Transportation

London's Transit Network Wins the Gold

Dogged in advance of the Olympics by fears of transit paralysis, Lauren Collins discusses how London's public transportation network has been the surprise hit of the Games.

August 11, 2012 - The New Yorker

What is Delaying the Launch of America's Largest Bike Share Systems?

Although for seemingly different reasons, Portland-based Alta Bicycle Share is at the center of delays in launching highly-anticipated bike share programs in both Chicago and New York.

August 9, 2012 - Chicago Sun-Times

How Sprawl's Zombie Remains Prohibit Lively Places

Zoning codes, street standards, parking regulations, and other hidden determinants of the built environment are like regulatory zombies from the distant past, throwing up barriers in the path of human-scale placemaking, writes Robert Steuteville.

August 9, 2012 - Better! Cities & Towns

Famous in Car Culture, Route 66 Resurfaces as a Destination for Bicyclists

The beauty of a ride along Route 66 can be appreciated as much from behind a set of handlebars as from behind a steering wheel. Sarah Laskow reports on efforts to create U.S. Bike Route 66 as the first national bike route.

August 9, 2012 - Grist

Assessing the Federal Transportation Bill From a Regional and National Perspective

Congressman Earl Blumenauer of Portland, Oregon and LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky discuss the recently signed federal transportation bill, whether it's a sound policy, and how it may impact local government and transportation initiatives.

August 9, 2012 - The Planning Report

Falsified Test Results Call Into Question the Safety of California's Roads and Bridges

Charles Piller reports on the investigation into suspect safety test results for roads and bridges across CA, including the new Bay Bridge, revealing a string of troubling data for which officials and critics are holding Caltrans accountable.

August 8, 2012 - The Sacramento Bee

Chicago Adding Protected Bike Lanes to Appeal to Young Professionals

Art Golab reports on Mayor Rahm Emanuel's plan to make Chicago "the bike friendliest city in the country," which the mayor hopes will attract and keep high tech companies and their workers. The best part? The entire city benefits!

August 8, 2012 - Chicago Sun-Times

SF Affirms Transit-First Policy, Angering Drivers

Rachel Gordon reports on San Francisco's "aggressive plan to install thousands more parking meters and to expand the hours they operate," which has drivers fuming.

August 7, 2012 - San Francisco Chronicle

Miami Offers Cautionary Tale for Those Enchanted by Transportation Tax Referendums

After Atlanta's failed transportation tax referendum, commentators from across the country lamented the region's missed opportunity. Yonah Freemark looks south to Miami, a cautionary example where lofty goals for expanded transit have come up short.

August 7, 2012 - the transport politic

Brooklyn Looks Gift House in the Mouth

Brooklyn Bridge Park's privately funded field house proposal, complete with Olympic-class velodrome, faces criticism over its size, effects on the surrounding neighborhood, and arguments over open space versus space for sports facilities.

August 5, 2012 - The New York Times

Congress Fails to Learn From I-35W Bridge Collapse

Five years after the I-35W bridge collapse, Congress has yet to address the failing condition of America's bridges. There is no consensus between the two parties in Congress on how to remedy the situation, unlike the progress shown in Minnesota.

August 5, 2012 - StarTribune (Minneapolis)

Questioning America's Love Affair with Bus Rapid Transit

The number of BRT systems in the U.S. continues to rise, with new lines opening in cities across the nation. But, a debate has arisen within the transit community over just how much should we rely on such systems.

August 5, 2012 - Governing

318 Votes Enough to Pass Kansas City Streetcar Measure

Of a whopping 555 eligible voters, 318 voted this week to approve a special taxing district to help pay for a downtown Kansas City streetcar, reports David Twiddy.

August 4, 2012 - Kansas City Business Journal

Amtrak Shoots for the Moon, Hopes to Stay in Operation

With a flurry of ambitious, and big ticket, proposals unveiled over the past three weeks, chronically under-budgeted Amtrak is shifting its strategy in the hopes of proving its potential worth.

August 4, 2012 - Bloomberg

Portland Looks to Move Beyond Auto-Centric LOS

After years of signaling its intent, it appears as though the City of Portland is getting serious about ditching its auto-centric level-of-service (LOS) metric with one that evaluates multiple modes, reports Jonathan Maus.

August 3, 2012 - Bike Portland

Paris to the People

Angelique Chrisafis delivers the fantastic news that, after more than four decades of auto dominance, Paris is returning its riverfront to its people in a "pedestrian 'reconquest' of the banks of the Seine."

August 3, 2012 - The Guardian

Where are the Worst Friday Commutes?

Your boss might be interested in this article, which makes the case for working extra long on Fridays to avoid what, in nearly three-quarters of metros across America, is the worst time of the week to drive. Mike Maciag looks at the worst offenders.

August 3, 2012 - Governing

A Fascinating View of New York, From 80 Feet Below

In an article and dramatic photographs and video, The New York Times documents the construction of the city's Second Avenue subway, which has been delayed for more than 80 years and is due to be completed in December 2016.

August 3, 2012 - The New York Times

Defeat of Atlanta Tax Measure is Huge Loss to the Region

In light of the resounding defeat of Atlanta's regional referendum on a transportation sales tax that could have brought 'transformative infrastructure' to the sprawling region, Brookings' Adie Tomer provides a brief post-mortem on the historic vote.

August 3, 2012 - TNR (The New Republic)

Learning to Love Congestion

August 2, 2012 - John Norquist

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.