A 200-mile high-speed rail line is spurring development in the rural counties along the island's west coast.
When Taiwan's new rail service opens in 2005, up to 330,000 passengers per day will be able to commute the length of the island between the population centers of Taipei and Kaohsiung. Already, the Taiwanese government is planning for billions of dollars in infrastructure improvements around the five proposed stations on the previously-rural west coast, betting easy access to the train will foster development. One proposal designed by the government places a European walkable city around the 100mph train tracks. Like the expansion of the train to America's West, the optimism of design and the pragmatism of profit will inevitably collide.
Thanks to Jeffrey Goodman
FULL STORY: High-speed rail to give birth to new towns

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

San Diego Votes to Rein in “Towering” ADUs
City council voted to limit the number of units in accessory buildings to six — after confronting backyard developments of up to 100 units behind a single family home.

Texas Legislature’s Surprising Pro-Housing Swing
Smaller homes on smaller lots, office to apartment conversions, and 40% less say for NIMBYs, vote state lawmakers.

Even Edmonton Wants Single Staircase Buildings
Canada's second most affordable major city joins those angling to nix the requirement for two staircases in multi-family buildings.
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)