Transportation

Road Rage

What's the Basis for Anti-Cycling Rage?

Tom Stafford opines on the reasons why cyclists enrage car drivers. He argues that "motorists hate cyclists because they think they offend the moral order."

February 24, 2013 - BBC

Smart Growth Approach Urged in the UK

An alliance of organizations in the United Kingdom has agreed on a policy statement promoting smart growth alternatives to current policies.

February 24, 2013 - Brownfield Briefing

Is Car-Share a Friend or Foe to Environmental Concerns?

The Sierra Club has opposed an ordinance passed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors that allows developers to add spaces above parking limits if they're dedicated to car-share vehicles. Does the plan violate the city's Transit First policy?

February 22, 2013 - Transportation Nation

Schools: Planning's Enduring Blindspot

Schools are a prime driver of housing choices and transportation behavior. So why are schools and children often missing from the planning process? Ruth Miller diagnoses the problem and looks at how we can change it.

February 22, 2013 - Colab Radio

Should Power Utility Customers Pay for Road Projects?

WI Gov. Scott Walker's proposal is to sell-off state assets, primarily state power plants to finance his transportation plan, thus linking rate payers with funding road projects. His transportation commission recommended raising the gas tax and fees.

February 22, 2013 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinal

Robert Moses State Parkway

In Fitting Finale, NY Will Tear Down Robert Moses Parkway

From Niagara Falls comes news that the State of New York will rip out a two-mile stretch of the Robert Moses Parkway, which has divided city residents from the scenic Niagara Gorge for a half-century.

February 21, 2013 - The Buffalo News

How Communities Are Fighting Transportation Injustice

Transportation costs disproportionately effect low-income families, while federal transportation spending biases affluent drivers over lower-income mass transit riders. Activists are utilizing civil rights legislation to challenge the status quo.

February 21, 2013 - Boston Review

Seattle and Chicago Mayors Bicker Over Bikers

Back in December, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced his aim of attracting Seattle's bikers and tech jobs while opening a new protected bike lane downtown. Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn isn't taking Emanuel's entreaties lightly.

February 21, 2013 - Seattle Bike Blog

Could New York be Carbon-Free by 2050?

A new report shows that New York City could be 90 percent carbon-free by 2050, "without breaking the bank," if it upgrades heating systems and transportation to renewable electricity, reports Taz Loomans.

February 21, 2013 - Inhabitat

Can D.C. Become America's 'Healthiest, Greenest and Most Livable' City?

With the release of his new "Sustainable D.C." plan, Mayor Vincent Gray has outlined dozens of initiatives "that he hopes will vastly change how residents and visitors experience and travel across the city," reports Tim Craig.

February 20, 2013 - The Washington Post

Obama Outlines Infrastructure Strategy

Today, President Obama is expected to flesh out the details of his plan to repair the nation’s ailing infrastructure. John Schwartz details the initiatives, which aim to circumvent Congress and capitalize on private investment.

February 20, 2013 - The New York Times

Atlanta Dedicates $2.5 Million to Bicycle Projects in 2013

The Atlanta City Council approved spending cash from a quality of life bond package to fund several improvements, including $2.5 million in bicycle projects. Among the projects to be funded are the city's first bike boulevard.

February 20, 2013 - Creative Loafing Atlanta

Free Transit a Big Hit in Estonian Capital

In January of this year, Tallinn (pop. 423,000) became the first European capital and the largest European city to provide public transit free of charge to its residents. So far, the experiment has proven a success.

February 19, 2013 - Euro Cities

Infrastructure: By-Passing Tomorrow for Easy Implementation Today

We solve problems with over-engineered, anti-urban infrastructure schemes even though we have no plan for funding their future maintenance obligations. Howard Blackson uses San Diego as an example, and offers up some pedestrian-oriented solutions.

February 19, 2013 - PlaceShakers

L.A. Streetcar

Streetcars: The Latest Must-Have Accessory for CA's Cities

Los Angeles recently took a major step in its plan to return streetcars to downtown's streets. But they're not the only Southern California city pursuing the nation's trendy transit mode. Bill Fulton examines the attraction.

February 17, 2013 - California Planning & Development Report

Will Other States Follow Wyoming's Lead In Raising Gas Tax?

Wyoming has gone where few states have gone recently - defied conventional wisdom that the 'gas tax is dead' and shown that it is very much alive with the Senate increasing the state excise tax by 71% (10-cents). Gov. Matt Mead is expected to sign.

February 17, 2013 - Casper Star-Tribune

Austin Bike Map

Designing a More Meaningful Bike Map

Experts have opined that up to 60 percent of residents are inclined to want to bike, but concerned about the safety of their route. Working from this premise, the city of Austin has developed a novel bike map keyed to the comfort of each street.

February 16, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

To Combat Pedestrian Deaths, Shift Blame from the Victim

With many states witnessing a rise in pedestrian fatalities, David M Nelson asks: "Where is the public outcry to improve safety?" With pedestrians often blamed for such incidents, he argues new laws dealing with pedestrian-vehicle crashes are needed.

February 15, 2013 - PPS Placemaking Blog

With Major Bills Expiring, Can the House Find a Path Forward for Infrastructure Improvements?

Updating the U.S.'s aging infrastructure requires legislative common sense, says Rep. Bill Shuster.

February 15, 2013 - The Washington Post

London Plans Low Emissions Zone; Too Little, Too Late?

With its congestion pricing scheme, London took drastic steps to reduce the number of vehicles entering the city. With a new plan announced by Mayor Boris Johnson, the city is moving to limit the impact of those vehicles on the environment.

February 15, 2013 - Business Green

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.