Transportation

Food Systems Planning: The Next Step in NYC's Public Health Crusade

Now that Mayor Bloomberg has had his say in what New Yorkers drink, Alan Brake argues it's time for the next mayor and his partner in Albany to focus on what they eat, by devising a plan to link New York's upstate farms with its downstate markets.

October 24, 2012 - The Architect's Newspaper

Giving the Informal Economy a Voice in Planning Processes

In the first of a new series of articles tackling urban livelihoods, Caroline Skinner explains why the informal workforce matters, and offers six strategies for developing more inclusive urban planning processes.

October 24, 2012 - The Global Urbanist

7 Visions for the Accessible City of the Future

With the portion of American's living in cities set to rise to 90 percent by 2050, a new set of accessibility issues will confront the nation's disabled and aging. Metropolis invited 7 teams of designers to develop solutions to meet this challenge.

October 24, 2012 - Metropolis

Absent From Political Debate: Transportation Infrastructure

National Journal engaged several experts on the state of transportation infrastructure. Both Ken Orski and Rep. Earl Blumenhauer examine different aspects of the 'Infrastructure Deficit". What can we expect to see in the next four years?

October 24, 2012 - National Journal

Two Opinions on NYC's Proposed Subway Fare Increase

Editorializing on the expected fare increase for New York City's 8.5 million transit riders, the Times suggests ways to soften the blow. Writing in response, the president of the Citizens Budget Commission suggests looking toward motorists.

October 23, 2012 - The New York Times - Opinion

New Study Supports Advocates of Bike Infrastructure

Emily Badger discusses new research showing that dedicated bike infrastructure has a demonstrated impact on reducing the risk of injury for cyclists.

October 23, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

West Coast's Tallest Building Gets Approved

Last week the San Francisco Planning Commission gave final approval for the 1,070-foot Transbay Transit Center tower, reports Mike Billings.

October 22, 2012 - The San Francisco Examiner

Midwest Gets Taste Of High(er) Speed Rail

The speedometer on the Chicago to St. Louis train hit 110 mph - and stayed there for five minutes, but it was enough to elevate the spirits of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and the other dignitaries on-board. Normal speeds top out at 79 mph.

October 22, 2012 - The Huffington Post

Miami’s Dubious Distinction: Least Affordable City for the Middle Class

Russian oligarchs and Brazilian expats may be its most prominent residents, but Miami does have a middle-class. But a new study shows they aren't exactly thriving. In fact, Miami is the toughest city in the nation to be a middle-class resident.

October 22, 2012 - New Times Miami Blog

Scrutiny of Electric Vehicles Follows Bankruptcy of Subsidized Battery Manufacturer

Electric-car-battery manufacturer A123 Systems received $249 million in federal grants. It filed for bankruptcy on Oct. 16, prompting Bloomberg reporter Angela Greiling Keane to look at the progress of President Obama's goal of 1 million EVs by 2015

October 19, 2012 - San Francisco Chronicle

What Happens When Transit Doesn't Bring Expected Development

Just outside of D.C., the Capitol Heights Metro station sits among empty parcels with brown grass and tall weeds, as the economic development that was to accompany the station never materialized. Will a proposed Wall-Mart come to the area's rescue?

October 18, 2012 - The Washington Post

Could Tax Reform Prevent Gentrifying Effects of TOD?

Jeff Jamawat looks at the promise of a nuanced approach to tax reform being tested in 17 local jurisdictions in Pennsylvania to head off the spiral of rising prices and displacement instigated by the construction of transit infrastructure.

October 18, 2012 - Smart Growth Network: National Conversation Blog

Parklets for the Suburbs?

Sustainable real estate developer, A-P Hurd asks some fundamental questions about the on-street parking in her Seattle neighborhood and concludes that residents should be able to do more than park cars with the spots in front of their homes.

October 17, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Will Chicago Back Congestion-Pricing Plans?

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) has put forth an ambitious congestion-pricing plan for new highway lanes planned on six major roadways across the Chicago metro area in the hopes of building political and public support.

October 17, 2012 - Chicago Tribune

Plans for Baltimore Bike-Share Hit the Brakes

Unable to secure enough local sponsorship to move forward with implementation, bike-sharing company B-Cycle has abandoned plans to build Baltimore's first bike-sharing program, reports Ron Cassie.

October 17, 2012 - Baltimore Magazine

Transit-Oriented Town Center in L.A. Plans Auto Dealership as an Anchor

In today's news of the ironic, and weird, an L.A. car dealer is developing a mixed-use "town center" adjacent to a future light rail station that will be anchored by their auto showrooms. The twist - they want to get people out of their cars.

October 16, 2012 - SantaMonicaPatch

Atlanta's Ambitious BeltLine Takes Shape

Despite recent controversy that claimed the BeltLine Inc’s president, when the 2.25-mile Eastside Trail opens this week, Atlanta's long-awaited Beltline will take its “most significant step forward yet,” reports Bill Torpy.

October 15, 2012 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Feds Award Nearly $1 Billion to SF's Embattled Central Subway Project

The SF Municipal Transportation Agency's Central Subway project, opposed by transit advocacy group SaveMuni, received a Full Funding Grant Agreement from FTA that dedicates $942.2 million to the Caltrain to Chinatown extension of the 'T' LRT line.

October 15, 2012 - RT&S (Railway Track & Structures)

Gas Price Spike Was Uniquely Californian

During the first week of Oct, gas prices were falling through much of the country while spiking an unprecedented 50 cents in CA due to some unique circumstances - bad air requiring a unique fuel blend and a 'perfect storm' of refinery mishaps.

October 14, 2012 - San Jose Mercury News

Building a Better Parking Garage

Mark Byrnes has collected images of 16 innovative parking garages whose inspirational designs prove that accommodating the automobile doesn't necessarily mean neglecting the neighborhood.

October 13, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

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.