According to this blog post, federal transportation policies are misdirected, inconsistent, and destructive. A comprehensive overhaul of federal transportation policy is necessary.
Stephen Lee Davis writes a blog post for Transportation for America that blasts a call to action for a new approach to federal transportation policy.
Davis describes the past two decades of federal transportation policy as a "ship with a jammed rudder heading off aimlessly into forever," before listing six policies embedded in current federal transportation policies "that are not a product of an intentional conversation about what we should accomplish, but rather the result of having zero direction and purpose…"
After listing those six policies, many of which will be familiar to planners in communities of all shapes and sizes, Davis calls for an overhaul of federal transportation policies on a scale not seen since the 1950s. "Today, the challenge is making sure people have access to jobs, services and amenities within easy distance of their homes," writes Davis. "To accomplish this, we will need to remove barriers, build bridges (real and metaphorical) and provide safe, affordable convenient alternatives to get around."
FULL STORY: National transportation policy is a rudderless ship sailing off into oblivion
Five Years Later, 'Smart Cities Challenge' Promise Unfulfilled
The "Smart Cities Challenge" paid Columbus, Ohio $50 million to kick start a revolution of urban technology. The revolution never arrived, according to a recent assessment by Wired writer Aarian Marshall.
Kentucky Gets 25% of the Transportation Secretary's Time
When it comes to grants, one state has the attention of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao above all others.
Trump Administration Kills Obama Era Local Hiring Program
The U.S. Department of Transportation quietly killed an Obama Administration program that would have been the only federal level local hiring initiative.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall
A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.
Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.
In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle
Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont