Transportation planners in Spain have proposed building a tunnel for a high speed train system which would run directly underneath a cathedral designed in the late 1800s by Antoni Gaudí. Experts say the tunnel could cause the cathedral to crumble.
"A group of architects believes that the excavation of the tunnel, about 40 meters below ground, could cause the water-logged earth to subside under the weight of the vast building, whose facade will include four towers weighing 22,500 metric tons. The subsidence could cause cracks in the rippling exterior or the willowy 65-meter pillars that support the nave."
"The tunnel will carry a high-speed train that will halve the five-hour journey between Barcelona and Madrid. Magdalena Álvarez, the development minister, said in a television interview Monday that she would be 'very surprised' if the project - which could begin as early as next spring - was halted."
FULL STORY: Fears for Barcelona cathedral when trains start to run
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
NYC Pedestrian-Focused Traffic Signals Reduce Injury Crashes by 33%
Intersections equipped with signals that give pedestrians a seven-second head start saw a marked increase in safety.
Washington’s New Rent Cap Set Just Below 10% for 2026
Washington’s statewide cap on annual residential rent increases will be just shy of 10 percent next year, down slightly from its current level.
Nature Starts Here: The Essential Role of Nature Centers and Outdoor Programs
Nature centers and outdoor programs serve as vital gateways to environmental education, equity, and stewardship — bringing people closer to nature and inspiring the next generation to care for the planet.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Portland
City of Laramie