Infrastructure

Bunker Hill, Charlestown

Tracking Boston’s Emissions Reduction Progress

The Boston Foundation published the “Inaugural Boston Climate Progress Report” earlier this month. Other U.S. cities should follow their lead.

November 10, 2022 - The Boston Foundation

"Vote Here" sidewalk sign with American flag

2022 Midterm Election Results for Land Use, Transportation, and the Climate

The most closely watched midterm election since the last midterm election offered voters an opportunity to decide on matters of consequence related to land use, housing, transportation, and the environment.

November 9, 2022 - James Brasuell

A Link light rail transit train navigates a corner with an empty field and parked cars in the background.

Airport-Adjacent Seattle Suburb Aims for a Transit-Oriented Overhaul

The challenges and opportunities of transforming from a car-centric to a transit-oriented, affordable built environment are on display in a Seattle suburb.

November 9, 2022 - The Urbanist

Hyperloop test tunnel on street with orange and white concrete barriers

SpaceX Removes Hyperloop Test Tube

After blocking sidewalk access for years, a tube segment in front of SpaceX’s Hawthorne office was removed at the city’s request, signaling a broader retreat from the project.

November 8, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

U.S. Capital

No Bragging Rights for Passing the Infrastructure Act?

You'd think the passage of the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure act would convey bragging rights for Democratic congress members facing competitive midterm elections today. Ironically, Republicans who opposed the bill are taking credit.

November 8, 2022 - Politico

Rendering of Joe Lewis Greenway at crossing withh street with green striped crosswalk

Detroit Opens Segment of Joe Lewis Greenway

The newly opened segment, which features playground equipment and public lawns, is part of a 27.5 mile greenway that will loop through four cities.

November 8, 2022 - WDET

Crowd of activists protesting conditions at Rikers Island with one woman in front speaking into microphone

Envisioning a Sustainable Future for Rikers Island

With the prison complex slated to close by 2027, the city has an opportunity to transform the island into a renewable energy and research hub.

November 8, 2022 - Time Out NY

Passengers line up to board a bus at a bus rapid transit station in Indianapolis.

IndyGo Revisits the Bus System Redesign it Paused for the Pandemic

The IndyGo board of directors scrapped a bus system redesign planned for launch in June 2020 as part of its Covid-19 emergency response. The transit agency is now seeking public feedback on a new map with similar changes.

November 7, 2022 - Indystar

Vision Zero

Traffic Safety Declining in U.S., Bucking Global Trend

While other countries are seeing fewer road deaths, traffic violence in the United States is back on the rise.

November 7, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

Claiborne Ave expressway passing over Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans

‘Reconnecting Communities’ Could Fund Highway Expansions

Applications to the program reveal a pattern of state agencies requesting funds for projects that perpetuate car-centric development with only nominal equity components.

November 6, 2022 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of yellow steel column on subway platform with sign: "34 Penn Station"

Groups File Suit Over Penn Station Redevelopment

A coalition of community groups claims that current plans are designed to benefit developers and don’t guarantee improvements for transit riders.

November 3, 2022 - NorthJersey.com

View of reservoir with small island with trees in Texas

Texas Water Officials Deaf on Climate Change

The state’s long-term water plan fails to account for the impacts of climate change on water supplies, setting Texas up for a severe water shortage in the coming decades.

November 3, 2022 - The Texas Tribune

View of 15mph speed limit sign with Monument Valley mesas in the background

The Fight to Improve Tribal Transportation

Advocates for tribal communities argue that the bipartisan infrastructure bill does not direct enough money to tribal transportation needs, but USDOT and local leaders can ensure more equitable distribution of funds to projects on tribal lands.

November 3, 2022 - NRDC

Green painted bike lane with delineators in Hoboken, New Jersey

Jersey City Removes Curb Parking in Favor of Bike Lanes

The city council voted to ban street parking on two streets to pave the way for expanded bike lanes.

November 3, 2022 - Hudson Reporter

Sandwich sign with "Flooded" and "CIty of Los Angeles Dept of Rec and Parks" sits in ground near orange traffic cone

The True Scale of Flood Hazard Facing Los Angeles

New research sheds light on how L.A.’s aging and poorly maintained infrastructure is putting hundreds of thousands more residents in flood hazard zones than previously estimated.

November 2, 2022 - The New York Times

Close-up of black electric car charging at station

Arizona Issues Plan for Statewide Electric Charging Network

The state secured over $70 million in federal funding to design and build out an electric vehicle charging network in a state with often vast distances between destinations.

November 2, 2022 - KTAR

Construction "Road Closed" signs for Los Angeles Metro Purple Line

Database Analyzes Global Transit Project Costs

Researchers are cataloging the costs of transit projects around the world in an attempt to identify ways to bring costs down and spend transit funding more efficiently.

November 2, 2022 - Governing

Market Street

San Francisco Returns $15 Million Federal Grant for Market Street Improvements

San Francisco was awarded a federal grant in 2018 that it was forced to return in 2022 because it couldn't start construction by 2025.

November 1, 2022 - San Francisco Chronicle

Washington, D.C.

D.C. Revamps its Vision Zero Plan to Eliminate Traffic Fatalities

Washington, D.C. was an early adopter of Vision Zero in the United States, but eventually it became emblematic of the country's lack of progress in reducing traffic collisions.

November 1, 2022 - DCist

Embarcadero

Port of San Francisco, Army Corps of Engineers Planning for Rising Bay Waters

A massive climate adaptation planning effort is underway for the docks (and seawalls and landfill) of the San Francisco Bay.

October 31, 2022 - San Francisco Chronicle

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.