The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
New York Subway Ridership Hits 65-Year High While Bus Ridership Declines
Subway ridership statistics for 2014 were cause for celebration at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), but the city's bus lines are not experiencing the same growth in popularity.
A Bikeshare First in Birmingham, Alabama: E-Bikes
Electric-assist bikes, sometimes called e-bikes, are about to be added to the bikeshare mix in a city that might surprise you: Birmingham, Alabama.
Tolling, Road User Charge Examined at Annual Transportation Conference
Transportation finance and road usage charging are the themes of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association's annual conference held in Portland from April 26 to 28 in downtown Portland. Oregon's road usage charge begins July 1.
Even Chicago Struggles with Transit Oriented Development
As Chicago's population slowly dwindles, Yonah Freemark argues that the city needs to take advantage of one of its greatest assets: its transit network. Housing for residents of all incomes near transit stops may be the key.
The Case for a Walkable Cleveland
In this long-form article, G.M. Donley reminds us why walkable and diverse communities have become such a planning staple. In Cleveland, New Urbanism contends with a history of sprawl and decreasing population.
Op-Ed: Minneapolis Pedestrian Bridge to Nowhere
Okay, technically it leads to the new Vikings stadium, but Nick Magrino doubts its benefits justify $6 million of public spending. A proportion of the Metropolitan Council is inclined to agree.
Wave of the Future? Tapping Wave Energy for Desalination
The future has arrived in Western Australia thanks to new technology created and implemented by Carnegie Wave Energy. The CETO project marries renewable power with desalination—a timely marriage when droughts and climate change take center stage.
How Urban Ugliness Increases Stress
The definition of blight may be in the eye of the beholder, but it may also be subconscious. Broken windows, abandoned buildings, and weed-filled yards may actually create stress and degrade health, according to a small study out of Philadelphia.
Making a Place for Cities in International Climate Change Negotiations
Secretary of State John Kerry recently began a two-year term as the chair of the Acrtic Council. He used the occasion to make a call for a stronger role for cities in international efforts to fight climate change.
Leadership Change at CicLAvia to Target Goal of More Frequent Events
Aaron Paley, the founder of CicLAvia in Los Angeles, announces a change in leadership and describes the future of the game-changing event—a good read for anyone interested in open-streets, cultural events, and urban quality of life.
Hoopla for Launch of Philadelphia's 'Indego' Bikeshare System
Philadelphia media was on hand to cover the launch of the Indego bikeshare system on April 23, 2015.
Will Expenses in Coastal Cities Lead to Northeast Ohio's Resurgence?
Joel Kotkin recently waded into the conversation about that it will take to return Legacy Cities into the prosperity of former years.
BLOG POST
Trends from the APA 2015 Conference
Every year we analyze all of the tweets from the APA Conference and tell you about the trends in planning. With 2,884 people tweeting from the APA Conference, there is a lot of great ideas, links, and pictures that we can all learn from.
Minneapolis Getting Bike Friendlier
The city of Minneapolis will add 30 miles of protected bike lanes to its city, especially around Downtown.
Income Tax Cut Fuels South Carolina Gas Tax Debate
The nation's third lowest gas tax will likely see a 10-cent gas tax hike—with or without Gov. Nikki Haley's signature, who insists on a larger income tax reduction than in the bill that overwhelmingly passed the House and is now in the Senate.
The Rise of the Fifth Borough
With real estate prices rising in the other boroughs, Staten Island is starting to look more like Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Extensive retail and residential developments are underway in what has always been New York City's suburban borough.
Public Space and Placemaking—Emphasis on the Public
The Salk is an exceptional world-class space, and it is accessible, but it is not a public space, writes urban designer Howard Blackson, III.
'Heart of the Community' Program Awards Placemaking Grants
Southwest Airlines and the project for Public Spaces continue their partnership on the Heart of the Community program, awarding placemaking grants to six cities around the country.
MoMA Exhibit Explores Latin American Architecture
A new exhibit at MoMA celebrates the "fitfully idealistic" architecture of Latin America, 1955 through 1980. Broad in scope, the exhibition ranges from Brasília's bold utopianism to the community-focused tactics of Bo Bardi.
U.S. DOT Will Allow and Encourage Local Hiring
The U.S. Department of Transportation has changed its rules in favor of local hiring: a pilot program will even encourage it. Minorities traditionally barred from high-paying construction work stand to benefit.
One Hundred Miles
County of Mendocino
planning NEXT
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Montrose County
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority
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.
