Transportation

Will Nissan Revive The Electric Car?

The automaker has announced plans for a fully-electric vehicle by 2010, and says it wants to lead the industry towards zero-emission vehicles.

May 13, 2008 - The New York Times

A Champion For Cycling In Boston

After personally taking up cycling and seeing the city's poor reputation among cyclists firsthand, Mayor Thomas Menino is leading a campaign to make Boston a more bicycle-friendly city.

May 13, 2008 - The Boston Globe

New Details About Chicago's Bus Rapid Transit System

Chicago's federally funded pilot program will target some of the city's most congested arteries with new bus-rapid transit lines that will feature dedicated lanes, pre-paid boarding, "next bus" signs, and potentially bicycle sharing.

May 13, 2008 - The Chicago Tribune

Is A Prius Greener Than Light Rail?

Light rail vehicles aren't as green one might think, and cities that really want to lower carbon emissions might want to take a harder look at new hybrid-electric buses, argues a recent column.

May 12, 2008 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Americans Turn To Transit For Gas Price Relief

Record gas prices have helped the nation's transit systems attract record numbers of riders. Notably, the biggest increases have occurred in the South and West, where public transportation has traditionally been underutilized.

May 12, 2008 - The Seattle Times

Taking The Politics Out Of Parking

UCLA Professor Donald Shoup has criss-crossed the nation lecturing about the many benefits from market pricing of parking -- but he says too many cities are still making decisions based on politics.

May 12, 2008 - The Toronto Star

A Congestion Pricing Plan For America's Most Famous Bridge

Plans call for raising the tolls on the San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge depending on the time of day, but commuters have so far reacted negatively to the plan, arguing there are too few alternatives.

May 11, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Melbourne, Australia: A Pedestrian Paradise

After a decade spent redesigning the public realm, Melbourne, Australia is a haven of people-oriented development and mobility.

May 11, 2008 - Streetsblog

Learning From London's Congestion Charge

By looking closely at the key factors that helped London's congestion charge succeed, other cities can decipher whether a similar scheme would work in their jurisdictions.

May 10, 2008 - The Toronto Star

Transit Systems Going Green

Transit operators around the country are looking at ways to make taking public transportation even more environmentally friendly.

May 9, 2008 - USA Today

Rise in Bikers Pushes New York Towards Cycle-Friendliness

Biking gets serious in New York, where the city is investing millions in a system of dedicated bike lanes.

May 9, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Streetfilm: A Car Tour of Hollywood with a Pedestrian Advocate

Go for a ride with Los Angeles' leading pedestrian activist and learn about some of the challenges in bringing change to the Car Culture Capital of America.

May 8, 2008 - LA Streetsblog

Is That A Bike In Your Pack?

A number of innovative new bicycle designs were on display at this year's International Bicycle Design Competition, including a bike that folds into its own backpack carrying case -- making it easy to take on public transit.

May 7, 2008 - Gizmag

Bike Lanes Become Parking Spots in New York

New York City has been expanding its stock of bicycle lanes throughout town, but as many cyclists are finding, the lanes that are supposed to be dedicated to bikes only are often overtaken by parked cars.

May 6, 2008 - The New York Times

Mission Possible?

Despite naysayers, Masdar City is moving forward. The goal: to be the world's first modern-day carbon-free city.

May 6, 2008 - National Public Radio

L.A. Transit Chief Calls for Highway Tolls

In this opinion piece, Roger Snoble of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority discusses why the region's mobility would benefit from toll lanes on highways.

May 6, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

New London Mayor Outlines Traffic and Transit Ideas

In this interview from last year, the now newly-elected mayor of London, Boris Johnson, talks about the importance of biking in the city, improving public transportation, and abolishing the city's congestion pricing system.

May 6, 2008 - Streetsblog

Debating L.A.'s Growth, Traffic and Transit

The Transit Coalition's Bart Reed and USC planning Professor Peter Gordon debate transit and traffic in L.A. in this five-part point-counterpoint series.

May 6, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

$3.50 Gasoline Is Changing The Nation's Vehicle Fleet

Small car sales, especially hybrids and subcompacts, are jumping while pickups and SUV sales plummet, contributing to a reduction in gas consumption. The $3.50 gallon mark may have been key to influencing vehicle selection as well as driver behavior.

May 5, 2008 - The New York Times

New Zealand to Re-Nationalize Rail and Ferry Services

In the mid-1980s New Zealand sold its national rail assets to private industry in hopes of developing a profitable, efficient rail network. With deteriorating infrastructure and a desire for greener transit, the government has decided to buy it back.

May 5, 2008 - The New Zealand Herald

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.