Improving the systems and politics of transportation funding could ensure more local money, more efficient land use planning and mobility choices, and more.
The Metropolitan Area Planning Council, the regional planning agency for metropolitan Boston, recently released a report that recommends 14 steps for developing a sustainable and resilient transportation financing system.
According to an article by Elise Harmon promoting the report, the 14 recommendations are proposed as a menu of options: "multiple solutions will likely be needed to address our local, regional, and statewide transportation goals."
"The released goals include recommendations to provide local funding options to cities and towns, encourage smart growth and mode shift, and raise broad-based revenue for transportation improvements."
Among the 14 total, four recommendations focus on providing funding to local needs, four recommendations focus on encouraging mode shift and smart growth, and six general recommendations are designed to increase revenues.
FULL STORY: MAPC Releases Transportation Finance Recommendations
New Transit Oriented Zoning Criteria Proposed for Massachusetts
More details on the state of Massachusetts' game changing "Housing Choice" program are now available.
Local Leaders Press Massachusetts for New Sources of Transportation Funding
Three separate coalitions of local mayors, each from different corners of Eastern Massachusetts, want to the commonwealth to prioritize transportation funding. Some even called for a 15-cent increase to the gas tax.
How, and Where, Land Use Regulations Block Multi-Family Housing in the Boston Region
New analysis explores every city and suburb in the Boston region to reveal the tools of multi-family housing obstruction—sometimes it takes more than zoning to block apartments from getting built.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie