Transportation

The Importance of Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure

Pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure is a part of transportation, whether some elected officials like it or not. In this piece from Citiwire, Neal Peirce writes that this fact is becoming increasingly clear.

July 19, 2009 - Citiwire

How Transferable is Holland's Bike Culture?

Cyclists hear a lot about how much better the biking is in Europe. The Brooklyn Paper takes a look at why, and whether or not the lessons of Amsterdam are applicable in the US.

July 19, 2009 - The Brooklyn Paper

How Does Fuel Fuel American Lifestyles?

Americans will be forced to change their lifestyles as fuel prices rise. NPR's "Talk of the Nation" talks to author Chris Steiner about the good that might result.

July 19, 2009 - National Public Radio

Taking Tuk-Tuk to Task

Tuk-tuks are mechanized rickshaws - a cheaper alternative to taxis - that can be found throughout the developing world, from Latin America to Africa to southeast Asia and India. Environmental think-tank Enviu is trying to reduce rickshaw emissions.

July 18, 2009 - New York Times

Denver to El Paso High-Speed Rail?

Colorado, Arizona and Texas have come together to apply for a $5m grant to research a possible high-speed rail link connecting Denver, Albuquerque, and El Paso.

July 18, 2009 - Transport Politic

More Ped Plazas On The Way

With the successful launch of the 17th St. park, San Francsico's "Pavement to Parks" project is moving to its next location, the corner of Guerrero and San Jose. Activist Gillian Gillett has been pushing for something to happen there for years.

July 18, 2009 - Streetsblog

Randal O'Toole: The Man, The Contrarian

In the wake of his appearance on Capitol Hill, The New York Times delves into what makes Randal O'Toole tick.

July 17, 2009 - The New York Times

A Bus-Powering, Rider-Paying Bike Share System

A new city bike sharing design concept not only gives people access to bikes, but also provides power for the local bus system and even pays riders to do it.

July 16, 2009 - The Christian Science Monitor

London Transit Guru Moves to New York's MTA

An American-born transit planner who help usher in congestion pricing and smart transit card technology in London has been nominated to chair New York's transit system.

July 16, 2009 - The New York Times

Canada Finds Electric Car Infrastructure Already In Place

In the cold climes of Canada, parking lots come equipped with 120-volt outlets to keep engine blocks warm. Planners see these outlets as a stepping stone to a future of electric cars for the country.

July 16, 2009 - The Vancouver Sun

LaHood on the Stimulus Package

Speaking today at the Center for National Policy in D.C., Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood touted the success of the ARRA stimulus package and answered questions on transportation bill reauthorization and other topics.

July 15, 2009 - TheCityFix

Illinois Approves $31 Billion Construction Plan

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed into law a bill that will bring about $31 billion worth of road, transit and school construction projects.

July 15, 2009 - Chicago Tribune

Combining Trails and Transit

Cities can expand transit service areas by providing convenient access by bike.

July 15, 2009 - City Parks Blog

Wetland-Clearing Highway Project on List for Texas Stimulus

A 14-mile road segment that would connect two highways in Texas is a contender for stimulus funding in the state. But it would also cause the removal of at least 23 acres of wetlands. Environmentalists are upset the proposal is being considered.

July 15, 2009 - The Houston Chronicle

Chattanooga Turns To Bicycles To Help Homeless

Bicycles are being collected and distributed to Chattanooga's homeless in an attempt to improve their quality of life.

July 15, 2009 - Chattanooga Times Free Press

Bridge Lane Closed for Cyclists

Vancouver, B.C. is experimenting with closing one lane of the Burrard Bridge to traffic to add a bike lane. Cheryl Chan reports from Day 1 of the lane closure. Was traffic affected?

July 14, 2009 - The Province

Why High Speed Rail Makes Sense for Alberta

This op-ed piece in the Globe and Mail argues that plans for a high-speed rail link between the Albertan cities of Calgary and Edmonton makes eminent sense -- at least, according to the thinking of Richard Florida and colleagues.

July 14, 2009 - The Globe and Mail

New Orleans Debates Highway To Boulevard Project

According to a new draft master plan, the Clairborne Expressway may be the next freeway to join the nation's growing highway to boulevard movement.

July 13, 2009 - The Times-Picayune

Western States Trying to Get on the High Speed Rail Bandwagon

Officials in New Mexico, Colorado and Texas are pooling efforts to try to secure federal funding for a high speed rail link between their urban areas.

July 13, 2009 - The Houston Chronicle

Don't Fall in Love with Light Rail Yet

Light rail is seen as a golden opportunity to revive inner cities. Not so fast, argues Alan Hoffman.

July 13, 2009 - Citiwire

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.