The Economist is fascinated by China's experiments in public-private financing in which the government gives land to private transit developers in exchange for greater mobility.
Private builder MTR Corporation of Hong Kong worked with the government of Shenzhen, China to build a new $7 billion rail system, even though they new from a study they commissioned that railway investment "is not financially viable on its own." The MTR concluded that if the Hong Kong government gave them property adjacent to the system they could make it pencil out.
From The Economist:
"The results have not been entirely successful. Some of the MTR projects reflect the worst of bleak government architecture but over time its portfolio has become a bit smarter; and these property holdings, along with the lease of advertising space, now account for more than 60% of MTR's revenues and presumably all of its very healthy profits, as well as providing the financial strength to support its spotless metro service."
FULL STORY: Chinese mass transit: On the right track
Audit of New Jersey Transit Highlights Problems to Address
The agency is facing a multitude of funding, management, and organizational challenges.
Interviewed: Jerry Wray, Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation
Excerpts of an interview with Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jerry Wray, who spoke candidly about the state's role in maintaining and building transportation projects in Cincinnati and around the state of Ohio.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.
San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan
The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.
Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts
Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.
Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement
An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions