Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority used to slap motorists with heavy fines for ridesharing. Faced with exploding population growth and 8 million tourists a year, officials have changed their tune.
"In Dubai yesterday, a senior RTA official announced that people working at the same organisation and wishing to share lifts would be able to register for a carpooling licence online within one month. After applicants have entered their personal details and information about the vehicles, the authority will conduct background checks on colleagues intending to carpool before issuing a letter of approval, which could be presented to inspectors as proof of authorisation. Registration will be compulsory."
"The city's population is expected to grow threefold to more than three million by 2030, while tourist numbers may quadruple to eight million a year. As the number of visitors increases, improvements to the transport system are seen as critical to efforts to make Abu Dhabi sustainable, tackle congestion and end widespread reliance on taxis and private cars."
Read the full story: Carpools win approval in war on congestion
Saudi Arabia Plans New Mega City on the Red Sea
The announcement by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to create the mega-city of NEOM would offer a Dubai-like 'free-zone' city.
Hyperloop Readies For BIG Debut in the UAE
A test of a "fully-operational" Hyperloop transportation system is scheduled to take place next week in the United Arab Emirates.
Masdar Highlights Policy Shift Away From Autopia
Robert Wright describes the policy shift already underway in planning for cities of the future. He reports that "as energy becomes more expensive, cities will have to be much more compact, easier to navigate by bike and on foot."
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
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.
MTA gives itself 30 days to transform pit into basketball court
The site has been under construction since 2022; the city originally estimated it would finish the court in 2024.
Non-stop party: Chicago voters weigh permanent festival grounds
A stable place for bleachers, stages and drainage may streamline the setup and teardown of large events.
Metra may invest $9.1 billion in regional rail
The agency released a draft of a study examining potential ways to offer more frequent train service.
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
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority