Infrastructure

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

Highway Expansion Moves Forward in Austin Despite Local Opposition

The Texas Department of Transportation plans to build an elevated freeway segment as part of its plan to widen Interstate 35 through central Texas.

November 17, 2022 - KUT

"No Boats" sign on dry Lake Mead bed

Colorado River Compact Needs 21st Century Update

While the historic agreement set a new precedent for water rights, its inherent flaws, growing demand, and the threat of climate change make much of it obsolete for today’s needs.

November 16, 2022 - High Country News

Empty subterranean train platform in Jersey City, New Jersey

Hudson Tunnel Project To Move Forward

After facing a series of setbacks, the plan to rehabilitate and expand train tunnels under the Hudson River is moving forward thanks to new federal support.

November 16, 2022 - Smart Cities Dive

Aerial view of New Orleans port with cranes and barges and skyline in background

Proposed Legislation Sounds Alarm on Mississippi River Drought

Without concerted restoration efforts, the river’s historically low levels could dramatically impact shipping activities and economic development throughout the region.

November 15, 2022 - American Rivers

Sidewalk curb cut painted with blue and white disability symbol

Why Accessible Sidewalks Fall by the Wayside

Despite the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act more than 30 years ago, most U.S. cities delay making accessibility improvements to sidewalks until activists bring them to court.

November 15, 2022 - Streetsblog USA

Closeup of blue I-94 and I-43 signs with arrows

Wisconsin To Expand Interstate 94 in Milwaukee

The state’s department of transportation is moving forward with a proposal that will expand the freeway to eight lanes, rejecting a ‘Fix at Six’ plan that would have kept the existing six lanes.

November 14, 2022 - Urban Milwaukee

Crosswalk

Putting Pedestrians First

Improving road safety starts with considering the safety of people outside cars early and often.

November 14, 2022 - The Seattle Times

Red and white Toronto streetcar

How a Broken Traffic Signal Improved Transit

A brief outage of traffic lights at one Toronto intersection inadvertently gave area streetcars more priority, speeding up service for transit users.

November 14, 2022 - blogTO

An adolescent boy catches some air on a mountain bike on a hill above the city of Boise. The city’s downtown is clearly visible in the background.

Bikelash in Boise

Parents don’t want bike lanes to interfere with the pick up and drop off zone near two churches and schools in Boise.

November 13, 2022 - Boise Dev

The High Cost of Free Parking

The United Nations Calls on U.S. Planners to Break Land Use, Transportation Status Quo

“We are on a highway to climate hell with our foot on the accelerator.”

November 13, 2022 - Greater Greater Washington

Cincinnati Multi-Modalism

Cincinnati Streetcar Sets Monthly Ridership Record

The Cincinnati Streetcar, now known as the Cincinnati Connector, has come so far.

November 13, 2022 - Cincinnati Enquirer

Two women waiting to cross street facing Milwaukee Public Market sign

Milwaukee To Hire Vision Zero Czar

The mayor’s office has created a new position responsible for leading the charge on the city’s efforts to eliminate roadway deaths.

November 11, 2022 - Urban Milwaukee

Transit Planning

Sooner Rather Than Later: Support Builds for Eastside-Only Light Rail in Seattle

The Eastside Link light rail route, now known as Line 2, is delayed. A Sound Transit board officials is suggesting that some of the route can open soon, while the rest of the route is prepped to open later.

November 10, 2022 - The Seattle Times

Google Street View of 8th Avenue in Brooklyn with crosswalk in foreground, cars, and brick three-story buildings

DOT Scraps Safety Plan for Two Brooklyn Avenues

An ambitious proposal to build protected bike lanes and install traffic calming measures on two dangerous Brooklyn avenues has been nixed by the agency, which plans to develop a new proposal in the coming months.

November 10, 2022 - StreetsBlog NYC

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

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.