Infrastructure

Map of proposed alignment of new Hudson Tunnel between New Jersey and New York City

Gateway Tunnel Awarded Largest-Ever Federal Transit Grant

The $6.8 billion federal grant will fund the construction of a new tunnel at a key crossing under the Hudson River to supplement and replace tunnels damaged in Hurricane Sandy.

July 9, 2023 - The New York Times

View of Westpark/Lower Uptown transit center in Houston with bus exiting three-story garage vuilding and purple sunset sky in background

Making Space for Buses

In Houston, transit officials are working to balance plans for a new bus rapid transit line with existing street trees and traffic lanes.

July 6, 2023 - Houston Chronicle

Construction workers, bulldozer, and unfinished bridge or highway sillhouetted against orange sunset sky

How Does an Economic Downturn Impact City Infrastructure?

From budget cuts to delayed maintenance projects, cities adapt, prioritize, and innovate amidst financial challenges to ensure sustainable and resilient urban environments.

July 6, 2023 - Devin Partida

A Brightline train leaving the Fort Lauderdale Station.

Brightline Completes Higher-Speed Rail Construction in Florida

Florida will soon be home to 170 miles of higher-speed, intercity rail service.

July 5, 2023 - WESH

Aerial view of road construction with yellow heavy equipment parked next to two-lane asphalt road against green forest and blue sky

Survey: Americans Don’t Support Road Expansions

U.S. transportation policy, which still heavily centers automobile infrastructure, is increasingly out of step with the majority opinion, according to a new survey from Transportation for America.

July 4, 2023 - Transportation for America

People walking on crowded New York City sidewalk

A Fair Share for Walking

Most people value walkability, yet most communities underinvest in pedestrian facilities. Some jurisdictions are investing more in sidewalks and crosswalks in order to better serve community values.

July 3, 2023 - Todd Litman

People on bike share bikes on bridge with Minneapolis, Minnesota skyline in background

Report: Minneapolis, Davis Among ‘Best Places to Bike’

An annual report from PeopleForBikes assesses the quality and safety of bike infrastructure in close to 1,500 U.S. cities.

July 3, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

A system map of Skyline Mail, which circumvents the city of Honolulu.

Skyline Rail, Now Serving Honolulu

In a historic day for public transit, Skyline Rail, a project once deemed the worst transit project in the United States due to extreme cost overruns and construction delays, finally opened to the public at the end of June.

July 2, 2023 - The Honolulu Star Advertiser

Sunset or sunrise view of coastal wetlands in Louisiana

Louisiana Approves Coastal Restoration Master Plan

The latest update to a state-mandated coastal protection and restoration plan calls for wetlands restoration and new levees to protect communities from flooding.

June 30, 2023 - Governing

View of blurry speeding cars on freeway at sunset

National Mileage Fee Pilot Program Late to Launch

EV sales are increasing–good news for the environment but bad news for road funding, as they pay no fuel taxes. Fortunately, the bipartisan infrastructure law has $125 million earmarked to "demonstrate a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee."

June 29, 2023 - The Associated Press

Drawing of Piscataway Bioenergy Facility

Using Captured Methane to Power Buses

A new bioenergy facility in Maryland will convert captured methane to Renewable Natural Gas.

June 29, 2023 - The MoCo Show

Close-up of spool of broadband internet wire sitting on the ground

Federal Program Funds Broadband in Underserved Areas

The program supports efforts to improve internet connectivity in remote and rural areas.

June 27, 2023 - The Mercury News

View of downtown Los Angeles from a roof in the Fashion District

How L.A. County Equitably Administers American Rescue Plan Resources

L.A. County recently received a 2023 achievement award from the National Association of Counties (NACo).

June 27, 2023 - National Association of Counties

Aerial view of Sioux Falls, South Dakota at sunset

Sioux Falls Multi-Family Development Outpaces Transportation Improvements

Sioux Falls, South Dakota is undergoing a multi-family development boom. Residents are increasingly concerned about the traffic the development brings, according to local news reports.

June 25, 2023 - KELO

Sign about water purification process mounted on water treatment plant in Santa Clara, California

A Model for Wastewater Recycling in San Francisco

Decentralized wastewater recycling systems take water conservation a step further by reducing the need for external infrastructure and keeping water recycling and reuse -in-house.’

June 23, 2023 - Wired

Close-up of the feet of pedestrians in a crosswalk

2022 Deadliest Year for Pedestrians in Four Decades

Pedestrian deaths reached a four-decade high last year, signaling the failure of Vision Zero policies in most U.S. cities.

June 23, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Young girls dipping their hands in an outdoor decorative water fountain

How Urban Design Fails Families

For parents of small children, amenities like public restrooms or shady parks can vastly improve—or deteriorate—the experience of navigating cities.

June 22, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

A map of the construction project to build two new rail transit routes through Downtown Los Angeles.

Newly Opened Regional Connector Redefines Light Rail Transit in Los Angeles

Three rail lines have become two rail lines in Los Angeles, providing one-seat rides from four corners of Los Angeles County.

June 21, 2023 - Mass Transit

Red "Unstable Cliffs - Stay Back" sign on tall Pacific coast cliff

Coastal Climate Resilience to Receive $2.6 Billion Federal Investment

The Biden Administration announced the second massive investment of federal funds for coastal resilience on June 6. The Inflation Reduction Act allocated $3.3 billion to NOAA. In March, the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act added $562 billion.

June 21, 2023 - The Hill

Signs for Interstate 270 and Interstate 495 on roadside in Maryland

Coalition Keeps up the Fight Against Maryland Highway Project

Environmentalists and community groups are asking a federal judge to rule in their favor to require Maryland’s department of transportation to conduct a thorough environmental review before expanding Interstate 270.

June 21, 2023 - Maryland Matters

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.