North America
Oil and Rail Industries Agree to Phase Out Oldest Rail Oil Tank Cars
A deal may be near between energy and rail industries and the Department of Transportation to phase out the DOT-111 tank car—the same kind implicated in the horrific explosions of oil trains, particularly those carry Bakken crude from North Dakota.
Urban Baby Boom Requires Baby-Friendly Planning
Jillian Glover writes of her new perspective on what makes a city welcoming and safe for young families—the newest perspective, in fact. She's a new mother.
Lac-Mégantic One Year Later
July 6, 2014 marks the one-year anniversary of North America's most catastrophic energy calamity when a runaway oil unit train carrying Bakken crude exploded in this small Quebec town killing 47 people and incinerating ten blocks of its downtown.
Paradox: Congestion May Signify Better Accessibility and Economic Productivity
Although transport planners consider traffic congestion economically harmful, economic productivity tends to increase with congestion and decline with increased road supply. This paradox can be explained by more nuanced analysis of accessibility.
When is Density Beneficial in Disasters?
Comparing cities versus suburbs in disaster resiliency and recovery.
Big Changes for the National Geographic Atlas of the World Due to Melting Arctic Ice
National Geographic Geographer Juan José Valdés calls the changes in the map of Arctic ice in the 10th edition of the National Geographic Atlas of the World, "the biggest visible change other than the breakup of the U.S.S.R."
Urbanists Soak Up Buffalo: PlaceMakers Empty Their Notebooks
Many of you attended CNU in Buffalo last week, but for those of you who couldn't make it, here's a quick collection of a few of the ideas shared.
First Responders Not Prepared for Oil Train Explosions Despite Emergency Order
Notwithstanding an emergency order DOT issued on May 7 that railroads must provide cities oil train information, secrecy continues to cloak the transport of hazardous oil shipments leaving first responders ill-prepared to handle fiery explosions.
DOT's Emergency Actions on Shipping Bakken Crude by Rail Fall Short
In what is being billed as the first emergency order of more to come, the Department of Transportation (DOT), the federal regulator of transporting crude oil by rail, hopes to quell the growing national furor over what some call 'ticking time bombs'.
Oil Train Derailment, Fire, and Spill Shed Light on Lack of Preparation
The derailment of the CSX oil unit train in downtown Lynchburg, Va. on April 30 and subsequent fire and oil spill into the James River caught Lynchburg, Va. officials off-guard, who were unaware of the oil shipments, let alone how to handle crashes.
Rethinking Streets: New Report Illustrates Complete Streets Projects
"Rethinking Streets," a new report by the University of Oregon's Sustainable Cities Initiative, provides detailed information on 25 complete streets and streetscaping projects. It is available free in PDF and hard copy format.
How To Justify Converting Parking Lanes into Bike Lanes
Montreal city planners used a simple tactic to illustrate the small portion of area car parking that would need to be foregone in order to build a downtown bike path.
Canada Acts while U.S. Lags on Rail Oil Tank Car Safety
Transport Canada jumped past U.S. DOT on April 23 by taking decisive action on "exploding" oil tank cars that are traveling throughout North America due largely to an insufficient oil pipeline network. Within three years, the older cars must go.
Engage; Don’t Rage: Use a Design Charrette to Negotiate Your Next Development Proposal
Despite the investments required of a design charrette, Robert Freedman makes the case that the process can save time and money on complex projects by way of three primary benefits.
A Call to Flâner, for Spatial Justice
The concept of the flâneur was created in the 19th century in response to the encroaching speed and efficiency of the Industrial Age. Can the flâneur now fashion a political response to the Age of the Automobile?
Trump Golf Courses Seek Environmental Certification
Donald Trump has committed to working with the environmental nonprofit Audubon International to improve the environmental practices on the 20 Trump Golf courses around the world.
All-Ages Urbanism: 12 Ideas for More Kid-Friendly Cities
Chris Bruntlett draws on precedents from across North America to illustrate simple ways that our cities can better serve, entertain, and nurture children.
Why Urban History Matters
Chuck Wolfe's recent reconnaissance of Edinburgh provides a foil for his rallying cry: Going forward, let’s not discount the influence of history’s recurring themes in how we redevelop the urban realm.
Let Love Rule: Resilience in Mesquite
Are your local planning tools supporting a thriving and resilient future? Andrew von Maur shares a little inspiration from Las Cruces, New Mexico.
States Reinvest in Once-Abandoned Freight Lines
Take 260 trucks off the road for every train, avoid costs for maintaining highways maintenance cost, and create multiple other environmental and economic development advantages—states are reinvesting in their rail lines.
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
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
