An agreement has been reached between 18 countries to move forward on a long-sought plan to connect railways between Singapore and Turkey, creating a vast network expected to boost the economies of currently remote areas.
"The Trans-Asian Railway Network, first conceived by the United Nations in 1960, came a step closer Friday with the signing of an agreement to implement what has been dubbed the 'Iron Silk Road'."
"The network, which comprises 81,000 kilometers (50,000 miles) of track through 28 countries, is already a reality in part and follows through on a similar U.N.-sponsored road program."
"Landlocked Armenia, which currently has only one operational outside rail connection to a seaport in Georgia, hopes greater access will reduce the cost of moving goods overland."
Read the full story: ARMENIA ACCEDES TO “IRON SILK ROAD” AGREEMENT
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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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.
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