Infrastructure

New Medical Study To Highlight Lack Of Walking/Biking To School

A soon-to-be released medical study reveals fewer than half of children who live within a mile of their school walk or bike there, and the percentage is dropping. While safety is a factor, cultural values and number of cars in household play a role.

July 19, 2007 - AP via MSNBC

Politicians Propose Water Projects For Dry California

After a dry winter, politicians in California are proposing major water projects to help ensure that the state's residents and expansive farming community have enough water in the future. Measures will likely be included on the state's 2008 ballot.

July 19, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

Water Pipeline Sought For Distant Developments In Idaho

A proposal for a water pipeline to bring water to distant developments in Idaho highlights the history of water being diverted farther and farther from its source to feed growth.

July 17, 2007 - The Idaho Statesman

A U.S. Planner's Experience In Iraq

A planner and Army Reservist from Florida talks about his time spent working on planning issues in Iraq, and relates it to his experiences as a city planner in the U.S.

July 17, 2007 - The Ledger

Los Angeles Planners Envision Inland Port

As the gateway for much of the freight-container cargo destined for the U.S. becomes increasingly clogged, planners in Southern California have proposed building an inland port facility to handle regional goods movement and relieve congestion.

July 13, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

Southern California Planners Predict $100 Billion In Transportation Needs

With the population expected to surge to 60 million by 2050, most agree that the region needs major investment, though the sources of funding remain unclear.

July 11, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

Environmental Concerns Surround Panama Canal Expansion

As the Central American country moves forward with plans to expand the width of its heavily-used canal, locals and scientists question whether a reforestation plan along canal banks will affect the area's supply of drinking water.

July 10, 2007 - National Geographic

The Awful Folly of Sports Stadiums

In city after city, stadium-building with tax dollars is taking priority over more important priorities like public schools.

July 9, 2007 - CommonDreams.org

Bridging Rural America's Digital Divide

Rural communities lag behind their metropolitan counterparts in terms of access to services and information. Greater investments in telecommunications technology and infrastructure can help bridge these gaps.

July 6, 2007 - Center for American Progress

Fighting Crime With Infrastructure

The president of Brazil has pledged nearly $2 billion to improve basic services and infrastructure in the slums of Rio de Janeiro. He hopes that providing running water, schools, and better roads will counteract the high crime rate in the slums.

July 5, 2007 - BBC

Bridge Will Link Denmark And Germany

A long-discussed plan to link Denmark and Germany with an 11-mile bridge is finally moving forward, as both countries recently came to an agreement on what will be one of the largest European infrastructure projects in history.

July 2, 2007 - Der Spiegel

Climate Change Increasing Infrastructure Maintenance Cost In Alaska

A study calculates the growing cost of maintaining Alaska's infrastructure as a result of global warming.

June 30, 2007 - The New York Times

Fighting Congestion At Home And Abroad

In exchange for a discount on oil for London's bus system, city transit officials will lend their expertise to the city of Caracas, Venezuela, in an effort to reduce the city's crippling congestion.

June 26, 2007 - The Guardian

High Bottled Water Spending Prompts City Ban

Amid revelations that San Francisco City government had been spending almost half a million dollars a year on bottled water, the mayor has instituted a ban that would require all government water use to come straight from the tap.

June 25, 2007 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Flood Risks Persist In New Orleans

A recent report from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has revealed that despite billions of dollars in improvements, many areas of New Orleans still face a significant threat of flooding.

June 22, 2007 - The New York Times

New Orleans Woos South Florida's Construction Firms

With nearly $17 billion dollars available for reconstruction, New Orleans officials are calling upon south Florida's construction firms to help handle the demand.

June 22, 2007 - The Miami Herald

Flood Prospect Sparks Violent Opposition To Dam Project

Plans to build a dam on the Nile River have incited protests, outrage, and even violence as Sudanese villagers demonstrate their opposition to a project that would flood them out of their ancient homeland.

June 21, 2007 - National Geographic

The Longest Escalator System In The World

Hong Kong's unique system of escalators, moving walkways, and pedestrian bridges has transformed the neighborhoods it connects.

June 19, 2007 - Pruned

Growth Keeps Las Vegas Water Chief Busy

This report from NPR looks at the city of Las Vegas, the high value of water in the desert, and the water chief who is trying to control the growing city's consumption.

June 14, 2007 - NPR

Brazil's Controversial Amazon Dam Project

Critics warn $11 billion hydroelectric dam project could cause environmental damage while supporters point to economic and infrastructure benefits.

June 11, 2007 - The New York Times

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

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