Columnist Neal Peirce throws his weight behind the Obama Infrastructure Bank proposal.
"While the world races down the infrastructure expansion track, we're constantly shortchanging decaying bridges, aging interstates, antiquated water systems, or high speed rail serious enough to one day rival Europe, Japan or China.
A serious infrastructure bank could start weaning us away from congressional pork-barrel spending and our 'silo' pattern ideas of funding infrastructure - roads and transit, airports, waterways and railways, in separate 'buckets.'"
Peirce highlights that the infrastructure bank proposal would be able to span borders, both city and state, which would enable the sort of vast regional infrastructure projects that emerging megacities and megaregions require.
FULL STORY: Infrastructure Bank Proposal: Ignore At Our Peril
The Rise of the Megaregion
A new book outlines the benefits of public investment at the regional scale.
Pressing Pause on Development in the Shadow of Austin's Growth
The Dripping Springs City Council points to inadequate wastewater infrastructure and the need to update its comprehensive plan as reasons for the city's development moratorium.
Oakland Drafts First Revision of General Plan Since 1998
The public has until April 23 to comment on the sweeping plan that addresses land use, transportation, and infrastructure.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
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.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association