Transportation
Legendary Map Designer Disses Competition
At a recent talk at the New York City Transit Museum, Massimo Vignelli, designer of the iconic 1972 NYC subway map, discussed his opinions of the subway maps that preceded and followed his groundbreaking design.
L.A. Bike-Share to Launch in April
This week, Southern California-based Bike Nation, a new player in the bike sharing business that has pledged $16 million toward L.A.'s first bike-share network, announced that the system will launch in April, just a year after it was announced.
Light Rail Seen as Route to 'Big City' Status for Ottawa
By unanimous vote, Ottawa's city council approved the contract to build a $2.1 billion light rail system for the Canadian capital this week, reports David Reevely. The vote comes after the failure of a similarly bold rail plan approved six years ago.
2012: A Banner Year for L.A.'s Pedestrians
Will 2012 be remembered as the year people realized that everyone walks in L.A.? Alissa Walker reviews the 12 events from the past year that demonstrate a changing perspective towards the city's pedestrians.
Biking to Work is a Slam Dunk
Lance Armstrong may no longer be the first athlete Americans associate with bicycle riding; and that may be a good thing after the last year he's had. This week, NBA MVP LeBron James's bicycle commute became national news.
Tempe Better for Bikes Than Portland?
This week, the website Walk Score announced the results of its expanded Bike Score evaluation. With more than double the amount of cities than initially ranked, the usual favorites (Minneapolis, Portland), were joined by some surprises.
Marking an 'Exciting Day' for Detroit's Development
This week Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed a series of bills passed during the State Legislature's recent lame-duck session that will have long-term impacts on the revival of Detroit and its suburbs, reports Kathleen Gray.
The Twin Cities's Worst Planning Mistakes
Tired of all those year end "Best of" lists? This should cleanse your palate. Marlys Harris has gathered a list of the nine worst decisions made by planners in the history of the Twin Cities.
Has L.A. Solved Its Most Important Transit Conundrum?
It's one of those news items that makes you ask: "Duh, what took you so long?" Los Angeles World Airports and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority are finally working together to identify how to connect LAX with the city's transit system.
Toronto's Crumbling Elevated Expressway: Repair or Remove?
As the full extent of the instability of Toronto's elevated Gardiner Expressway, and the city's apparent cover-up of the information, becomes clear, the new chief planner has weighed in on what the priorities should be in addressing the problem.
Should Maine Spend More on its Cities?
70 percent of Maine's economic activity and 90 percent of its population growth over the last decade took place in three metro areas. So why is the state "giving money to ‘well-off’ suburbs at expense of urban areas?" Matthew Stone investigates.
How the World Bank Helped Create the World's Deadliest Road
It doesn't traverse a deep gorge or curve around a mountainside, so what makes the N2 in Bangladesh one of the world's deadliest highways? Annie Kelly explains.
Motorists Save With Efficient Parking Pricing
Contrary to many motorists' fears, San Francisco's demand-based parking pricing has reduced overall average hourly rates and ticket citations.
Los Angeles Imports 'Continental' Crosswalks
In what is either a hopeful sign of the increasing prominence of the pedestrian, or a depressing comment on existing level of pedestrian safety, the installation of a crosswalk in downtown Los Angeles this week was big news.
The Promise and Perils of Modern Disaster Communications
During and after Sandy, transportation workers had the responsibility of informing riders of changing conditions and schedules. Ray Rivera compares the different communication approaches of New Jersey Transit and the Long Island Rail Road.
Planning for Movement Chokes Urban Health
In his latest entry in KCET's "Laws That Shaped LA" Series, Jeremy Rosenberg looks at the impact that the Functional Classification system has had on the urban form of Los Angeles and cities throughout the country since its adoption in 1973.
Property Owners Try to Block Downtown L.A. Subway Construction
Fearing years of costly disruption from the construction of a key link connecting the region's rail systems, some of downtown L.A.'s largest property owners are suing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Chicago's Bicyclists Get Protection With Innovative New Lanes
Last week Chicago became the envy of America's urban biking advocates when it opened the city's first two-way protected bike lanes in the heart of the Loop, reports Lori Rotenberk.
Blumenauer Proposes VMT Legislation
Vehicle-Miles-Traveled (VMT) fees have been ruled out by the president, and while studied and even implemented (on a trial basis) at the state level, have been hampered by the privacy issue. But Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer is not dissuaded.
Under Pressure, EPA Tightens Soot Standard
In what could be viewed as a classic environmentalist vs. business showdown, the EPA tightened by 20% the annual standard for soot over the objection of industry and some in Congress who fear it will dampen economic growth.
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
