Transportation

Southern California Landscape Proves the Golden Rule

The old saying is that he who has the gold, rules. The fact that Orange County motorists have a toll road carving through a magnificent canyon while rich folks in Malibu get to live next to scenic hillsides proves the rule, writes Bill Fulton.

April 16, 2009 - California Planning & Development Report

LA's Density Bonuses Thrown Out

A judge has ruled against parts of SB 1818, a density bonus law that allows taller building limits in exchange for affordable housing units.

April 15, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Clamoring for Highway Funds

States ready to go forward with highway projects are seeing equally eager construction companies put in bids as low as 50% below budget, and far ahead of schedule.

April 15, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Flexibility and Integrity

Portland urban designer Arun Jain has released his Urban Design Framework, a vision that requires planners to give themselves more leeway "without giving up core values."

April 15, 2009 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Inside a 20-Minute City

This piece from Worldchanging looks at the Seattle-area city of Ballard. It's a "20-minute city", where people can get to practically everything they'd want or need to within a 20-minute walk.

April 14, 2009 - WorldChanging

Obama Advisor on the State of Transportation

GOOD Magazine talks with Joseph M. Sussman, an external adviser to the Department of Transportation and professor at MIT, about high-speed rail, intelligent transportation systems, and more.

April 14, 2009 - GOOD Magazine

Studying the Health Effects of Living Near Freeways

Researchers are teaming up with Boston community members to study how living close to freeways can be harmful to residents' health.

April 14, 2009 - The Boston Globe

2,000 Transportation Projects

That's how many projects the Obama administration claims to have launched with the stimulus money, countering detractors who argued that the funding couldn't be spent fast enough to have an impact.

April 13, 2009 - The Washington Post

CA High Speed Rail Authority's Hopes Could Be Dashed

While the HSR Authority hopes to get at least half of the $8 billion ARRA funding, it has yet to market any of the $10 billion in bonds passed by the voters because of its budget problems. Criticism abounds.

April 13, 2009 - Sacramento Bee

Streetcars and Commuter Rail Get Official in Fort Worth

A streetcar system and commuter rail line are now officially part of a regional plan for the Fort Worth area.

April 13, 2009 - Fort Worth Star-Telegram

The Faults and Dismal Future of Dubai

Christopher Hume tours Dubai, and though he finds some redeeming qualities, the overall impression is that the fantastical city is a "ruin-in-waiting".

April 11, 2009 - The Toronto Star

Thirteen Strategies for Sustainability

How is Kansas City to make itself sustainable? This blog offers 13 strategies, one posted a day, from experts in different fields.

April 11, 2009 - One KC Voice

D.C. Stadium Bill is Really TOD Bill in Disguise

This column argues that legislation to build a new stadium for Washington D.C.'s professional soccer team is also a move to jumpstart development around many of the area's transit stations.

April 11, 2009 - The Gazette

Friday Funny: Moscow Dogs Commute via Subway

Dogs in Moscow have learned to ride the subway to and from "work".

April 10, 2009 - English Russia

Boston's Transportation Choices Studied

A draft Environmental Impact Report is now underway to study the proposed routes and power sources for rail extensions south of Boston. Considerations include ridership, wetlands, smart growth benefits, and future development around train stations.

April 10, 2009 - The Boston Globe

Whither Public Transit?

With a history of paltry funding, decaying infrastructure and soaring demand, the state of public transit in the United States is "perilous."

April 10, 2009 - In These Times

States Enjoying Lower Bids for Construction Projects

The recession is causing construction contractors to branch out -- from subdivisions to road projects. And the market is now flooded, giving state more and lower bids to choose from.

April 10, 2009 - The Washington Post

CO Springs to Bring Downtown Back to Life

Colorado Springs planners have put two ambitious plans on the table: The first, a brand new Master Plan for its downtown, and the second, a form-based code.

April 10, 2009 - Colorado Springs Gazette

How to Rekindle America's Love Affair with the Car

The Daily Show's resident "problem solver" John Hodgman offers his advice on renewing America's "love affair with the car": eliminate public transit and bomb foreign auto makers. [Video]

April 9, 2009 - The Daily Show

Transportation Reauthorzation Bill Is MAP-21

"Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century", or MAP-21, follows the path of predecessors SAFETEA-LU, TEA -21, and ISTEA. In this press release by the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, Chairman Barbara Boxer of CA launches the bill.

April 9, 2009 - U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works

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.