The North Carolina college town boasts free transit and dozens of miles of bike lanes and greenways.
Writing in Yahoo News, Mike Taylor highlights the city of Chapel Hill, North Carolina’s success at building a comprehensive multimodal transportation network. The city and its neighbor Carrboro are home to “one of the largest free transportation systems in the world,” as well as 25 miles of greenways and 15 miles of bike lanes. “Bicycles are a popular mode of transportation, and Chapel Hill Transit in 2022 gave 3.4 million rides despite the cities’ combined population of just 83,396.”
Chapel Hill’s success is particularly impressive in light of the fact that 90 percent or more of North Carolina’s transportation budget is directed to highway projects. “The legislature also prohibits the use of state funds for standalone bicycle and pedestrian projects and limits public transportation expenditures.”
FULL STORY: Town lauded for innovative new public transportation model where ‘everyone wins’: ‘A critical step’
The Impact of Sustainable Transportation Solutions on Urban Mobility
Discover how sustainable transportation solutions are transforming urban mobility, enhancing efficiency, and reducing environmental impact.
NACTO Releases Updated Urban Bikeway Guide
The third edition of the nationally recognized road design guide includes detailed design advice for roads that prioritize safety and accessibility for all users.
San Diego Supervisors Call for Expanded Free Transit for People Released From Jail
One county supervisor argued that mobility is key to helping people released from custody reenter society and access housing and services.
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.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
San Francisco Mayor Backtracks on Homelessness Goal
Mayor Dan Lurie ran on a promise to build 1,500 additional shelter beds in the city, complete with supportive services. Now, his office says they are “shifting strategy” to focus on prevention and mental health treatment.
How Trump's HUD Budget Proposal Would Harm Homelessness Response
Experts say the change to the HUD budget would make it more difficult to identify people who are homeless and connect them with services, and to prevent homelessness.
The Vast Potential of the Right-of-Way
One writer argues that the space between two building faces is the most important element of the built environment.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont