Infrastructure
America's Depression, Infrastructure and Stubborn Way of Life
This essay from Places looks at today's economic depression, the nation's crumbling infrastructure, and various efforts to rethink they way America looks at fixing its cities.
New Urbanism in Abu Dhabi
While Dubai's fantastical Burj Khalifa is mostly empty and development has ground to a halt, Abu Dhabi continues to develop - and smartly, says Philip Langdon.
London Airport Seen as Ideal Hub for Proposed High Speed Rail
A conservative think tank in the UK is calling for London's Heathrow Airport to become a new high speed rail hub. However, the group warns that increased traffic would necessitate the construction of a third runway.
Local Leaders Seek Louder Voice in Planning of Bridge to Portland
After years of planning, a proposed new bridge between Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington is facing collapsing political support. Local leaders oppose some aspects of the plan.
The Worst Commutes in America
The Daily Beast has released a list of the 75 worst commutes in America. Top of the list: L.A.'s Hollywood Freeway.
The Role of Design and Architecture in Saving Haiti
This episode of DnA wonders whether design and architecture will be able to help Haiti revive itself.
Lawmakers Consider Using Trust Fund for Transportation Projects
Lawmakers in Alabama are considering a plan to withdraw $1 billion from a state investment fund to pay for road and transportation projects in the state. It's a move proponents say will create jobs, but opponents worry about diverting those funds.
Diversify Your Water Buys
By combining three water purchasing approaches -- permanent rights, options and leases -- cities can better manage water supplies to avoid high costs and supply reductions, according to a new study.
Obama's Infrastructure Grade: A-
A year ago, the Brookings Institution offered a series of suggestions to the Obama Administration for addressing infrastructure problems. Some advice was followed, other suggestions weren't. The Institution gives the Administration an A- for 2009.
A Car Street Undesired
While in Copenhagen for climate talks in December, U.S. officials got a taste of Danish-style bicycle planning. Some of them liked what they saw, but translating that infrastructure here in the States is no easy task.
How Should Port-au-Prince be Rebuilt?
With Haiti's capital city in ruins, and emergency response still underway, rebuilding efforts are a ways off. But the rebuilding following recent disasters may provide guidance, writes Mark MacKinnon.
Brazilians Reinterpret Their Living Spaces
In this paper, Gustavo Rivera Jr. (Ph. D. candidate in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Chicago) evaluates the economic and sociocultural impact of recently developed public housing estates within the favelas of Belo Horizonte.
America's Spanish High Speed Rail Envy
Spain has rapidly developed high speed rail system, leaving many U.S. politicians -- including President Obama -- wondering how the U.S. can catch up. This article and video from PBS looks at the Spanish model.
Why the Waffle House is Ugly
Steven Mouzon reflects on the huge investment a roadside reference like a Waffle House must make in infrastructure versus the relatively low expense for an inner-city restaurant.
The World's Most Bike-Friendly Cities
AskMen.com has released a list of the world's top ten bike-friendly cities. Portland, Oregon is the one U.S. city to make the list.
Poor Building Practices, Infrastructure Worsened Haiti Devastation
CNN reports that a lack of building codes and the construction of vulnerable informal settlements may have contributed to the high death toll in Haiti's earthquake.
The Challenge of Municipal Wi-Fi
This article from Government Technology looks at the idea of municipal Wi-Fi Internet access and why it has struggled to take off.
New Non-Salt Strategies for Snowy Cities
Winter brings snowy conditions to roads in many cities, and many react with snow-melting salt solutions. But the physical and environmental damage of salt is leading some to look for other means of fighting the freeze.
Stimulus-Funded Road Projects' Effect On Unemployment: None
NPR interviews the AP reporter who conducted an analysis of stimulus spending in one particular area - road construction. His finding was that in addition to having no effect on total unemployment, it didn't improve construction employment either.
Dongtan Eco-City: A Model of Sustainability?
Dongtan Eco City was planned for completion for the Shanghai World Expo in 2010. By that time, 5,000 people should be living there. However, the planned housing, water taxis, sewage‐recycling plant and energy park all failed to materialize.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
