When going around the Thanksgiving table today, giving thanks for our friends and family to hear, don't forget to mention the environmental, social, and economic benefits of public transit.
An article by Lev Kushner makes the case for public transit by discussing some of the personal and social experiences of New York City transit while reminding readers to give thanks for the many social benefits of a ride on a bus, subways, and commuter trains. The threat perceived by Kushner comes from ride-hailing companies and other transportation disruptions.
While Kushner's appeal to the personal and social is appreciated here, we at Planetizen would also like to include a mention of the economic and environmental benefits of transit too. It's not just about the good times in the present, but also the good times in the future.
Charlotte Mobility Plan Centers Improved Multimodal Options and Economic Mobility
The city’s newly approved Strategic Mobility Plan highlights the need for better options when it comes to walking, biking, and public transit, setting a goal to reduce driving to half of total trips.
How Equitable Infrastructure Investments Benefit Everyone
A call for the country to focus its infrastructure investments to the most vulnerable and neglected populations—and watch the benefits compound.
Rural Texas transit program is a 'lifeline' for seniors
A Central Texas program offers free transit to residents over 60.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
US buildings threatened, destroyed by fires set to triple by 2060
Researchers found a high fire risk for socioeconomically vulnerable neighborhoods in the American West.
LA residents may be allowed to paint their own crosswalks
Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky put out a motion instructing the Los Angeles Department of Public Transportation to study the feasibility of allowing volunteers to paint crosswalks.
Dallas moves to overhaul its zoning code
The city's zoning reform will allow more multi-family and mixed-use developments.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority