Transportation

A Library for Bikes

The University of California, Los Angeles has begun operations on a new kind of library -- one that rents bikes out to students.

October 28, 2010 - KPCC

'Livable' Sounds Great, But What is it?

Grist talks with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood about just what exactly "livable communities" are and how the government is planning to create them.

October 28, 2010 - Grist

Small Counties on Edge Over Metro Atlanta Transit Debate

Suggestions of a county seceding from the Atlanta Regional Commission could threaten transportation funding in the region and hurt those towns looking to bow out, according to this column.

October 28, 2010 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Bike Sharing Becomes Part of Transportation Picture

Erik Weber of non-profit EMBARQ argues that bike sharing systems combine the benefits of cycling and public transit and is a sustainable solution for cities.

October 27, 2010 - TheCityFix

Bigger and Faster in China

The opening of a new 220-mph high speed train and the peak energy production at the Three Gorges Dam shows that China's been able to successfully launch major infrastructure project faster than the rest of the world.

October 27, 2010 - MSNBC

New Toronto Mayor Backs Away From Anti-Streetcar Sentiment

Toronto's mayor-elect had campaigned on a platform that included plans to ditch the city's streetcar system. Now he seems to be backing away from that stance.

October 27, 2010 - The Toronto Star

A Bigger Transportation Role for the White House?

The Obama administration has expressed interest in playing a bigger role in transportation and infrastructure policy in the U.S. National Journal asks its panel of experts if it's the right time for the White House to be more involved.

October 27, 2010 - National Journal

MTA Head Jay Walder: One Year Later

Walder’s arrival from London, where he transformed a flagging bus and subway system, brought high hopes for New York’s transit system, says Michael Grynbaum. But is he meeting the expectations of riders and officials?

October 26, 2010 - The New York Times

CA & FL To Win $900 Million & $800 Million For HSR

Awards for high speed rail projects will be announced Oct. 26. CA will receive $902 million for 18 projects from SF to San Diego, the largest in the Central Valley. Florida will get $800 million for the Orlando to Tampa line

October 26, 2010 - Los Angeles Times - L.A. NOW

Moscow Metro Gets a New Map

With the debut of the latest map of the Moscow Metro, TheCityFix's Jonna McKone takes a look at mass transit maps from across the globe and chats with mapmaker Cameron Booth.

October 26, 2010 - TheCityFix

Using Public Data to Make Easy "Next Bus" Displays

At the recent RailVolution conference in Portland, OR, Chris Smith of Portland Transport showed off a cheap and simple display device that uses open source data to display transit times in public spaces. His price? $200.

October 25, 2010 - Steetsblog

Winnipeg's "Bike Battle" Heats Up Mayoral Race

An influx of federal infrastructure dollars -- which needed to be spent quickly for active transportation routes -- has Winnipeg divided over the way the improvements were carried out, heating up the race for Mayor [Video].

October 25, 2010 - CBC - Tha National

Transit and Gentrification

Grist asks, "Does new public transit increase gentrification?" Their conclusion: "Isn't that the point?"

October 25, 2010 - Grist

Atlanta Streetcar Wins Big On Second TIGER Round

Rejected entirely last February for federal funding, planners made two important changes: Scaled down the project considerably, and scaled-up the city's contribution - which says little as their prior contribution had been zero!

October 24, 2010 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Walking into Trouble?

The shortcomings of Walk Score are becoming more apparent as planners look to use it as a measure of walkability, says The Conservative Planner.

October 24, 2010 - Conservative Planner

Celebrating the Subway

The NY Times has created a loving photo essay depicting the long and storied history of the New York Subway.

October 24, 2010 - The New York Times

Time-Based or Distance-Based Transit Fares: Is One Better Than the Other?

Is there a difference between the two most common fare structures in public transit?

October 23, 2010 - TheCityFix

The Aging Driver: A NYT Debate

Prompted by Google's latest invention, the car that drives itself, the NYT sought four different perspectives on how to approach the onslaught of aging baby boomers behind the wheel: An M.I.T. scientist, Rand economist, Yale doctor, and AARP VP.

October 22, 2010 - The New York Times - Opinion - Room For Debate

What Would it Take to Ditch Your Car?

A conversation series from the National Trust for Historic Preservation asks what it would take for people to ditch their cars and rely solely on walking, cycling and public transportation.

October 22, 2010 - Glass House Conversations

Innovative Bike Share System Promises Lower Costs

Cities around the world are eager to launch bike share programs, but many are deterred by high start-up costs. A new system may offer a cheaper alternative.

October 22, 2010 - Next American City

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.

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

Director, Strategy and Research

Greater Baltimore Committee

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.