Pedestrian infrastructure

Benches along lit paved bike trail adjacent to freeway overpass in Albany, New York

Albany Freeway Ramp Reimagined as Park, Trail

An underused freeway exit ramp is now an inviting linear park that connects the city to the Hudson River.

May 31, 2023 - Public Square

Aerial view of 238 freeway in Oakland, California cutting through neighborhood with small houses

The Limitations of ‘Reconnecting Communities’

The Biden administration has pledged to correct the damage imposed on communities by highways and infrastructure, but many projects are only committing to minor improvements, not transformative changes.

May 26, 2023 - The New York Times

Bike land and pedestrian lane marked with white paint on grey asphalt

The Best New Complete Streets Policies, Ranked

After a pandemic hiatus, Smart Growth America has resumed creating an annual list of cities that are making the strongest commitments to improving street safety and making roads accessible and comfortable for everyone.

May 25, 2023 - Governing

People on bikes in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

FHWA Issues New Pedestrian, Bike, Micromobility Guidance

The updated federal guidelines incorporate new policies created in the 2021 infrastructure law.

May 22, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Mother and child on bicycles riding on green dedicated bike lane

Essay: How Poor Pedestrian Planning Harms Families

A lack of safe bike and pedestrian infrastructure can drive young families away from places that don’t accommodate car-free residents.

May 22, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Aerial view of Sioux Falls, South Dakota at sunset

Sioux Falls To Update Bike and Pedestrian Plans

The South Dakota city wants to encourage more biking and develop a comprehensive bike trail network.

May 12, 2023 - Sioux Falls Simplified

Worker in yellow safety suit holding up orange SLOW sign on road

How Cities are Spending Safe Streets Funds

New federal grant programs are injecting millions of dollars into road safety projects in an effort to stem the alarming growth of traffic deaths on U.S. roads.

May 10, 2023 - Governing

Blurry speeding cars on an urban road

U.S. Road Deaths Keep Rising

Traffic safety advocates urge cities and states to lower speed limits and improve pedestrian infrastructure to stem the growth in traffic deaths and injuries.

April 27, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

A sign near Dupont Circle gives directions to Florida Avenue and Connecticut Avenue, which are both major roads in the city.

D.C. Rolls Back Connecticut Avenue Bike Lane Plan

After receiving complaints about parking loss and loading zone access, the city will consider revisions to a plan to make Connecticut Avenue safer for people on bikes, pedestrians, and transit users.

April 25, 2023 - The Washington Post

Cyclists of All Ages Enjoy a Sunday Morning Ride on the Neuse River Trail.

The East Coast Greenway Is Stitching Together a 3,000-Mile Trail Network

The ever-evolving greenway connects biking and walking trails from Maine to Florida.

April 18, 2023 - Reasons to Be Cheerful

Walking

How Little Do Americans Walk?

Despite the high cost of car ownership, Americans walk less than almost any other nation, even for short trips that could be done on foot.

April 17, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Pedestrians crossing a busy crosswalk on New York City street with tall buildings in background

Tracking Mobility in New York City

A new program uses sensors to detect how people move and using which modes, but road safety advocates argue the city already knows how to make streets safer for vulnerable users.

April 17, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of crosswalk button for blind pedestrians labeled "button for audible signal only"

Chicago Found Liable for ADA Violations

A federal judge ruled that the city fails to provide “meaningful access” to many of its streets due to a lack of infrastructure for pedestrians with vision impairments at most of the city’s intersections.

April 10, 2023 - WGN

Aerial view of Edmonds, Washington with road in foreground and buidings surrounded by trees

Checking in on Washington State’s Complete Streets Law

A new requirement that mandates bike and pedestrian improvements on state road projects is starting to pay off with real commitments to Complete Streets infrastructure.

April 9, 2023 - The Urbanist

Two people riding bikes with helmets on paved park trail

‘Arrested Mobility’: How Transportation-Related Laws Impact Black Americans

A far-reaching new study highlights the disproportionate effect of biking and walking laws on the mobility of Black Americans.

March 29, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Sidewalk

Mapping Sidewalks for Improved Connectivity

A new tool uses aerial image recognition to map a city’s sidewalks and crosswalks. Its developers hope it will aid in creating a more comprehensive understanding of pedestrian networks and where improvements are needed.

March 22, 2023 - MIT News

Rendering of landscaped street with street trees and pedestrian sidewalk

South L.A. Complete Streets Project Back on Track

First proposed in 2015, the Broadway-Manchester redesign would add bike infrastructure, pedestrian improvements, trees, and other amenities.

February 7, 2023 - Urbanize LA

Overhead view of crosswalk with pedestrian median

Safe Streets Grants Announced

The federal Safe Streets and Roads for All program funds planning and implementation for road safety projects aimed at reducing traffic deaths and building safe infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users.

February 2, 2023 - U.S. Department Of Transportation

People on bikes on crowded Rue de Rivoli in Paris in 2020

Where Pandemic Bike Improvements Won Out

While some cities are reverting back to pre-pandemic street configurations, others are taking advantage of the momentum for bike and pedestrian infrastructure to make pandemic-era projects permanent.

January 29, 2023 - Momentum Magazine

An aerial view of a typical suburban neighborhood in Texas.

Houston Considering a ‘Sidewalk-In-Lieu-Fee’ for Residential Projects

Developers and homeowners might be able to opt-out of the Houston’s sidewalk ordinance under legislation under consideration by the Houston City Council this week.

January 25, 2023 - Houston Chronicle

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.

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA

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.