Andrew C. Revkin delivers the good news out of Rio, where global leaders are gathered to argue incessantly over how not to address climate change. At a side event, $175 billion in loans have been pledged for sustainable transportation.
Despite pre-conference pessimism, something meaningful has been achieved the Rio+20 earth summit. OK, it didn't really come out of the conference itself, where "tussles over the language in the conference declaration" continue. But, Revkin reports on a substantial agreement announced at a side event.
"Led by the Asian Development Bank, and nudged by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy
and other groups, the eight largest multilateral development banks have
committed to lending $175 billion over the next 10 years for
transportation projects that cut urban congestion and limit pollution
and energy waste."
Why is this important? According to Michael Replogle, the founder of the transportation and development institute, as the world's cities grow by a billion people over the next 20 years, "Having banks that have focused principally on building massive new roads focusing more on public transit, safer walking and bicycling, pollution reduction and improved freight systems is a huge breakthrough."
More importantly, "He [Replogle] said that these loans typically leverage 10 or 20 times more public
and private investment, meaning this initiative could shift trillions of
dollars from conventional road-building projects to more sustainable
transportation alternatives."
FULL STORY: Dispatches from Rio: Keeping Crowding Cities Moving

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

Car Designs Make it Harder to See Pedestrians
Blind spots created by thicker pillars built to withstand rollover crashes are creating dangerous conditions for people outside 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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie