The Executive Director of the California High Speed Rail Authority, discusses the creation of a high speed rail system in California.
High-speed rail has long been discussed as a solution in California to shrinking airport capacity and growing regional transportation demand. At the same time, increased access from the Central Valley to Californias urban centers creates the capability for statewide sprawl. Still more questions remain on the on the financial viability of the business plan, the exact alignment of the railroad, and the specific rail technology best used for the goals of the project. In order to bring us up to date on the development of the high-speed rail project, to discuss the development trade-offs, and to articulate the financial and engineering planning, MIR was pleased to sit down with Mehdi Morshed, the Executive Director of the California High Speed Rail Authority.
Thanks to Larry Segal
FULL STORY: Mehdi Morshed Asserts California’s High-Speed Rail Project Is On Track

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

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

Rethinking Computing: Researchers Tackle AI’s Energy Demands
USC researchers are reimagining how AI systems are trained and powered — through smarter algorithms, innovative hardware, and brain-inspired designs — to dramatically reduce computing’s energy footprint.

Amazon-Owned Robotaxis to Begin Testing in LA
Los Angeles will become the sixth city where Zoox is testing its autonomous vehicle technology.

New York MTA Says No More Borrowing, Will Cut Costs Instead
The agency says it won’t take out any new loans to finance its planned improvements and is finding other ways to cut costs.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions