janette sadik-khan

Aerial view of traffic in New York City entering Queens Midtown tunnel

Sadik-Khan: NYC Congestion Pricing Program Potentially ‘Transformative’—If Done Right

The former transportation commissioner says the city must ensure the program isn’t “all stick and no carrot to succeed.

September 18, 2023 - Curbed

Chicago Transit

Chicago's New Strategic Plan for Transportation Prioritizes Equity and Accountability

The plan calls for safer streets, more equitable distribution of resources, and expanded community engagement.

August 1, 2021 - Streetsblog Chicago

Protected bike lane New York

Protected Bike Lanes: How New York City Made It Happen

While resistance to protected bike lanes can be high, the economic and safety paybacks are substantial.

September 20, 2018 - Greater Greater Washington

Los Angeles Street

Questionable Progress in Los Angeles Traffic Safety

Despite enacting a Vision Zero policy in 2015, traffic fatalities continue to rise in Los Angeles

November 6, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

Busy Crossing Street

Where Cities Have Helped Walkers

Laura Laker surveys efforts to make cities more walkable, from Melbourne's converted alleys to Guangzhou's 60-mile ecological corridor.

September 14, 2017 - The Guardian

Street Fighting Woman: New Book by Janette Sadik-Khan Details Time at NYC DOT

The media response to Janette Sadik-Khan's new book has been at scale with the New York-sized ambitions of her tenure as commissioner of transportation.

March 9, 2016 - Eno Center for Transportation

The Battle for Times Square—Why It Matters, Even Outside New York

The piece begins not in New York but three thousand miles west in Seattle with Janette Sadik-Khan explaining how she triumphed over auto interests by taking back precious road space and returning it to the people in the form of plazas and bike lanes.

August 30, 2015 - CityLab

A sign for pedestrians and cars

Lessons from 'The Human Scale'

How can we redirect our city building into a form that can handle the expected doubling of urban residents over the next 40 years? Great ideas can be found in this collection of soundbites from the film, "The Human Scale."

February 17, 2015 - PlaceShakers

Citi Bike Rack

The United States' Top Large City for Biking Is...

Portland (top city in 2012)? Minneapolis (top city in 2010)? No, it's the Big Apple! New York City leaped from #7 in 2012 to the top spot this year for cities with populations of 100,000 or greater.

September 8, 2014 - StreetsBlog NYC

Successor to Sadik-Khan Announced

Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio has announced that Polly Trottenberg, the third-ranking official at the US Department of Transportation, will become the next Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation. She's got big shoes to fill.

January 1, 2014 - WNYC: Transportation Nation

For Next Act, Bloomberg and Pals to Lead "Urban SWAT Team"

The mystery of what outgoing mayor Michael Bloomberg and his top lieutenants will do for their next act has been solved. Many will continue to work together at a new consultancy exporting the ideas they've championed in New York to other cities.

December 16, 2013 - The New York Times

Janette Sadik-Khan at Manhattan Bridge Archway opening

Let the Sadik-Khan to the City of __ Rumors Begin

This week, vacancies opened at the top of transportation departments in America's second and third largest cities. Meanwhile, one of the most influential and well respected transportation leaders may soon be out of a job. Let the courtship begin!

November 2, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

New York Skyline Fisheye

A Design and Planning To-Do List for NYC's Next Mayor

Over the past 12 years, New York has been transformed. For the better in some instances (bike lanes, pedestrian plazas), and perhaps not in others (unaffordability). Michael Kimmelman suggests how to build on the successes and correct the problems.

October 20, 2013 - The New York Times

What's Next for Bloomberg Admin's Star Planners?

Janette Sadik-Khan and Amanda Burden have been among the most visible proponents, and benefactors, of the progressive planning initiatives that've transformed New York City over the last decade. They'll take on the post-Bloomberg transition together.

July 22, 2013 - Crain's New York Business

How Will New York's Landscape Change Once Mayor Mike Leaves Office?

Ryan Holeywell looks at the land use legacy of the Bloomberg Administration - perhaps his "signal achievement" - and wonders if his successor can continue the momentum.

March 2, 2013 - Governing

Why Are Traffic Deaths Rising Again in NYC?

After a decade of steady declines in traffic-related fatalities in New York City, amid a focused effort to improve traffic safety, Robert Kolker examines why such deaths spiked upward of 23 percent in the past year.

November 28, 2012 - New York Magazine

What's Driving the Rise in NYC Traffic Deaths?

Despite years of consistent decline, and a variety of efforts aimed at improving safety, traffic fatalities spiked by 23 percent last year in New York City. Matt Flegenheimer examines what may be causing the increase.

September 26, 2012 - The New York Times

NYC Traffic Safety Campaign Takes to the Feets

In an effort to make the city's streets safer for the legions of distracted pedestrians gazing downwards at guidebooks and phone screens, NYC is taking a page from its compatriots in London and installing exhortations to “LOOK!” in its crosswalks.

September 20, 2012 - The New York Times

Friday Funny: Urbanism Avengers Assemble!

Last week's record setting premiere of the Avengers movie franchise inspired the launch of a planning and design themed legion of superheroes on Twitter. Sommer Mathis interviews the urbanist behind the mask.

May 11, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Can Times Square's Makeover Win Back the Heart of New Yorkers?

Justin Davidson examines the latest "reinvention" of Times Square, sealing the deal on a move toward pedestrianization that began three years ago.

April 25, 2012 - New York Magazine

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.