Creating transit, and planning around it, will be the key to success for metro areas, according to a new report from New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
"Ridership is now surging nationwide (even with $1.50 gas). And for cities aiming to be "green" and globally competitive, New York's transit-centered approach poses a powerful model."
"MTA's commission was headed by Jonathan Rose, an illustrious developer of environmentally friendly and transit-accessible housing. Rose insists that transit is the necessary centerpiece of planning the future as the New York region adds an expected 4 million new residents and 3 million new jobs by 2030. If New York or any other region hopes for a sustainable future, he insists, development needs to be channeled carefully, consistently, into transit-oriented clusters rather than sprawl.'
"But the secret's not just having more transit lines–though the commission recommends the MTA do just that. It's about shifting zoning and other policies to make sure the lion's share of new residential and business development is located in transit-accessible city and neighborhood cores. And then insisting the "last mile" of transit accessibility be covered by flexible feeder buses as well as pedestrian and bike improvements."
"Cars and trucks won't go away under this new approach. But the region will have a more efficient, 'robust, resilient, multimodal, fine-grained system,' argues Rose."
FULL STORY: Transit: Long-Scorned, Key to Metros’ Future?

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.

Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)