#TransitTrends Asks: 'Where Did City Planning Go Wrong?'

The transportation planning app moovel (formerly known as Ridescout) has created a YouTube series called Transit Trends that brings "explainer posts" to a new format.

1 minute read

July 20, 2016, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


The YouTube channel for moovel (the app formerly known as RideScout) has launched a new YouTube series called Transit Trends, with five episodes already queued up.

The latest episode discusses "why the city planning of the past is the cause of our current transportation mess," calling on Gabe Klein, former Director of the D.C. Department of Transportation and Commissioner of Transportation of Chicago, as well as the author of Start-Up City, to provide his insight into the challenges facing planners working to resolve the disconnect between planning and transportation.

Klein sums up his position on the common ground between land use and transportation planning thusly: "When we talk about transit, we often get caught up in talking about moving people….What we're really doing is creating great places, when you connect land use to transit."

Jeff Wood, known to many by his Twitter handle of @TheOverheadWire, also contributes his expertise to the episode, especially with regard to the legacy of 20th century planning: sprawling patterns of urban development that have limited the reach of mass transit in many contemporary U.S. cities.

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

May 7, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

May 1, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Wide suburban road with landscaped median and light pole banners advertising local amphitheater.

End Human Sacrifices to the Demanding Gods of Automobile Dependency and Sprawl

The U.S. has much higher traffic fatality rates than peer countries due to automobile dependency and sprawl. Better planning can reduce these human sacrifices.

April 29, 2025 - Todd Litman

Close-up of pug dog sitting on woman's lap on city bus.

Seattle Transit Asked to Clarify Pet Policy

A major dog park near a new light rail stop is prompting calls to update and clarify rules for bringing pets on Seattle-area transit systems.

6 hours ago - The Urbanist

Modular home being lifted with crane.

Oregon Bill Would End Bans on Manufactured Housing

The bill would prevent new developments from prohibiting mobile homes and modular housing.

7 hours ago - Oregon Capital Chronicle

Two people on Nashville BCycle bike share wearing helmets loking out over railing at downtown skyline.

Nashville Doesn’t Renew Bike Share Contract, Citing Lost Federal Funding

The city’s bike share system, operated by BCycle, could stop operating if the city doesn’t find a new source of funding.

May 9 - WKRN

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.