Infrastructure

Roundabout

The ‘Quiet Roundabout Revolution’ Sweeping U.S. Cities

Roundabouts, which can dramatically improve traffic safety, have been slowly proliferating across U.S. cities over the last two decades.

December 5, 2022 - The Washington Post

Machine spraying white crosswalk lines on street

How Tactical Urbanism Succeeds Where Bureaucracy Fails

Making the case for do-it-yourself infrastructure.

December 5, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

Blurry view of semi-crowded subway car

Best Cities for Transit, Ranked

Unsurprisingly, cities in Asia and Europe top the list.

December 5, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

Amtrak Sunset Limited train viewed from the side passing low desert hills in West Texas

$4.3 Billion for Amtrak Expected to Modernize Stations and Trains

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 has provided funding for Amtrak to make some sorely needed improvements throughout the system.

December 5, 2022 - Smart Cities Dive

New York MTA subway station

Deficit Plan for New York MTA Includes Fare Hikes, More Relief

A series of federal relief funding in 2020 and 2021 helped the New York MTA keep its head above water over the past three years, but the funding is running out and the books still have to be balanced for a post-pandemic world.

December 5, 2022 - The Center Square

Light Rail Project Proposed Route

$1.9 Billion in State Budget Surplus Requested for L.A. Transit Projects

L.A. transit officials hope the state budget surplus can be used to fund regional transit project, including one highly anticipated light rail project that broke ground on Friday, December 2.

December 4, 2022 - Los Angeles Daily News

Highway sign with "Stop the strak of TX traffic fatalities" against blue sky

Texas Road Safety Messaging Blames Pedestrians, Ignores Structural Flaws

Critics of the state’s ‘Be Safe. Drive Smart.’ campaign say the messaging puts the onus on pedestrians and cyclists while failing to address the lack of robust pedestrian and bike infrastructure in many of its cities.

December 4, 2022 - Next City

Rendering of Van Ness Avenue with Bus Rapid Transit

Some States Use More Highway Funding for Transit Than Others

A news study brings the receipts on state and regional transportation spending.

December 2, 2022 - TransitCenter

The land locked Salton Sea, seen from the air, is surrounded by mountains, desert, and farm land.

Controversial Agreement Yields Funding for Salton Sea Restoration

An unprecedented, but deeply controversial, agreement changes the equation for the Colorado River and the Salton Sea.

November 30, 2022 - Palm Springs Desert Sun

View of large black SUV from behind with blurred small child on bicycle wearing helmet riding in front of car

Why Are U.S. Roads So Deadly?

Despite an abundance of Vision Zero pledges, U.S. roads remain some of the most dangerous in the developed world.

November 30, 2022 - The New York Times

Old brick buildings line Central Avenue in Baltimore. The street is filled with construction equipment.

Protected Bike Lanes, Vehicle Lane Reductions Cause Stir in Baltimore

Residents and business operators say they weren’t warned about a road diet planned for a major thoroughfare in Baltimore. Planners and advocates say the changes have been a long time coming.

November 30, 2022 - The Baltimore Sun

The Boring Company

Detailing the Boring Company’s Poor Track Record

Elon Musk’s promised solution for congestion—the Boring Co.—has proven most successful at disappearing on the governments that trusted them.

November 29, 2022 - The Wall Street Journal

Aerial view of COlorado Springs, Colorado at dusk

Colorado Springs Updates Transportation Plan

The city made the first revisions to its transportation plan in twenty years, acknowledging the changing transportation needs of the region’s growing population.

November 29, 2022 - Colorado Public Radio

Amtrak Sunset Limited train viewed from the side passing low desert hills in West Texas

Passenger Rail Could Return to the Gulf Coast

Although the details of the deal remain murky, Amtrak and the freight companies that share tracks in the region have agreed to restore passenger train service east of New Orleans.

November 29, 2022 - Smart Cities Dive

Pedestrian Infrastructure

Vision Zero Successes Show a Path Forward

While traffic deaths in the United States keep rising, progress in cities like Hoboken and New York prove that, with the right resources, eliminating traffic deaths is possible.

November 28, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

Construction Industry

One Year After the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

The potential of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is most unrealized as the federal government mobilizes the details of the $1.2 trillion bill. President Joe Biden signed the bill in November 2021.

November 28, 2022 - Route Fifty

UPS delivery truck parked by urban sidewalk

Mitigating the Impacts of Delivery Services

How cities can minimize the impact of delivery vehicles on air quality and congestion through effective curb management and zero-emission delivery zones.

November 28, 2022 - The City Fix

Washington Bridge over Harlem River, New York

New York Announces New Bike Lanes and Public Space Improvements

As part of its commitment to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, the city identified several major projects for 2023 that include protected bike lanes and public plazas.

November 28, 2022 - Smart Cities Dive

View of Houston buildings over White Oak Bayou

Proposed Park Yet Another Hurdle for Houston Interstate Expansion

The Interstate 45 widening project, halted by a federal order and opposed by many local officials and organizations, could hit a new snag if White Oak Bayou becomes a city park.

November 25, 2022 - Axios

People sitting at outdoor dining tables next to bike lane protected by delineators and three-story buildings in Dublin, Ireland

Where Car-Free Streets Won Out

While some open streets experiments have met with backlash from community members, others were so successful they led to permanent changes.

November 22, 2022 - Next City

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.