Infrastructure

Four natural gas storage tanks with European Union flag logos

Rationing Energy

American motorists may complain about the 'pain at the pump,' but there is no shortage of gasoline, unlike the availability of natural gas in Europe.

August 7, 2022 - E&E News

Construction on a tunnel is visible next to the Seattle waterfront.

A Permanent Decline in Revenue Forecasted for the Tunnel Bertha Built in Seattle

Public transit isn't the only mode struggling to attract the expected number of users in 2022. State Route 99 in Downtown Seattle is also failing to live up to expectations and struggling to make ends meet.

August 4, 2022 - The Urbanist

Offshore wind turbines in water against a sunset sky

Offshore Wind Gaining Support in More States

States traditionally resistant to renewable energy are passing legislation to ease the way for offshore wind production as lawmakers realize the potential economic benefits to their states.

August 4, 2022 - Governing

Sandbags in a flood with flooded buildings in background

Infrastructure Must Catch Up With Climate Change

The worsening effects of extreme weather events are accelerating the deterioration of critical infrastructure, leaving communities more vulnerable.

August 4, 2022 - Axios

Louisiana Flooding

$7.3 Billion Federal Resilience Funding Program Announced

The Biden administration announced guidance for $7.3 billion in funding under the PROTECT Formula Program at the end of July.

August 4, 2022 - Federal Highway Administration

6th Street Viaduct against the Los Angeles skyline at dusk

Reckless Driving and Illegal Activity Shut Down L.A.’s Newest Bridge

Could the chaos that has plagued the 6th Street Viaduct’s first few weeks signal an opportunity to reimagine its intended uses?

August 3, 2022 - Jalopnik

A bike counter next to a green protected bike lane in San Francisco, California

Why Counting Bikes Matters

While many American cities rely on vehicle counts to make transportation planning decisions, most haven’t prioritized counting bikes, leading to underinvestment in bike infrastructure.

August 3, 2022 - Greater Greater Washington

Paint roller coating basketball court with blue cooling coating

This Street Treatment Fights Extreme Heat

Applied to streets, parking lots, and other asphalt surfaces, a reflective epoxy coating can lower temperatures by as much as 10 degrees and cool neighborhoods vulnerable to extreme heat.

August 2, 2022 - Bloomberg

Street-level view of sharrow symbol on asphalt with parked car in background

How Sharrows Became Cycling’s Most Hated Symbol

Originally designed as a low-cost way to encourage safer road sharing between bikes and cars, the sharrow has become a symbol of the lack of commitment to protected bike infrastructure in many cities.

August 2, 2022 - Denverite

Amazon warehouse in Spokane, Washington

Amazon Plans for More Massive Warehouses

The company is building its biggest-ever distribution centers in New York, Colorado, and California.

August 2, 2022 - FreightWaves

Interstate 95 near Fredericksburg, Virginia with blue sign that says "To Welcome Center for Virginia"

Virginia Using Variable Speed Limits To Reduce Congestion

Experts say reducing speed limits based on traffic volumes can relieve congestion and improve the flow of traffic.

August 2, 2022 - The Virginia Mercury

Rendering of tiered park with trees and benches at Battery Place

In Battery Park City, Public Infrastructure Meets Climate Resilience

A massive project underway in Lower Manhattan seeks to protect the shoreline from future flooding and mitigate the effects of climate change and rising sea levels.

August 1, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

Aerial view of I-10 junction over swamp near New Orleans, Louisiana

Louisiana Road Safety Plan Highlights Impaired Driving, Reckless Behavior

The plan focuses traffic safety efforts on distracted and impaired driving, seatbelt wearing, and speeding, with a small nod to infrastructural factors.

July 31, 2022 - Plaquemine Post South

Portland

Portland Releases 43-Step Climate Action Plan

A draft plan outlines suggested actions to build resilience, minimize carbon emissions, and protect vulnerable residents from extreme weather events.

July 29, 2022 - Smart Cities Dive

Color-coded map showing wildfire risk in Oregon

Oregon Issues Wildfire Risk Map

After homeowners received letters assessing their property’s fire risk, questions remain about the next steps in building fire resilience.

July 28, 2022 - KTVL

Pedestrian Safety

4 Proven Steps for Improved Pedestrian Safety

Experts from the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) present four steps for reducing the number of pedestrians killed by drivers.

July 28, 2022 - Smart Growth America

New York City Subway

Transit Faces a Fiscal Cliff in New York City—Sooner Than Expected

It's like March 2020 all over again.

July 27, 2022 - The City

Fire burns in a forest during Camp Fire in Paradise, California

How To Protect an Entire Town From Wildfire

In the wake of the destructive Camp Fire, a proposal to encircle the town of Paradise with a green belt could help keep future fires at bay and better protect vulnerable residents.

July 26, 2022 - High Country News

Road with one green electric vehicle charging lane

The Marriage of Technology and Road Infrastructure

The future of road infrastructure likely includes wireless electric charging, innovative construction materials, and more data collection. Will cities remember to prioritize pedestrian safety, too?

July 26, 2022 - Governing

A rider on a Citibike on a bike lane in New York City

New York Could Use Cameras To Keep Drivers Out of Bike Lanes

A proposed state bill would permit New York City’s transportation department to install up to 50 cameras that would monitor bike lane violations, with drivers that block bike lanes facing a $50 fine.

July 26, 2022 - CityLab

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.