Transportation

Tear Down the Freeway, Or Not?

Using a federal grant, New York City is studying the effects of a highway teardown not just on transportation but on housing, jobs, park access and quality of life.

July 22, 2011 - Streetsblog

New Report Evaluates Transportation Policies for Healthier Communities

Major study by the Partnership for Prevention identifies numerous ways to reduce air pollution, increase physical fitness and reduce traffic risk.

July 22, 2011 - Transportation and Health: Policy Interventions for Safer

NY MTA Chief Resigns, Takes Job In Hong Kong

The head of the New York MTA, Jay Walder, is leaving to take charge of a private transportation company in Hong Kong.

July 22, 2011 - The New York Times

If High-Speed Rail is Made, Will Riders Come?

Dan Leavitt, California High-Speed Rail Authority’s deputy director, says Calif. can either be at the whim of 'market-driven sprawl,' or high-speed rail can revolutionize the state. Yet, arguments for getting people to ride rail are contentious.

July 21, 2011 - The New York Times

Toronto's Budget-Cutting Targets Transit

Consultants hired by the City of Toronto are recommending dramatic cuts to public transit, including contracting out some routes and eliminating a late-night bus service popular with shift workers.

July 21, 2011 - The Globe and Mail

Biking on the Rise in New Orleans

Bicycle use has increased in many parts of New Orleans, thanks to new bike lanes.

July 21, 2011 - Metropolis

U.S. Still Missing Bike Lessons from Europe

Bicycling is growing in popularity in the U.S., but it still isn't considered a serious form of transportation as it is in Europe, according to this piece from Yale Environment 360.

July 21, 2011 - Yale Environment 360

Community Gathers Around Guerrilla Coffee Table

Los Angeles Designer Julie Kim thinks the city is missing out on an opportunity at public transit hubs to create an environment that promotes interaction. So, Kim spruces up a bus stop with a coffee table and flowers and video records the results.

July 20, 2011 - GOOD Magazine

Cities Cut Parking Supply to Discourage Driving

Cities plan to cut off individual parking garages is a gamble, says Josie Garthwaite in National Geographic -- yet making it impossible to park is one of the few yet most effective tools that reduces driving.

July 20, 2011 - National Geographic

Transforming Parking into TOD at a Long Island Train Station

This NYT editorial endorses the effort of a Long Island town supervisor to transform the Ronkonkoma LIRR station, one of the busiest stations on the nation's busiest commuter line from a sea of parking into a vibrant TOD with a convention center.

July 20, 2011 - The New York Times - Editorial

High Tech Approach To Decongesting Midtown Manhattan

Using remote sensing, GPS technology and other high-tech strategies, city traffic planners aim to clear Midtown's infamous traffic problems - from Queens. The $1.6 million investment will tackle a problem costing the city about $13 billion a year.

July 20, 2011 - New York Post

Bridge Planned Between Egypt and Saudi Arabia

A proposed 20-mile bridge would span the Red Sea to connect Egypt and Saudi Arabia -- connecting Arab states and reducing reliance on land passage through Israel.

July 20, 2011 - Der Spiegel

Making 'Carmageddon' a Weekend Habit

"Carmageddon" was a bust, yet for mass transit advocates it was an opportunity to build momentum toward a trend of more car-less days, the Los Angeles Times reports.

July 19, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

A More Entertaining Transit Hub

In an effort to improve the visitor experience and boost business, operators of a busy transit hub in Boston are bringing in performers and various activities to entertain people waiting and convince others to linger longer.

July 19, 2011 - The Boston Globe

Redesign Near Train Station to Create New Gateway in Philadelphia

Plans are emerging to revamp the public space surrounding Philadelphia's 30th Street train station to create a more vibrant way to enter the city.

July 19, 2011 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Separated Bike Lanes Will Get More Women on Bikes

Proportionally more women bike on New York City streets with protected bike lanes than not at all, and turning a painted lane into a protected one caused female ridership to soar.

July 18, 2011 - Streetsblog

The Carmageddon Effect

Carmageddon failed to live up to the hype, as Los Angelenos opted to leave their cars in the garage. As the hysteria fades, Planetizen's Tim Halbur asks: is there a real story here about good transportation planning?

July 18, 2011 - Tim Halbur

Railroads Made Atlantic City a Reality

As a Northeast Corridor connection to Atlantic City goes beyond the planning stage, historian Dennis Niceler reminds locals that the existed solely because of the railroads.

July 18, 2011 - The Press of Atlantic City

More In My Back Yard

MIMBYs? Seattle plans to build a one-story light-rail station in the Roosevelt neighborhood's commercial district, but locals are fighting for greater density and reducing zoning restrictions on the site.

July 18, 2011 - Seattle Post-Intelligencer

VMT Has Peaked In Cities, Says New Report

An Australian study indicates that in large cities in Europe, North America and Australia, driving has 'peaked' largely due to congestion causing a limit to commuter's travel, known as the Marchetti wall.

July 18, 2011 - Fast Company

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.