The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments recently approved a Regional Transportation Priorities Plan that focuses on improving existing systems. A lot of planning remains to decide which projects get built.
Robert Thomson details the Regional Transportation Priorities Plan, as recently approved by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. The plan focuses on “fixing the road and rail systems we already have” by planning transportation regionally, rather than by jurisdiction or by travel mode.
The plan addresses three primary goals: 1) Meet existing obligations, 2) Strengthen public confidence, and 3) Move more people, more efficiently.
But whether the plan proves fruitful will depend on later planning processes. Thomson also describes important distinctions that will determine the level of influence the plan can have in influencing the D.C. area’s future transportation investments: “The Washington region doesn’t have a central authority that tells localities what to spend on which transportation projects. The priorities plan doesn’t affect the underlying structure of local planning.” Thomson adds, “The power of the Transportation Planning Board lies in the legal need for the jurisdictions to incorporate their projects into the region’s Constrained Long-Range Transportation Plan.”
FULL STORY: D.C. area planners adopt transportation priorities that focus on fixing what’s broken
Is NIMBY-Shaming a Viable Housing Strategy?
Facing a severe housing shortage, Washington, D.C. grapples with how to approach the challenges presented by local stakeholders who oppose any and all development.
D.C. Region Sets Goal to Reduce GHG Emissions From Transportation 50% by 2030
Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the D.C. region—and the rest of the country. The D.C. region is committing to drastic actions to change their ways, however.
New Long-Range Transportation Plan for the D.C. Region Will Include a Climate Addendum
The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board has almost completed the latest version fo the Visualize 2045 long-range transportation plan, but it is already making plans to add a climate plan to the final product.
Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself
The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.
Santa Clara County Dedicates Over $28M to Affordable Housing
The county is funding over 600 new affordable housing units via revenue from a 2016 bond measure.
Why a Failed ‘Smart City’ Is Still Relevant
A Google-backed proposal to turn an underused section of Toronto waterfront into a tech hub holds relevant lessons about privacy and data.
When Sears Pioneered Modular Housing
Kit homes sold in catalogs like Sears and Montgomery Ward made homeownership affordable for midcentury Americans.
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 Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions