This editorial argues that cities should build transit the way they used to build cathedrals: with a long-term mindset from the start.
"The short attention span of today's society presents a remarkable contrast to that longer view. A focus on quarterly results in business, rapid technological changes, busy family life, and democracy's next election all conspire against a multi-generational point of view. We need to be conscious of this tendency toward short-term thinking when making important decisions about how to build a city and its various components."
"Ottawa's new light-rail plan deserves careful scrutiny, not only because of the magnitude of the financial resources required, but also because of the need to ensure our investment stands the test of time. Some call this 'cathedral thinking.'"
Read the full story: Michel Bellemare . Building transit
For Better Public Transit, We Need Better Stories
Public transportation provides many often-overlooked benefits. We can do better at communicating the value of transit investments. We have good stories to tell.
Why Saving Transit Matters
Jarrett Walker argues that letting transit systems die has impacts that go far beyond transit riders.
‘It’s Been 50 years’: Public Transit Law Passes in Montana
Legislation would fix transportation district issue, allow for greater reach on city bus routes.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Move over, LA: St. Louis gears up for Olympics, invests millions in downtown redevelopment
The Missouri city will host the 2028 Olympic soccer group stage and knockout matches.
Mass. votes against statewide minimum lot size for single-family homes
Over 2 million residents voted on Question 7; it was decided by just over 30,000 votes.
Maryland’s $15 billion bridge project gains key approval
The Maryland Transit Authority said the project will create over 60,000 jobs and add $23 billion to the local economy.
‘No clear next steps’ for Chicago's permanent festival grounds
Eleventh Ward Ald. Nicole Lee has suggested Soldier Field as a possible location for the permanent event space.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority