Like many other towns, Hooper, Nebraska (pop. 827) started to die when a bypass was built around it. To bring folks back to the town's core, residents and business people of Hooper came together to remind the world of Hooper's existence.
The age of the bypass persists in places like Nebraska. When the bypass of U.S. 275 around Hooper was completed, the town's small businesses heard crickets even more loudly than before.
From the New York Times: "We kind of lost our identity now that the highway didn't go through town," said David Hingst, 58, the general manager of Hoegemeyer Hybrids, a local seed company. "We needed our identity brought back."
The nascent Hooper Area Community Foundation mobilized to remind the world that Hooper exists by raising funds to erect a very conspicuous Hooper sign out on the highway.
Thanks to Evan Lowenstein
FULL STORY: With a Sign, a Small Town Reclaims its Identity
Public Transit Alternatives to Rideshare Offer Affordable and Accessible Mobility
In Minnesota, local transit agencies are seeing growth in ridership for on-demand microtransit services since the start of the pandemic.
Opinion: Transportation Funding Priorities Are Outdated
Investing in technology and promoting innovation in the transportation sector can further the Biden administration's goals of reducing carbon emissions and improving public transit.
Are Pedestrians Moving to Danger?
Over the past decade, pedestrian and auto collisions have become more lethal for pedestrians. Could this be caused by carless households moving to pedestrian-hostile places?
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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)