Transportation

America's Top Transportation Follies and Triumphs

Based on five criteria, the Sierra Club has evaluated “the 50 best and worst transportation projects” in the nation, shining light on apparent fiascoes in the making, as well as progressive achievements.

December 14, 2012 - D.C. Streesblog

Can a Soccer Tournament Revive Cities Across Europe?

Henry Grabar celebrates the recent decision by UEFA, European soccer's governing body, to hold their 2020 tournament in cities across the continent, rather than in one or two countries as has been the tradition.

December 13, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

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Toll Roads: Build It and They May Not Come

Two southern CA toll roads are so severely underperforming that the state treasurer is investigating whether the bondholders can be paid their interest. The San Joaquin Hills toll road's bonds are rated at junk status. Widening I-5 & 405 didn't help.

December 13, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

Connecticut Seeks to Leverage Transit to Build Roads

With two major transit lines in the pipeline, and several billion dollars of road, bridge, and transit repair and replacement projects planned for the future, Connecticut officials are counting on transit-oriented development to help raise revenue.

December 12, 2012 - The Hartford Courant

Five Ways to Put a Smile on a Cyclist's Face

With cycling rates increasing across America, it's probably a safe bet that you know and care for a bicyclist who would be ecstatic to receive one of Fast Company's "safe, stylish, and fun" gift ideas this holiday season.

December 12, 2012 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Screened Subway Platforms Ruled-Out for NYC

The front page photo, "Doomed" on the New York Post on Dec. 4 of pushed subway rider, Ki Suk Han attempting to lift himself from the tracks as a train approaches has captivated many - yet a proposal to prevent it from repeating it is doomed as well.

December 12, 2012 - Capital New York

Traffic Deaths at Historic Lows; Ped and Bike Fatalities Increasing

New data released this week shows that automobile fatalities dropped last year to the lowest level in 62 years. At the same time, deaths of bicyclists, pedestrians, motorcycle riders and big-rig truck drivers increased, reports Ashley Halsey III.

December 11, 2012 - The Washington Post

Connected Commuters Are Happy Commuters

A new study from the New Cities Foundation suggests that those of us who use transit apps such as Waze and Roadify have shorter and more pleasant commutes.

December 11, 2012 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Public Transit Use Continues to Rise

The American Public Transportation Association has released a new report showing that more people nationwide are taking buses and trains. Amid high has prices, young students and struggling families are being credited with the jump.

December 11, 2012 - The Los Angeles Times

How Copenhageners Got Back On Their Bikes

Copenhagen wasn't always the "pedaler’s paradise" that it is today. Through the early twentieth century the Danish capital embraced the bike, but after WWII it experimented with American style development. How did the city get back on track?

December 10, 2012 - Grid Chicago

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Top 10 Books - 2013

Planetizen is pleased to release its eleventh annual list of the ten best books in urban planning, design and development published in 2012.

December 10, 2012 - Abhijeet Chavan

Parking App Heads to the Suburbs

Does your town have sensors embedded in the pavement of parking stalls that signal when one becomes available? D.C. and N.Y.C. do - and now Streetline's parking app will allow motorists in San Mateo, pop. 97K and San Carlos, pop. 28K to find parking.

December 10, 2012 - The (San Mateo County) Daily Journal

San Diego's Transit Future Looking Brighter

With two transit-friendly figures elected to the highest posts in San Diego's government and transit advocates having scored a major court victory in upending the region's transportation plan, the city's transit future is looking bright.

December 10, 2012 - Voice of San Diego

After Long Road, Bike-Share Gets Boost in Philly

The bike-share bandwagon is getting awfully full! On Friday came news that Mayor Nutter will ask Philadelphia's city council for $3 million to help fund a city-wide bike-share program that could hit the streets by early 2014.

December 10, 2012 - Philadelphia Inquirer -- Philly.com

China's Cities Hold the Key to the World's Future

In a globalized world, China's economic, environmental and urban development has implications for us all, posits Henry M. Paulson Jr. The problems the country faces, and any potential solutions, revolve around its approach to urbanization.

December 9, 2012 - The New York Times

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NYC Bike-Share Gets Delayed Again

On Friday, New York City announced yet another postponement for the launch of its long-awaited bike-share program. While faulty software was reportedly the cause for the initial delay, Superstorm Sandy can be blamed for the most recent problems.

December 8, 2012 - The New York Times

Obama Doubles Down on High-Speed Rail

Undaunted by Republican opposition, public setbacks, and budgetary constraints, President Obama plans to forge ahead with his ambitious plan to develop high-speed rail systems across the U.S.

December 7, 2012 - The Washington Post

Invest in Public Transit to Slow Climate Change

Reflecting on the significance and impact of Superstorm Sandy, Bill McKibben and Lawrence J. Hanley propose a 3-step process focused on mass transit that America should pursue to promote community development, public health and the environment.

December 7, 2012 - The Huffington Post

Santa Cruz cargo bike ride

Bicyclists, Not Drivers, are the Better Consumers

Familiar with the perception that bicyclists are generally kids with no money and too much time? Emily Badger discusses the findings of a study that shows riders out-consume drivers over the course of a month for all businesses except grocery stores.

December 7, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

CA Dems Whittle Away at Landmark Property Tax Cap

For the first time since 1933, one party has 'supermajority' (greater than 2/3) control of CA's assembly and senate, and the governor's seat, except this time it's the Democrats. Legislators have their eyes on loosening the Proposition 13 leash.

December 5, 2012 - San Francisco Chronicle

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.