUT

Purple GRTC bus stopped at a bus station with bench and shelter in Richmond, Virginia.

Only One Quarter of Richmond Bus Stops Have Benches, Shade

A recent report highlights the lack of safe infrastructure at the Virginia capital’s bus stops.

August 7, 2023 - Virginia Public Media

Workers pouring concrete in wooden mold for new sidewalk

Completing Sidewalk Networks: Benefits and Costs

Many communities have incomplete or inadequate sidewalk networks that fail to accommodate all users. A new study indicates that completing sidewalk networks is one of the most basic and cost effective transportation improvements.

August 6, 2023 - Todd Litman

The Las Vegas Strip, pictured at night with lights and illuminated and Las Vegas Boulevard congested with cars.

Infrastructure Bill’s Emission Reductions Allotments Fund Highway Projects Instead

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 promised to achieve major progress on emissions reductions and climate resilience. A total of 38 states used the bill to fund emissions- and pollution-producing car-centric infrastructure instead.

August 6, 2023 - The Washington Post

View of downtown Seattle across a body of water with colorful houses in the foreground

Report Links Zoning and Land Use to Structural Racism

The historically comprehensive study outlines the policies that have shaped homeownership, generational wealth, and economic development in the Puget Sound region.

August 4, 2023 - The Urbanist

A diagram showing the street lanes for a proposed bus rapid transit route.

Fairfax County Makes Space for Bus Rapid Transit

A recent decision by the Fairfax, Virginia County Board of Supervisors will ensure that any widening of Route 7 will be reserved for bus rapid transit (BRT).

August 3, 2023 - FFX Now

An airplane flies over the Cabrillo Freeway (State Route 163) as it passes through Balboa Park and into the downtown area of San Diego, California.

San Diego Park Funds to Finance Freeway Exit Ramp

City staff say the damaged ramp’s location in Balboa Park makes it eligible for funding from a regional park improvement pool.

August 2, 2023 - KPBS

View of Interstate 5 with light traffic and downtown Seattle skyline in background

Seattle Quietly Unveils New Interstate Lane

The Washington Department of Transportation expanded part of I-5 in hopes of reducing a common traffic bottleneck.

August 2, 2023 - The Seattle Times

A large group of press and media surround New York City mayoral candidate Eric Adams.

U.S. Mayors List Infrastructure as 2023’s Top Concern

The National League of Cities (NLC) has published an analysis of mayoral speeches from various U.S. cities, along with Census data and resident sentiments, in the latest edition of the annual “State of the Cities” report.

August 2, 2023 - National League Of Cities

A map of the Réseau Express Métropolitain where it cuts across the Montreal region.

New REM Light Rail Launches in Montreal

The first day of public service on the Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM) light rail route was marred by a closure and delays.

August 1, 2023 - Montreal Gazette

A map of the planned route of GoTriangle commuter rail.

FTA Rejects North Carolina Commuter Rail Funding

As commuter patterns shift, so too do the transit funding preferences of the federal government.

July 31, 2023 - The News & Observer

Lisbon Tourism

Lessons for Software UX From Ancient City Planners

Cities have been designed for user experience (UX) for millennia, and contemporary UX designers have plenty to learn from planners, according to a recent article in Fast Company.

July 30, 2023 - Fast Company

Side-by-side photos of hand holding thermometer above pavement; left photo shows 119 degrees, right photo shows 110 degrees, illustrating the effect of a cool pavement treatment.

‘Cool Community’ Project Yields Promising Results

A ten-block area in one of L.A.’s most heat-prone neighborhoods saw significant reductions in surface and air temperature thanks to an innovative street treatment that could help communities around the country mitigate the impacts of extreme heat.

July 30, 2023 - Diana Ionescu

Google Street view of small one-story wooden house in Sandridge, South Carolina

New Highways Are Still Tearing Communities Apart

Residents of a historic Black South Carolina town are being displaced by a road widening project.

July 28, 2023 - The Guardian

renewable Energy

Offshore Wind Power Projects Face Financial Headwind

As offshore wind projects along the East Coast stall, so do the country’s emissions reduction goals.

July 27, 2023 - Politico

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.