Infrastructure
Federal Bills To Provide Billions For Transportation Working Through Congress
The jobs and defense bills - both of which will provide much needed money for transportation projects while extending the current transportation authorization law (SAFETEA-LU) through Sept. 2010, are working there way to the President's desk.
The Infrastructural Divide
Infrastructure spending is becoming a dividing issue amongst political factions in America, according to this piece from Wired.
The Bizarre Planning of the Las Vegas Monorail
There's a monorail on the Las Vegas Strip. Well, kinda. It's actually behind the casinos and hotels that line the famous strip. This piece from Metropolis explains how it got there and why it's not so good.
The Absurdity of Stationary Bikes
Cong. Earl Blumenauer, speaking at an event with David Byrne and Janette Sadik-Khan, points out the absurdity of people driving to gyms to hop on stationary bikes. Lack of bicycle infrastructure is to blame, he says.
So Cal's Infrastructure A Mess, Says New Report
A new report from The Road Information Program, a D.C.-area nonprofit, documents the growing number of highway, bridge and transit systems in need of repair in Southern California and lacking the necessary funding.
Vast Changes Along the Mekong River
Dam and development projects are in the works along the Mekong River, which runs through six Asian countries. Some say the river and the economies that rely on it are being threatened.
Brazil's New Dam Opens Shipping Doors But Hurts Green Image
A new $7.7 billion dam is being built in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil, a piece of infrastructure expected to ease the shipment of goods between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. But its environmental impact may hurt Brazil's green credibility.
From Brothel to Floodplain
A floodplain on the Truckee River -- the original site of a famous Nevada brothel -- is being restored to its natural state.
Life is a Two-Way Street
Vancouver, Washington's Main St. had languished for years, until city officials turned the street back to two-way traffic. Everyone was surprised at how much difference it made.
Rivers Reworked in South Korea
South Korean officials have begun work on a $19.2 billion effort to remake the country's four largest rivers. The project would slightly reshape the rivers and add towns and bike trails to their waterfronts.
U.S. Megaprojects Are Not in the U.S.
Some say the age of mega infrastructure projects is over in the U.S., but this piece from Foreign Policy argues the U.S. megaproject lives on -- just not inside the U.S.
Banning the Cul-de-Sac and Building Bike Highways
From bicycle highways to a ban on the cul-de-sac, the built environment is the focus of many of The New York Times Magazine's ideas of the year.
Cell Towers May Rise in Austin Parks
Parks officials in Austin, Texas are considering a plan that would allow cell phone companies to lease space within the city's parks where they could build cellular communication towers.
People Mover to Link BART and Airport
Oakland International Airport will link directly with a nearby BART station through a driver-less people mover, according to a decision made recently by BART directors.
Steamy Streets
The steam rising from New York City streets in the winter offers a lesson about urban infrastructure, according to this explainer form Urban Omnibus.
Rendell On the National Infrastructure Bank
The Infrastructurist talks with Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell -- "a friend of infrastructure" -- about the proposed National Infrastructure Bank.
States Look to Claim Part of $69 Billion in Infrastructure Funds
The Obama Administration is set to announce a new jobs bill and state officials are clamoring to get their hands on some of the $69 billion the federal government is dedicating to the next batch of stimulus-related infrastructure projects.
Danish Government Pushes Electric Cars With Envious Perks
But will they be enough to entice Danes to buy them? It may hinge on the availability of charging points and battery switching stations promised by "Better Place" of Palo Alto, CA and the Danish utility, Dong Energy.
A Stoplight With A Countdown
Designer Damjan Stanković has proposed a stoplight with a "progress bar," the same sort of countdown that many walk signals have today. Zach Patton wonders if this is a good idea.
Pagination
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Laramie
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency