Infrastructure

Close-up of crosswalk button for blind pedestrians labeled "button for audible signal only"

Chicago Found Liable for ADA Violations

A federal judge ruled that the city fails to provide “meaningful access” to many of its streets due to a lack of infrastructure for pedestrians with vision impairments at most of the city’s intersections.

April 10, 2023 - WGN

Aerial view of Edmonds, Washington with road in foreground and buidings surrounded by trees

Checking in on Washington State’s Complete Streets Law

A new requirement that mandates bike and pedestrian improvements on state road projects is starting to pay off with real commitments to Complete Streets infrastructure.

April 9, 2023 - The Urbanist

Rendering of California high-speed rail train viaduct with arches

CA High-Speed Rail’s Latest Challenge: Floodwater

The historic precipitation that fell on the state of California in past months poses a unique and unanticipated threat to the state’s big infrastructure project in the Central Valley.

April 7, 2023 - The Fresno Bee

Silver Houston Silver Line bus at a dedicated bus rapid transit station

Houston Metro Proposes Undergrounding BRT Line

To ease community concerns, the agency is proposing an underpass in lieu of a prior plan that would have elevated a new rapid transit line above a portion of its downtown route.

April 6, 2023 - Houston Chronicle

View of joggers on Brooklyn Bridge Park trail in foreground with Brooklyn-Queens Expressway traffic in background and brick buildings behind the highway

Expressway Expansion Could Threaten Brooklyn Bridge Park

Supporters of the waterfront park worry NYCDOT’s plan to potentially widen the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway could reduce green space in “one of the most expensive urban parks ever built.”

April 6, 2023 - StreetsBlog NYC

Rendering of station for California High-Speed Rail train

Starpower Hired to Design California High-Speed Rail Station

The planning, engineering, and design team will develop the first four Central Valley stations on the train line.

April 5, 2023 - Foster + Partners

Boise Idaho

Proposed Update to Boise Zoning Code Would Boost Density, Discourage Sprawl

A years-long process has culminated in a proposal that would encourage the creation of affordable housing, promote transit-oriented development, and position the city for less car-oriented growth.

April 5, 2023 - Idaho Statesman

Denver Rail

Denver-Area Rail Service Disruptions Expected During Maintenance Work

RTD is beginning maintenance on retaining walls along its southeastern light rail lines that is expected to last roughly six months.

April 4, 2023 - The Denver Post

Aerial view of Interstate 35 bridge over river into downtown Austin, Texas with skyline in background

Controversial Highway Widening Breaks Ground in Austin

Texas’ transportation priorities were on display in March—a few days after the gutting of a transit plan, a highway expansion broke ground depite years of local opposition.

April 3, 2023 - KUT

"Bike path closed" sign on orange and white construction barrier

Houston Cyclists Call for Safer, More Visible Trail Closure Signage

After a recent death on the White Oak Trail, Houston bike advocates say closure markers on the city’s bike trails are often inconsistent and hard to see, posing a danger for cyclists at night.

April 2, 2023 - Houston Chronicle

25 mph speed limit sign partially obscured by red and orange fall leaves

Study: Seattle’s Lower Speed Limits Reduced Crash Injuries

A change in the city’s speed limits has been shown to reduce the likelihood of injuries during collisions.

March 30, 2023 - Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Aerial view of traffic on road and buildings in the Bronx, New York City

MTA Proposes Pollution Mitigation Spending for the Bronx

Acknowledging the impact the city’s proposed congestion pricing program could have on underserved neighborhoods, the agency plans to spend over $130 million in revenue from the program on air filtration, trees, and other pollution reduction measures.

March 30, 2023 - The New York Times

Two people riding bikes with helmets on paved park trail

‘Arrested Mobility’: How Transportation-Related Laws Impact Black Americans

A far-reaching new study highlights the disproportionate effect of biking and walking laws on the mobility of Black Americans.

March 29, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Aerial view of desalination plant in Carlsbad, California

Federal Loan to Support San Diego Desalination Plant Overhaul

The financing will go toward funding an updated cooling system and ensuring the protection of local marine life.

March 28, 2023 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Buses in downtown Seattle on the dedicated 3rd Avenue bus lanes

Seattle Bus Lane Cameras Capture Over 100,000 Violations

An automated traffic enforcement pilot program caught drivers illegally using transit lanes more than 110,000 times in less than a year.

March 28, 2023 - Axios

People walking on the Camino de Santiago trail in Spain

The Joy of Walking

An essay meditating on the simple pleasures of a good walk.

March 28, 2023 - The New York Times

St. Louis Metrolink

St. Louis Train Expansion Planning Receives Federal Funding

The Bi-State Development Agency received roughly $7.4 million for efforts to expand the city’s MetroLink train system.

March 28, 2023 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

A sign indicates closures on the New York Subway as the result of heavy rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Ida.

FTA Announces Disaster Relief Funding for Transit

A $212 million program is aimed at helping transit agencies and cities affected by flooding, hurricanes, fires, and other disasters maintain transit operations and boost the resilience of their systems.

March 27, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

High Point, Seattle

Green Infrastructure Toolkit Launches on World Water Day

The Green Infrastructure Toolkit lists 25 actions local governments can take to transform crusty, impermeable urban landscapes into vibrant, spongy ecosystems that preserve water as a resource and protect against its potential destruction in floods.

March 23, 2023 - PlaceShakers and NewsMakers

Electric bus in Austin, Texas

Austin’s Project Connect Transit Plan Drastically Reduced

The details of drastic reductions to the proposed building program for Austin’s Project Connect long-range transit plan are now open for public comment.

March 23, 2023 - KUT

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.