A new rail age is dawning in California, thanks to high-speed rail; BART's impending "fleet of the future"; and more, says Projjal Dutta, director of sustainability at NYC's MTA. If successful, this will mean a major reduction of car use and sprawl.
"High-speed rail was a signature Obama transportation policy during his first term, but many of the 13 projects that were signed up to receive funding have fallen by the wayside....However (and despite Elon Musk's claims about Hyperloop's superiority), the good stars lined up for the California High Speed Rail (CHSR)."
Furthermore: "Bay Area Rapid Transit is in the midst of a large procurement process for new train sets, which it is calling the Fleet of the Future."
And: "SF Muni, which operates the famous cable cars in San Francisco and the extensive bus and streetcar system within the city limits, is also in the midst of a capital expansion program. So is LA Metro, the organization bringing mass transit to Los Angeles... Even smaller jurisdictions like San Diego are revitalizing their trolley lines, creating an unprecedented rail renaissance in California."
FULL STORY: California Ushers in New Rail Age
Op-Ed: To Survive, Bay Area Transit Needs Integration
Advocates for ‘seamless’ transit are calling on California state leaders to tie a consolidation study to a one-time injection of funding into the Bay Area’s transit systems.
Transit and the ‘Big One’
Bay Area transit agencies employ rigorous protocols to ensure they’re prepared for the next major earthquake.
On Housing, Cities' Traditional Political Labels No Longer Apply
Historically liberal cities belie their supposed concern for human welfare by rejecting new development. Meanwhile, more conservative cities have seized the moment to become more progressive, innovative, and inclusive.
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
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
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
