Transportation

The 3D-Printed Car: Passion Project Becomes Reality

Light-weight, durable cars are the next frontier of 3D printing. Meet Urbee, the hybrid that, according to its inventor, will be the VW Bug of our century.

February 14, 2013 - Twin Cities

Madison Square Garden and Penn Station In Need of a Divorce

The owners of Madison Square Garden are asking NYC "to renew — in perpetuity — the special permit that allows them to operate an arena atop Penn Station, the country’s busiest transit hub." Michael Kimmelman urges the city to deny their request.

February 14, 2013 - The New York Times

Valentines for City Enthusiasts

If you're looking for the perfect Valentine's Day card for the planning enthusiast in your life, search no further. Five different Valentines show appreciation for cities and the people that live in them.

February 14, 2013 - CEOs For Cities

Cars and Vibrant Cities: Opposites That Don't Attract

New research out of the University of Connecticut shows that making room for parking in cities only leads to more cars, and less people and economic development.

February 14, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Could New York's Bike Gains Disappear Under New Mayor?

Under Mayor Bloomberg's tenure, New York City has made great strides in improving its bicycle infrastructure. But as his final term comes to an end, some fear the next mayor may "end this period of bike-friendly programs and policies."

February 13, 2013 - The New York Times

State of the Union Recap: Energy, Economy, Infrastructure and Environment

In an address heavy on President Obama's domestic agenda for the first year of his second term, issues of importance to planners and urbanists got plenty of play, including: the environment, energy, infrastructure, and the economy.

February 13, 2013 - The Washington Post

Philly RFQ: I-95 Runs Through It

The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation seeks qualifications to plan an open space connection between Center City and its waterfront. I-95, which runs parallel to the Delaware River inside the city, currently cuts off waterfront access.

February 13, 2013 - Next City

Should Rio's Event-Oriented Investment Be Spread More Widely?

As Rio de Janiero prepares for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics, the city is pursuing several "flagship urban renovation and transportation projects." Should this investment extend to the millions living in low-income bedroom communities?

February 12, 2013 - urb.im

Successful Strategies for Building Up the Suburbs

A new report from the Urban Land Institute highlights successful strategies for adapting the infrastructure of America's suburbs to accommodate a densification of development.

February 12, 2013 - Urban Land

Chattanooga

The Little Bike-Share That Could

Chattanooga didn't let its small population, sprawling environment, and weak cycling culture prevent the city from implementing a small-scale bike-share system. Their experience could hold lessons for other small cities that want jump in the saddle.

February 12, 2013 - DC.Streetsblog

D.C.'s new HOT Lanes off to a Slow Start

Recent financial disclosures from the company that operates the Capital Beltway's new high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes in northern Virginia show that the lanes lost $11.3 million in their first six weeks of operation with fewer users than expected.

February 11, 2013 - The Washington Examiner

Amsterdam Electric Car

Dutch Shocked by Challenges of Shifting to Electric Cars

The Netherlands is proceeding with one of the most ambitious programs to increase electric car usage in the world. In a country with seemingly ideal conditions for adoption, and heavy subsidy, sales of such vehicles have been disappointingly low.

February 11, 2013 - The New York Times

Us High Speed Rail System

A Speculative Map Makes the Case for America's Dream Rail System

Despite the best efforts of President Obama, the dream of a countrywide high-speed rail network is still just that. Can a speculative, and tantalizing, map change the debate on high-speed rail in the United States?

February 10, 2013 - The Guardian

Is Bloomberg to Thank for New Yorkers' Increasing Life Expectancies?

New Yorkers can expect to live eight years longer than they could just 20 years ago. Do Mayor Bloomberg's policies and initiatives deserve some credit? A mounting body of evidence ties urban form to human health.

February 10, 2013 - The Guardian

LaHood Replacement Likely to be NTSB Chief Hersman

Deborah Hersman, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, an independent federal agency that investigates crashes in all modes of transportation, particularly aviation, is leading the list of replacements for Transpo Secretary LaHood.

February 9, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal - U.S. News

Using Pictures to Think About Cities

How does each of us perceive the city? Using photos of pedestrians in Seattle crosswalks and the highly walkable Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Chuck Wolfe challenges readers to think for themselves about what they see.

February 8, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

New Documentary Promotes Passenger Trains in U.S.

A new film, Trainsforming America, takes a look at passenger rail in the US from the passengers' perspective.

February 7, 2013 - Transportation Radio

State Gas Tax Attention Turns to Pennsylvania

Continuing our focus on the need to invest in transportation infrastructure and unwillingness to raise state gas taxes, the most recent proposal comes from Gov. Tom Corbett: Reducing the excise tax while increasing the wholesale gas dealer tax.

February 7, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal - U.S. News

Effort to Rethink San Francisco's 'Premier Street' Grows

Planning for the $350 million Better Market Street project, which aims to transform downtown's main thoroughfare into a transit and people-oriented place, has expanded to encompass surrounding streets.

February 6, 2013 - San Francisco Chronicle

For Walkability, the Journey is as Important as the Destination

This Big City reviews a new book by urban designer Julie Campoli that explores the elements crucial to creating walkable places. "Simply having shops, services and venues within walking distance is not enough."

February 6, 2013 - thisbigcity.net

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.