Infrastructure
...And Not a Drop to Drink
Desalination plants are being seen as the solution to declines in global freshwater supplies. But as Scott Thill reports, the plants may be an environmental disaster in the making.
Vancouver's Transit Funding Spree
British Columbia's Premier Gordon Campbell has announced $14 billion worth of public transit investment.
Nation's Aging Infrastructure 'No Longer Acceptable'
In its new report released to Congress, the National Surface Transportation and Revenue Study Commission advocates hundreds of billions in annual infrastructure expenditures, and a significant hike in the gas tax.
Lessons From Below Sea Level
Global warming is exacerbating the threat of flooding in low-lying areas such as Holland and California's Sacramento Delta. Politicians in California are looking to Holland for examples of how to prevent flooding from happening.
Funding Bike Infrastructure: Point-Counterpoint
Part of a week-long series, Randal O'Toole and blogger Will Campbell debate federal funding for bike infrastructure and question whether a broad bike system should be built before or after the demand presents itself.
High Speed Rail Reconsidered in Canada
Canadian officials will revisit plans to create a high-speed rail system connecting Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.
BART Transit Village Idea Up In Air
Plans to develop a transit village around one of the San Francisco Bay Area's BART stations is gaining support, but some local officials are voicing concerns over the increased load on city infrastructure and services.
Tucson-Phoenix Should Think About High-Speed Rail
The Tucson-Phoenix region needs to start thinking about the long-term transit solution of high-speed rail, according to this op-ed.
'Free' Parking Costing Fort Worth Taxpayers Millions
Taxpayers in Forth Worth are paying millions per year to lease parking spaces to provide free parking downtown, enabled by a TIF that is supposed to build infrastructure in a blighted area. Many are calling it a misuse of taxpayer money.
Simple Solutions To California's Water Shortage
Years of low rainfall are causing many in California to think hard about diminishing supplies of water. In this commentary, author Peter Gleick argues that wise water use and management -- not big-scale infrastructure projects -- is the solution.
Historic Sites Disappearing As Three Gorges Reservoir Rises
The reservoir at China's Three Gorges Dam will fill to capacity this year, flooding more than 400 square miles of land, including some precious historic sites.
L.A.'s Subway Plans Should Look To Public-Private Partnerships
L.A.'s regional transit system needs a spine, and the "Subway to the Sea" from downtown to the westside could be that spine. But to make it happen, the city needs to think about a public-private partnership, according to this commentary.
Seattle Viaduct's Days Numbered Despite Lack of Replacement Plan
Washington Governor Chris Gregoire has vowed to dismantle Seattle's crumbling inner city freeway in 2012, putting extra pressure on transportation planners, local officials and the public to agree a replacement solution.
Big Dig: The Good, Bad, and Ugly
TollRoads News reviews the "terminally inept Bechtel/Parsons Brinckerhoff joint venture at the Massachusetts Turnpike's Big Dig project", and examines how the project is improving mobility -- estimated to be worth $168 million per year.
Water Woes Result In Rationing For Some Texas Communities
A string of droughts and a water-intensive invasive plant species have diminished water supplies in Northern Texas, requiring rationing for 11 cities in 2008.
Plans to Elevate Honolulu's Proposed Light Rail Meet Opposition
The American Institute of Architects has come out against plans to include elevated tracks as part of the layout of Honolulu's proposed light rail system.
China Abandons Yangtze Dam Plans
The dam would have forced the flooding of one of China's most visited tourist sites and displaced more than 100,000. Plans are still in the works for a hydropower dam on the river, but the exact location is uncertain.
Planned Communities Take Nosedive in Idaho
Proposals for planned communities have taken a sharp downturn in Idaho since last year. A deteriorating housing market and the lack of infrastructure are being cited for delays in development.
The End of The Big Dig
With the end of 2007 comes the official end of Boston's "Big Dig."
The Year's Best In Livable Streets
Streetsblog has announced the winners of its livable streets awards, commending such public works as bike lanes and low emissions policies.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
