Transportation

Updated Transit Network for Columbus Available for Public Comment

Jarrett Walker shares news of a proposed transit network update for Columbus, Ohio, which he helped develop as part of a consulting team led by IBI Associates. The update has been released for public comment.

May 31, 2014 - Human Transit

Recent Data Show Americans Continuing to Kick the Driving Habit

Fresh data from the Federal Highway Commission details the amount of travel by American's on roads and highways through March 2013. When adjusted for population growth, a conclusion for a new age emerges: the driving boom is over.

May 30, 2014 - Investing

Friday Eye Candy: Seven Maps of the NYC Subway

The modernist designer Massimo Vignelli, who created the 1972 version of the New York City Subway map, passed away this week at 83.

May 30, 2014 - Next City

Chicago Regulates Uber and Lyft—but Not Enough to Satisfy Taxi Companies

The Chicago City Council passed an ordinance to regulate companies like Uber and Lyft, but taxi cab companies and their political supporters believe the policy set by the Emanuel Administration doesn't go far enough.

May 29, 2014 - Chicago Tribune

Offsetting: A Third Strategy to Fund Federal Transportation Spending

"What program would you cut to continue the same level of transportation spending without raising the gas tax, e.g. cancer treatment programs, Head Start?," asks Streetsblog USA's Tanya Snyder after reading Sen. Bob Corker's (R-Tenn.) recommendation.

May 29, 2014 - Streetsblog USA

New York Bike Lane

How Bikes are Changing the Map of New York City

For New York City's bikers, new bicycle infrastructure has shortened distances between transit stops and raised the value of rentals in out of the way corners of the city.

May 28, 2014 - New York Times

Before I die

What is the New American Dream?

The new American Dream is about place, and that brings people and communities together. The 20th Century American Dream tended to pull cities and towns apart.

May 28, 2014 - Better! Cities & Towns

FLV California train

California High Speed Rail Update

The San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Center offers good news about California's slow-to-start high speed rail.

May 28, 2014 - SPUR Blog

Washington D.C. Metro

On the Legacy of the Great Society: the Washington, D.C. Metro

As part of an ongoing celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Great Society, the Washington Post examines the urban focus and mass transit benefits of President Lyndon B. Johnson's unprecedented programs.

May 27, 2014 - The Washington Post

Amsterdam Electric Car 2

Electric Vehicles Not Welcome in Europe

It may seem odd that the continent of high gas taxes and strong environmental ethos would not take to electric vehicles. Focusing on the news that Renault will delay the release of a new EV, AutoblogGreen explores the poor sales of EVs in Europe.

May 27, 2014 - AutoBlogGreen

NYC-crosswalk

Public Space as Pedestrian Facility: Comparing New York City and Paris

Paris and New York City are two of the world's more successful pedestrian cities, with each boasting several kinds of data that show the predominance of alternative transportation. An article compares public space in each for lessons.

May 27, 2014 - Project For Public Spaces

After Five-Year Wait, Keystone XL Builder Exploring Rail Options

Keystone XL pipeline builder TransCanada is in the business of transporting oil to its customers, preferably by pipelines, but it's CEO has stated for the first time it will turn to "more costly and and controversial rail" to fill the pipeline gap.

May 26, 2014 - Reuters

Parking Propels Real Estate Bubble in Beijing

What's causing underground parking spaces to go for $160,000 in Beijing? Quartz reports that demand, narrow roads, resident disenfranchisement and old zoning law give developers the upper-hand.

May 26, 2014 - Quartz

Planners Working on a Road Diet Sea Change in Houston

Planners in Houston are working on street configurations in large swaths of the city. The plans reflect Mayor Annise Parker's recent executive order to embrace complete streets as well as a growing demand among residents for walkable, safe streets.

May 25, 2014 - Houston Chronicle

Where Can Tesla Sell Cars? (And Where Can Tesla Not Sell Cars?)

The direct sales model of Tesla has led many states, at the behest of auto dealer interests, to block the sale of the vehicles. Treehugger drew up a map to give a clear picture of where Tesla is welcome.

May 25, 2014 - Treehugger

Transit Planning for the Future of the Brooklyn-Queens Waterfront

The Brooklyn-Queens Waterfront is amidst a radical change—massive housing projects, celebrated parks, and new jobs by the thousands. One writer calls for transit planning now, to support the waterfront of the future.

May 25, 2014 - StreetsBlog NYC

Will Driverless Cars Spell Doom for Law Enforcement Budgets?

What happens to law-enforcement budget (and, for that matter, municipal budgets) in a future of law-abiding driverless cars?

May 24, 2014 - Network World

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.

May 24, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal

Continuing the Fire Safety vs. Urban Design Debate

A dense network of streets creates the conditions for faster response times. Better pedestrian and automobile safety and excellent response times is a win-win. So why are fire officials undermining this network with calls for wider streets?

May 24, 2014 - Better! Cities & Towns

Kids Biking

Making Biking Cool for Kids

A three-year bike-to-school initiative in Europe encourages children to bike to school.

May 23, 2014 - TheCityFix

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.

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.