What is more likely to constitute a successful transit system -- one that runs dirty old vehicles at shorter headways or one that runs beautiful comfortable vehicles less frequently? Tom Vanderbilt wades into the public conversation in Slate
Vanderbilt considers the counter viewpoints delivered by planners Jarrett Walker, in his book "Human Transit," and Darrin Nordahl, in his book "My Kind of Transit". Walker "espouses a very "system"-oriented view of transit: He cares less what trains look like-or even that they're trains to begin with-than that they simply run on time (and take people where they want to go)." Nordhal, however, argues that the "ride experience" is crucial for getting Americans out of their cars and into public transit.
Although Vanderbilt believes that Walker's position is a stronger determinant in getting the most people onto transit, he seems to see the debate less as an either/or proposition, and more of an and. Both approaches have their appropriate uses (i.e. what will get tourists on board versus everyday users). Why can't we create systems that exhibit the highest of both quality and quantity?
FULL STORY: What’s the Best Way To Get Users To Embrace Mass Transit?
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
Colorado Bans No-Fault Evictions
In most cases, landlords must provide a just cause for evicting tenants.
Alaska Village Becomes Test Case for Climate Change Relocation
The Yup’ik village of Newtok is the first Alaska community to begin a full-scale relocation necessitated by the impacts of climate change. Another 31 Alaska communities remain vulnerable.
Amtrak Takes Lead on Texas Central Rail
The high-speed rail project isn’t a done deal, but if it moves forward, trains could begin operating in 2030.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.