In 2009, Memphis was one of the worst cities for cycling, but it quickly reversed its course, becoming the most improved city for cycling according to Bicycling magazine in 2012.
In a recent CityLab post, Eric Jaffe discusses a recent study by three urban scholars (Kevin Smiley of Rice University, Wanda Rushing of the University of Memphis, and Michele Scott of North Carolina State) that traces Memphis's history as a cycling-friendly city. In the 1970s and 1980s, white flight and interstate expansion led to high poverty (28 percent) and a declining city population. In 2008, the city was named one of America's worst cycling cities according to Bicycling magazine.
However, "this changed with the 2010 opening of the Shelby Farms Greenline, a 6.5-mile rails-to-trails route for walkers and cyclists that runs through the center of town. Despite little support from local officials, project advocates made the idea a reality through private donations and a federal grant. The greenline became an instant hit." With the momentum of the Shelby Farms Greenline and pressure from cycling advocates and Mayor AC Wharton, the city of Memphis built out more than 50 miles of bike lanes. Bikes helped to spur economic and cultural growth, and socially connected people too.
Following in the greenline's footsteps, another planned project aims to repurpose a former Harahan Memphis to Arkansas road into a cyclist and bicycle highway, and has been backed by a $15 million TIGER grant. Despite these positive impacts, the researchers note that the Harahan project will alter the character of the neighborhood, and without "a commitment to social preservation of place, however, the gentrification evidenced over the last decade may be furthered with the installation of the Harahan, thereby undermining the goals associated with utilising bicycling as a civic change agent."
FULL STORY: How Memphis Became a Great Bicycle City

Planning for Congestion Relief
The third and final installment of Planetizen's examination of the role of the planning profession in both perpetuating and solving traffic congestion.

Minneapolis Housing Plan a Success—Not for the Reason You Think
Housing advocates praise the city’s move to eliminate single-family zoning by legalizing triplexes on single-family lots, but that isn’t why housing construction is growing.

‘Mega-Landlords’ Threaten Housing Stability for Renters
As institutional investors buy up a larger share of single-family homes, the families renting them are increasingly vulnerable to rent increases and eviction.

How To Sustain the E-Bike Boom: Make Riders Feel Safe
Riders of electric and non-electric bikes alike agree that they would ride more if they felt safer on city streets, signaling a need for an increased focus on bike infrastructure.

Zoning Stands in the Way of Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is cheap as ever, but zoning isn’t keeping up with the market.

Mixed Use Could Lower Neighborhood Crime Rates
New research shows areas with a heavy concentration of commercial offices experience 40 percent higher crime rates than neighborhoods that mix residential and commercial uses.
City & Borough of Juneau
City & Borough of Juneau
DMR Architects
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Redwood City
City of Rohnert Park
City of Hot Springs
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.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.