The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
The Smart Grid and the Stimulus Package
The stimulus package is jump-starting smart grid projects, says Jay Birnbaum, Senior Vice President of CURRENT Group.
Florida Looks At High-Speed Rail Plan
Richard Florida compares the Obama administration's suggest HSR corridors to the mega-regions they will serve and likes what he sees.
Drive-By Art
Art 'on the scale of architecture' is cropping up in Los Angeles, enticing passing drivers out of their cars and onto the street. Chris Burden's 'Urban Light' installation at LACMA is a notable example.
U.S. Cities Fare Poorly in World Livability Ranking
In terms of global urban livability, American cities are not so hot. The highest ranking city, Honolulu, comes in at 29 in the results of the Worldwide Quality of Living Survey.
Will Removing Traffic Lights Help Congestion?
The Town Council of Ealing, U.K. is experimenting with covering up its traffic lights at certain intersections, which they believe will increase safety and awareness.
The Future of National Surface Transportation Policy
That was the title the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation chose for a hearing on April 28. Panelists: Ray LaHood, DOT Secretary; Steve Heminger, MTC; Jame Corless, T4America; Ann Canby, STPP, and Ned Holmes, TX Transp. Comm.
Cities Get 'F' For Air Quality
The American Lung Association has failed 2/3rds of California's counties in a recent study of levels of smog and soot.
VMT Fees: The Answer to Traffic Congestion?
Pricing road use by vehicle miles traveled (VMT) with higher fees for using congested roads could reduce travel time, claim researchers at Brookings.
The City After Cheap Gas
In Boston for a conference, Mary Newsom reflects on the lessons that Sun Belt cities can take from historic cities like Cambridge to prepare for the future.
BLOG POST
Bright Lights, Big City?
<p> I missed the APA national conference for the first time in 15 years -- but I quickly heard reports that one of the hot topics focused on banning electronic message boards. I dissent. </p> <p> What would Times Square be without the colorful, multi-message, oft-changing signs? Would Las Vegas have become the tourist definition that it has without the colorful signs? I am not a huge fan of Las Vegas, but I certainly think it has the right to define itself as it wishes. </p>
The Age of Smart Infrastructure
Infrastructure and technology are blending together, creating infrastructure and infrastructural management more responsive and intelligent.
FEATURE
Should Fuel Taxes Pay For Alternative Transportation?
Planetizen has teamed up with <a href="http://www.nationaljournal.com/">National Journal</a>, a weekly politics and policy magazine, to explore transportation issues. As part of National Journal's <a href="http://transportation.nationaljournal.com/">Transportation Experts blog</a>, we've asked Planetizen Interchange bloggers and National Journal's Transportation Experts whether money from the Highway Trust Fund should be used for non-highway projects like bike lanes and pedestrian walkways.
Anchorage Needs to Heed New Bike Plan
Anchorage, Alaska recently completed a citywide bicycle master plan. Despite the costs of the projects in the plan, this oped argues it's exactly the blueprint the city needs to put into action.
Hello, Welcome To Your Commute
A bill that passed the Oregon House last week directs TriMet to hire 'greeters' to work at light-rail stations.
Nature Guiding Green Building
Builders, architects and designers are increasingly looking to nature for guidance as they try to build greener and more sustainably.
New Plaza Conversion Projects Chosen For New York City
Nine new sites have been selected by New York City's Department of Transportation for conversion into public plazas.
FEATURE
Breaking Silos in the City
BLOG POST
Car Sharing Economies Of Scale
<p> Introducing car sharing (ZipCar, Hertz Connect, etc,) to a development can significantly reduce parking demand and, hence, construction costs. </p>
California Cities to Sue Over High Speed Rail Route
A group of cities in the San Francisco Bay Area are going to file a lawsuit next month over the chosen route for California's planned high speed rail route between the Bay Area and Southern California.
New Old Homes: Building Historically
Developers are increasingly creating communities of historically-styled homes that aim to mimic small towns. But many are finding it is hard work to avoid a theme park feel.
City of Clovis
City of Moorpark
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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.
