Transportation

Obama Announces Federal Highway Administration Pick

Former Arizona Department of Transportation director Victor M. Mendez has bee chosen by the Obama administration to head the FHA.

April 5, 2009 - The Arizona Republic

Forget Closing the Freeway Loop, Fund Transit

Charlotte politicians have been pushing for the completion of a freeway loop around the city -- a $220 million project. Mary Newsom argues that road funding would better serve the city and the region if it were directed to Charlotte's transit system.

April 4, 2009 - The Naked City

The Next 30 Years of Portland Transit

Portland's Metro authority is mapping out the region's transit plans for the next 30 years, and the public is getting involved.

April 3, 2009 - The Oregonian

The City Makes a Comeback

Nicolai Ouroussof uses four cities--New Orleans, Los Angeles, The Bronx, and Buffalo--as case studies on how America's urban areas, long neglected, can once again be great.

April 2, 2009 - The New York Times

Reclaiming Milwaukee: John Norquist on the Politics of Urbanism

In the second part of this Streetsblog interview, CNU President John Norquist discusses his tenure as mayor of Milwaukee and the politics behind making cities more transit-oriented and walkable.

April 2, 2009 - Streetsblog

Urban Bicycle Theft, a Fact of Life

In this City Room post, J. David Goodman blogs about his observations on bicycle theft in New York City--arguably the bike theft capital of the world.

April 2, 2009 - The New York Times

A Meaner, Greener Recipe for Concrete

Concrete in a Minneapolis bridge replacing that which collapsed in 2007 is made of a concoction that boasts less environmental impact and durability. And it's self-cleaning.

March 31, 2009 - The New York Times

Jerusalem Mayor Wants BRT Finish for Light Rail System

The mayor of Jerusalem is seeking to cancel plans for expanding the city's light rail system in favor of buses, which he is calling a less expensive and more flexible alternative.

March 31, 2009 - The Jerusalem Post

Colorado Stimulus Projects Steer Clear of Sprawl

Despite some states using stimulus money to fund sprawl-inducing projects, Colorado seems to be avoiding projects that encourage exurban growth, according to this review.

March 31, 2009 - The Colorado Independent

Roads On Sale

As business slows down, road construction contractors are slashing their prices. They're offering lower bids to states across the country for road work, leading many transportation officials to foresee more work able to be funded by the stimulus.

March 30, 2009 - The New York Times

Insufficient Funding for High Speed Rail?

The stimulus plan includes $8 billion for investments in high-speed rail, but some critics point out that this isn't nearly enough to bring these plans to fruition.

March 30, 2009 - MSNBC

Brookings to Congress: Integrate Housing and Transportation Planning

In this testimonial to Congress, the Brookings Institution's Robert Puentes argues that housing and transportation are irreversibly linked and that, in the face of the current recession, more integrated planning is needed.

March 29, 2009 - Brookings

Without Rail, Sydney Will Fall Behind Global Cities

Without a proper light rail system, Sydney will get left behind as other global cities progress into a diverse transit future, according to planning expert Peter Newman.

March 29, 2009 - The Sydney Morning Herald

TOD Districts Approved in Honolulu

Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann has signed a law that allows for the creation of transit oriented districts around the city's recently approved regional train system.

March 28, 2009 - Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Funding Street Networks, Not Sprawl: A Conversation With CNU's John Norquist

Streetsblog speaks with CNU President John Norquist about how federal policy can live up to the promises of "sustainable communities" coming from DOT and HUD.

March 28, 2009 - Streetsblog

ARRA Lowers Transit Expenses

With all the 'shovel-ready' talk focused on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, gone unnoticed by many was the huge increase in the transit costs that can be included in the pretax program to assist commuters - $230/month can now be included.

March 28, 2009 - Contra Costa Times

Charging Motorists For Crashes They Cause

Cash-strapped towns in California are resorting to what opponents dub an "accident tax". At-fault, out-of-town drivers involved in a crash are sent a bill for the public services sent to clean-up the incident. Local motorists are spared.

March 27, 2009 - Capitol Weekly

Clash of Subways and Car Culture in Chinese Cities

The question is whether the burrowing machines can outrace China’s growing love affair with the automobile.

March 27, 2009 - The New York Times

Students Give Up Wheels for Their Own Two Feet

This piece from the New York Times looks at a program in Italy the encourages children to walk to school.

March 27, 2009 - The New York Times

Walk Score and Water: How Location Affects Pedestrians

Eric A. Morris takes a look at pedestrian-oriented cities with an economist's eyes.

March 27, 2009 - Freakonomics - NY Times Blog

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

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.