Last Mile

A blue Amazon three-wheeled electric delivery cargo bike in New York City.

Amazon launches cargo bike deliveries in DC

The e-commerce giant is deploying micromobility devices including cargo bikes and mopeds in several global markets to reduce the need for larger trucks and vans for last-mile deliveries.

May 31, 2026 - Palo Alto Online

A four-wheeled e-bike in D.C.

D.C. pilots four-wheeled e-cargo bike deliveries with Amazon

The 10 month program will pilot 15 bikes for last mile deliveries.

May 18, 2026 - MSN

White minibus with yellow "On-Demand" logo parked in an asphalt lot with grass field and dry fall trees in background in Edmonton, Canada.

Is Microtransit a Threat to ‘Real Transit’?

A new report warns that microtransit is nothing more than a taxpayer funded Uber with potentially dangerous consequences for existing traditional transit services.

May 22, 2024 - Streetsblog USA

Metro Buses

When a Planner Commutes by Bus: Score Card

Commitment gets tested when a dedicated urbanist, transit rider, and L.A. County planner is relocate to a suburban office. Clement Lau shares his thoughts about the good and the bad of riding an L.A. Metro bus.

March 13, 2018 - UrbDeZine

Bus Upholstery

Lyft to Take Phoenix Bus Riders Home from Bus Stops

Phoenix voters approved the city's Transportation 2050 plan, a package which includes more frequent bus service, road improvements, eventual light rail service and subsidizes Lyft rides: Lyft for public transit riders going to or coming from a stop.

November 7, 2017 - Smart Cities Dive

Congestion versus mobility

Planning for the Rich by the Rich

Decision makers in cities can mistake their own preferences for the preferences of the city as a whole, which is doubly dangerous when elite preferences become the law of the land.

August 7, 2017 - Human Transit

Car Share

Good News on Car Sharing

Car sharing networks that allow the vehicle to be returned to any location were found to have the impact of removing seven cars for each rented car in San Diego in a three-year study released July 19.

July 27, 2016 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

A Robot to Go the 'Last Mile'

Contrary to one some urbanists believe, some of the advancements of the new economy might better serve less dense, even suburban, environments. Example: a delivery robot created by the co-founders of Skype.

November 6, 2015 - The New York Times

Car2go Expands to Queens: Last Mile Solution or Congestion Nightmare?

With a track record of success in Brooklyn, Car2go is expanding its service to Long Island City and the rest of western Queens. An article in Crain's examines the implications of the move.

August 12, 2015 - Crain's New York Business

Uber Sidecar Lyft

Op-Ed: Rideshare Beats Streetcars for Short Trips

Especially for parties with more than one passenger, summoning a car can make more sense, according to a recent op-ed. Transit still wins out for longer trips, but streetcars might just not be worth it downtown.

August 7, 2015 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Boston transit station

Study: For Transit Proximity, Think Beyond a Half-Mile

A recent study suggests that people consider transit proximity to be more flexible than planners often allow.

January 13, 2015 - CityLab

A Successful Commuter Shuttle that Serves more than Commuters

The Emery Go-Round is a shuttle service that meets the "last mile" challenge that prevents many commuters from using public transit. Unlike other commuter shuttles, it serves the greater Emeryville community as well. And the buses are full.

November 14, 2013 - NPR

Rise of Reverse Commuting Challenges Transportation Planners

With urban populations growing, an interesting phenomenon is spreading in cities across the U.S. - the rise of the (often congested) reverse commute. It brings with it new challenges, like how to provide transit riders with last mile connections.

October 30, 2013 - NPR

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

Director, Strategy and Research

Greater Baltimore Committee

Top Books

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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.