Transportation

Des Moines, Iowa Moves Forward with "Complete Streets" Policy

Despite opposition from businesses and neighborhood groups, the city of Des Moines, Iowa is intent on implementing a program to make local streets friendly to non-drivers.

September 21, 2009 - Des Moines Register

Searching for a 21st Century Transportation Bill

Transportation officials are talking more and more about drafting a brand new type of transportation bill, one that diverges from the patterns and old thinking of the past. But that's easier said than done.

September 21, 2009 - The New York Times

A Ride on Dubai's New Metro Rail System

The new Dubai Metro rail system recently began operations in the desert city. Christopher Corbett, an American planner who's been living and working in Dubai, takes us on a visual tour.

September 21, 2009 - Christopher Corbett

High-Speed Rail, By The Numbers

America 2050 recently released a report ranking the best intercity corridors for high speed rail investment.

September 21, 2009 - The Infrastructurist

Randal O'Toole Wants to Abolish the DOT

Barring that, he has some eight proposals for the transportation reauthorization bill, including eliminating long-range transportation planning and clean air mandates.

September 20, 2009 - The Cato Institute

Transit Disoriented Development

Arlington, Texas, is home to the Dallas Cowboys' football stadium. But as the largest American city with no public bus or rail lines, getting to the stadium is no easy task.

September 19, 2009 - The Dallas Morning News

Federal Mag-Lev Funding Reignites Debate in Las Vegas

Federal authorities recently announced $45 million in support of plans to construct a magnetic levitation train line between Las Vegas and Southern California, re-igniting a debate over two proposed rail connections.

September 18, 2009 - The Las Vegas Sun

Caltrans vs. Americans with Disabilities Act

Citing the estimated current cost of repairs as a partial reason for noncompliance with federal law, Caltrans heads to court against disability advocacy groups. The agency has failed to maintain or upgrade thousands of curbs and intersections.

September 18, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Personal Rapid Transit for Google?

Advanced Transit Systems is pitching the city of Mountain View on using the PRT system developed for Heathrow Airport to connect the downtown train station, NASA Ames and Shoreline businesses like Google.

September 17, 2009 - Mountain View Voice

Toronto Condo Will Provide Carsharing Instead Of Parking

A 42-storey condo building to be built in Toronto will include parking for nine car-share vehicles and 315 bicycles but no on-site parking spaces for residents’ private automobiles.

September 17, 2009 - Toronto Star

Debate Over Letting Kids Walk To School

The New York Times goes over the debate over whether it is acceptable to let children walk to school nowadays. The topic has many parents expressing mixed feelings about the issue.

September 17, 2009 - The New York Times

Judge Rules Against Efforts to Stall California's High Speed Rail

A judge has overruled challenges from two northern California cities over the siting of the state's proposed high speed rail line. Environmental studies can now move forward.

September 17, 2009 - San Jose Business Journal

SPECIAL REPORT: A Lobbying Free-For-All

Thousands of special interest groups are competing to influence the new transportation bill. Reporter Matthew Lewis sheds light on the most significant players, in an extensive report from the Center for Public Integrity.

September 17, 2009 - Matthew Lewis

DC Goes NU

New Urban News looks at the growing influence of New Urbanists and their ideas in Washington, from the appointment of former CNU director Shelley Poticha to a HUD position to the new Livable Communities Act proposed by Sen. Christopher Dodd.

September 17, 2009 - New Urban News

Jeff Speck reviews the NY Street Design Manual

Suburban Nation co-author Jeff Speck cracks the new New York Street Design Manual and finds a lot of useful material and some that falls short.

September 16, 2009 - Design Observer

Charlotte Light Rail May See Six Year Delay

In an effort to give themselves more time to pay for it, transit officials in Charlotte may delay an 11-mile light rail extension for six years.

September 16, 2009 - The Charlotte Observer

Guaranteeing You Won't Get Stranded By Transit

An often cited reason for not using alternative transportation is the unpredictable: what if I need a car for something unexpected? A non-profit is now offering guaranteed rides to those who ride transit, bike, or walk, up to $100 per year.

September 15, 2009 - San Jose Mercury News

Are Bike Lanes Less Safe?

A new study from the University of Leeds claims that drivers are more careful and leave more room for bikers when there is no bike lane.

September 14, 2009 - WorldChanging

Inside David Byrne's Livable City

Using a mishmash of highlights from cities around the world, musician and artist David Byrne talks about his personal vision of a perfect, livable city.

September 14, 2009 - The Wall Street Journal

New Light Rail Line Ushers Age of Rail Growth in Portland

A new line of Portland's MAX light rail system has opened, prefacing the coming decades of rail growth in the region.

September 13, 2009 - The Oregonian

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.

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

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.