Infrastructure
Water Sensitive Urban Design Slakes Thirst for Sustainability
The world's increasing water crises demand a new approach to managing the urban water cycle. Water sensitive urban design seeks to integrate water into urban environments, rather than isolating it, to create more livable cities.
Atlanta Sets its Sights on Biking Boost
With a burgeoning bike culture that saw the fastest rise in bike commuting in America from 2000-2009, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed has recognized the potential in this grassroots growth by announcing the goal of being a top-ten cycling city by 2016.
Copenhagen Zeroes In on Carbon-Neutral Goal
Justin Gerdes discusses the variety of tactics the city of Copenhagen is utilizing in its march to become the world's first carbon-neutral capital by 2025.
80-Acre Site in Queens to Test Prototypes for Storm Resiliency
While a massive redevelopment project waits to proceed, an 80-acre oceanfront site in the Far Rockaway neighborhood of New York City will host a competition to advance concepts for resilient waterfront development, reports Matt Chaban.
Maryland Suburb Fights Sidewalks
The DC metropolitan area has a largely suburban character inherited from an era when cars were the only conceivable form of transportation. Efforts to expand sidewalk infrastructure are meeting resistance, especially in University Hill.
Gas Tax or VMT Fee? Experts Debate How to Fund Transportation
In this special "Energy: Squaring Off" section, experts take opposing sides on six energy issues - the first being how best to pay for transportation. Carl Davis of the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy vs. Robert Poole of Reason Foundation.
Skywalk Plan Threatens Cleveland's Budding Street Life
A downtown Cleveland casino is pushing to build a skywalk to connect to its parking garage located across the street. Recognizing the anti-urban implications of the plan, an unlikely activist has organized opposition to the project.
Miami Tops When it Comes to Roadway Efficiency
Miami probably isn't the first city you think of when it comes to the efficiency of its road infrastructure. New York, yes. San Francisco or Boston, maybe. But Miami? Chris Dickersin-Prokopp explains the surprising results culled from census data.
Transportation Budget: "Where's The Beef, Mr. President?"
Kathryn W. Wolfe takes President Obama to task on his fiscal 2014, $77 billion transportation budget - not in where the money goes but where it comes from. How often can the 'peace dividend' be justifiably used as a funding source?
6 Risks of Public-Private Partnerships
Public agencies need money to finance their projects. Private investors see opportunities for a decent return. Sounds like a perfect marriage, no? Not so fast, says Laura Barrett, who outlines 6 reasons to be wary of public-private partnerships.
Chicago's Infrastructure Trust: A Guide for Funding Projects, or Building Bad Deals?
Tim Logan dives deep on Mayor Rahm Emanuel's bold plan to help fund Chicago's infrastructure improvements with private capital. American cities need new ways to pay for projects, but can a city with a history of making bad deals provide the road map?
L.A. Looks Ugly; But Is That So Wrong?
The quality of L.A.'s public structures falls far below its remarkable private residences. Greg Goldin argues why we should see the beauty in its greatest creations: its infrastructure and evolving collection of noisy storefronts.
California Governor Travels Far and Wide in Search of Bullet Train Investors
Although it was initiated long before his current term in office, Governor Jerry Brown has hitched his legacy to moving along California's high-speed rail project. He recently ventured to China in search of funding.
Women Cyclists Key to Saudi Arabia's Biking Future
An impending lift of the ban on women cyclists could generate investment in much-needed biking infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.
Transportation and Community Revitalization a Focus of Obama's 2014 Budget
In President Obama's newly released 2014 budget proposal, planners will find much to applaud. But what are the chances those nuggets will survive the contentious negotiations to come?
Paolo Soleri, Visionary Who Merged Architecture with Environmentalism, Dies at 93
Soleri, the founder of the experiential community of Arcosanti, who in many ways presaged the modern sustainability movement, passed away on Tuesday at Cosanti, his home in Paradise Valley, Arizona.
What Infrastructure Crisis?
Evan Soltas pens a contrarian take on the state of America's infrastructure, equating those who repeatedly warn of crumbling roads and bridges to a bunch of "Chicken Littles."
Study: NY State Could Be Powered Entirely by Renewables by 2030
Experts say the switch to renewables has more to do with political will and market forces than available technologies.
Can L.A. Turn its Storm Water Headache into a Drinking Water Solution?
In its enduring quest to slake its immense thirst, and protect its beautiful beaches, Los Angeles leaders are putting forth an ambitious proposal to solve two problems with one solution: make runoff drinkable.
The Next Step in Downtown Pittsburgh's Resurgence: Build More Parking?
With an approaching mayoral transition, Mark Belko looks at what Pittsburgh's next leader will need to focus on to keep downtown's rejuvenation rolling. Should building more parking be at the top of the list?
Pagination
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello