Transportation is increasingly seen as a major concern as London prepares to host the 2012 Summer Olympics. As crowds fill the city, many wonder whether it will be able to handle the load and keep everyone moving.
Olympics officials have been weighing these concerns and are preparing ot release their final transportation plan, but many argue that the biggest challenge will be convincing locals to change their transportation habits during the event.
"Is London properly prepared for the demands on the system of an anticipated 5.3 million visitors? Forecasting these things is difficult. The capital's Underground system is a slowly-improving historical miracle but one that is susceptible to disruptions from many sources, a matter that will be discussed by the transport committee today with among others representatives of London's larger businesses and the RMT's Bob Crow. London's road congestion is already insane. The final edition of the Olympic Transport Plan, due very soon, will need to demonstrate that it has thought of everything that could go wrong.
Perhaps the most important thing will be persuading Londoners to make adjustments to their usual routines."
FULL STORY: The transport Olympics
London Congestion Pricing Zone Has No Impact on Local Spending
The city’s cordon pricing scheme did not affect how much people spent at local businesses, new research finds.
Bike Lanes Don't Cause Congestion
Research from Europe shows bike infrastructure doesn't add to urban traffic and can shift mode share from cars to bikes and reduce the need for solo car trips.
Traffic Reductions in Outer London's 'Mini-Hollands' Curtail Vehicle Ownership
An analysis of areas designated as "low traffic neighborhoods" shows a decrease in vehicle ownership rates, a promising sign for the traffic-choked metropolis.
Good Planning Under Bad Leadership
Planners must sometimes work under bad leadership. Here are suggestions for responsive planning in challenging political environments.
Legendary Parking Guru Donald Shoup Dies at 86
Urbanists are mourning the loss of a dynamic voice for parking reform and walkable cities.
Amtrak Cascades Line Breaks Ridership Record
The route linking Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, BC served nearly one million riders in 2024.
Over 71K Office-to-Apartment Units in the Pipeline for 2025
Adaptive reuse projects are continuing to bring thousands of new housing units onto the market as demand for office space remains low.
How Houston Can Be a Model for Housing Reform
The city builds more new housing than almost any other and has dramatically reduced homelessness, yet low-income families struggle to find affordable housing.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
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.
City of Brookings
City of White Salmon
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland