Infrastructure

A conceptual rendering of a cable-stayed bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the Sheboygan River in Sheboygan, Wisconsin

How Locals Are Planning to Spend $2.2 Billion in RAISE Transportation Grants, Part Two

Part two of a series of post providing specific information for 164 of the 166 projects recently awarded funding by the U.S. Department of Transportation's RAISE grant funding program.

August 29, 2022 - James Brasuell

Cars driving on the American Legion Bridge in Maryland

Maryland Toll Lane Plan Gains Federal Approval

In a victory for Governor Larry Hogan, who has championed the project, the Federal Highway Administration is allowing the Beltway expansion project to move ahead.

August 29, 2022 - The Washington Post

Orange Line Bus

Funding for Two Transit Projects Approved for the Valley in Los Angeles

Local funding for a new light rail line and upgrades to the G Line (née Orange Line) bus rapid transit route have been approved for the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles.

August 28, 2022 - Los Angeles Daily News

Chicago Commuter Rail

Alternative Railroad Electrification

Rather than building costly overhead electrification infrastructure to convert a Chicago-area commuter rail line from polluting diesel power to emission-free electricity, the Metra Board of Directors chose a far less expensive and quicker route.

August 28, 2022 - Metra

A conceptual rendering of a red bus lane in Atlanta.

BRT Stations Cut, Project Delayed in Atlanta

Inflation is taking a bite out of planned transportation projects in Georgia. The state's first ever bus rapid transit project provides the latest example of scaled back ambitions.

August 28, 2022 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Wind turbines on farm in Paulding County, Ohio

Ohio Counties Can Now Ban Renewable Energy Projects

A new state law allows counties to deny wind and solar projects in their jurisdictions, and at least ten counties have already moved to implement bans.

August 26, 2022 - Cleveland Scene

OVerturned vehicle with fire truck and firefighters assisting

The Unequal Impacts of Traffic Crashes

Rates of traffic deaths vary widely among racial and economic groups but continue to rise across the board.

August 25, 2022 - The New York Times

A large reservoir and its dam are shown in golden foothills.

Bay Area Development Encounters the Limits of the Water Supply

A development battle pitting Contra Costa County against the East Bay Municipal Utility District illustrates the challenges of developing new housing supply in a time of drought.

August 25, 2022 - The Mercury News

New York transportation carbon footprint map

CoolClimate Policy Tools

The CoolClimate Network's Interactive Policy Tools calculate and compare the GHG reductions provided by various emission reduction policies. These tools can help households, businesses and communities identify the best emission reduction strategies.

August 25, 2022 - CoolClimate Network Smart Tools for a Cooler Planet

Children playing in a Los Angeles schoolyard

Los Angeles Parents Demand Greener Schoolyards

With asphalt temperatures reaching as much as 150 degrees, parents and advocates are asking the city’s school district to provide more shade, trees, and other heat mitigation features on its schoolyards and playgrounds.

August 24, 2022 - CBS Los Angeles

Red Metrorail train in downtown Houston, Texas

Houston Inches Toward Reduced Car Dependency

The city is investing more in biking, walking, and public transit, but a lack of funding and counterproductive moves from the Texas Department of Transportation are slowing the process of shifting away from personal automobile dependency.

August 24, 2022 - Houston Public Media

A pair of electric cars plugged into charge at facilities in the corner of a shopping center parking lot.

Electric Driving Is the Future; Now Is the Time to Price It

EVs are great, but they’re not perfect. Let’s end their free ride.

August 24, 2022 - Adam Millard-Ball and Michael Manville

Children playing in a splash pad

World’s First Municipal ‘Heat Officers’ Combat Extreme Heat

As extreme heat threatens infrastructure and public health, municipal ‘heat officers’ work to develop cooling strategies to keep urban residents safe from increasingly hot temperatures.

August 23, 2022 - Next City

The trees, benches, and other landscape elements of a park are submerged in brown flood waters.

Fort Worth Spending More on Flood Control; Still Well Short of What’s Needed

Fort Worth could spend $136 million on stormwater infrastructure and flood control over the next five years. In all, the city needs more like $1 billion of investment.

August 23, 2022 - Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Town sign for Mojave, California

Inland Port Planned for Mojave Desert

California’s Kern County approved plans to build a 410-acre logistics hub to expand capacity for cargo coming from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

August 22, 2022 - Globe St.

U.S> Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg delivers a speech in front of a bridge in Washington, D.C. The podium where he stands has a sign that reads: "Building a Better America."

How Locals Are Planning to Spend $2.2 Billion in RAISE Transportation Grants

The U.S. Department of Transportation earlier this month announced $2.2 billion in RAISE grants. The Biden administration has promised that the RAISE grant program will improve equity and sustainability in the nation's transportation systems.

August 22, 2022 - James Brasuell

View of buildings in Bangkok business district through extremely orange sunlight

What Is the Urban Heat Island Effect?

Man-made surfaces and urban density contribute to higher temperatures, intensifying heat waves and posing a growing danger to public health.

August 21, 2022 - Diana Ionescu

Colorado River

Department of the Interior Forced to Intervene on the Colorado River

More questions than answers on the Colorado River this week as the federal government failed to deliver on threats to force Southwest states to cut back on water use.

August 19, 2022 - High Country News

Two cyclists on a paved bike trail through short grass with Dallas buildings in background

Dallas Names 66-Mile Bike and Walking Trail

When complete, the newly named DFW Discovery Trail will incorporate 50 miles of existing trails into a regional ‘super highway.’

August 19, 2022 - The Dallas Morning News

Pedestrians crossing a busy crosswalk on New York City street with tall buildings in background

Vision Zero Still a Pipe Dream as Road Deaths Continue to Climb

U.S. traffic fatalities hit a twenty-year peak in the first quarter of 2022.

August 19, 2022 - Route Fifty

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.