Technology
Anti-Homeless Robot Raises Eyebrows in San Francisco
File under 'high-tech urban dystopia.”
Forget 'Smart'—We Need 'Context Cities'
Frequent Planetizen contributor Charles R. Wolfe reflects on reconciling global forces and local context in cities across three continents.
5G Broadband Coming in 2018, Says Verizon
The telecommunications company will debut the next-generation technology in three to five cities next year, including Sacramento.
California to Explore Next Steps in Converting From Gas Tax to Road Charge
A summary report of California's 9-month pilot program to test the use of a mileage charge to replace the gas tax to fund road infrastructure has been released. Next steps include exploring available technology to implement the road charge.
How London's Leading on Transit Data
Transport for London is forging ahead on several projects to collect and use more rider data. One initiative draws on WiFi connections to map users' paths through the London Underground.
FTA Launches Five-Year Study of Benefits of Vehicle Automation to Public Transit
Much of the scientific inquiry into the potential effects of automated vehicles has focused on ride hailing and transportation networking companies. What about good old-fashioned buses?
An App That Pairs Young Renters With Older Homeowners
A new platform called Nesterly provides housing solutions for people on either side of the age demographic spectrum.
Follow Up Questions for Toronto's Big 'Smart City' Plan
When it comes to "smart city" plans, there might not be a bigger blockbuster than the partnership between Waterfront Toronto and Sidewalk Labs, a unit of Google's parent company, Alphabet.
Shenzen Buses to Switch to 100 Percent Battery Power in a Global First
The city about to set a new standard for battery-powered electric bus transit was a small collection of fishing villages just 40 years ago.
Blow-Up Bulwark
Climate change is real, and happening now — but exactly what that means for coastal cities is surprisingly uncertain. Engineers at Princeton’s Form Finding Lab choose flexibility over fortification to protect coastal cities from flooding.
Explained: Mobility as a Service
Mobility as a Service, or MaaS for short, is a buzzword you've probably seen a lot of in recent months.
Can a Bike Commute Cause More Harm Than Good?
Researchers at Columbia University are investigating pollution intake among cyclists to determine if cycling really is a healthy way to commute.
Mapping the World's Autonomous Vehicle Proving Grounds
Around the world, nearly 70 cities are already testing and developing automated vehicles in some capacity.
Smart City Master Plan Announced Near Boston
"Smart city" plans are being announced at a steady clip. The latest master planned "smart city" proposal comes for a former U.S. Navy-owned site near Boston.
Greener Gasoline to Come from Solar-Powered Oil Wells in California
Crude oil from Kern County's Belridge field will soon have a much lower life cycle carbon intensity thanks to new solar technology used to extract hard-to-get oil. The renewal of California's carbon cap-and-trade market made it possible.
The High Cost of Curbside Electric Vehicle Charging
There's nothing like the convenience of charging one's electric vehicle at home, assuming you have a garage, driveway, or your apartment building has a charger. California cities and utilities are working to increase EV infrastructure on all fronts.
Giving Pedestrians a Head Start on Safety
Traffic signals at more than 2,000 intersections in New York City now have a pedestrian head start, making them the "unsung heroes" of Vision Zero.
All I Want for Christmas Is a New Transportation Planning Process
I put my Christmas wish in a little early this year—wanted to give Santa time to deliver, and it's not an easy wish to grant. No data, no graphs, no citations, just some thoughts to share.
Making the Leap From Smart Projects to Smart Cities
Most "smart city" projects to-date are somewhat isolated and are not part of a more comprehensive network.
Timber Industry 'Bracing' for Soaring Demand
Building with wood is back in fashion, but lumber producers have to reckon with thorny politics and new timber-based materials that have yet to be truly defined.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
