Transportation

New Generation of New York's Greenstreets Handle Stormwater and Calm Traffic

A look at how the city's sustainability initiative, PlaNYC, is leading to greener streets in more ways than one.

February 17, 2008 - Streetsblog

Ambitious Plans Unlikely, But Noble

This editorial argues that Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser's plans for a regional light rail system are ambitious and not likely to succeed, but they are a powerful example of the froward-thinking mindset more cities need.

February 17, 2008 - The Kansas City Star

Growth Boundary Not Needed

This editorial argues that a growth boundary is not the right way to control suburban growth in Salem, Oregon.

February 17, 2008 - Statesman Journal

L.A. Light Rail Changes Sought Due to Safety Concerns

Citing safety concerns, a grassroots organizer in Los Angeles is lobbying the city to rethink plans for a light rail line that passes by a school. He says the entire line should be built underground.

February 16, 2008 - Los Angeles City Beat

Chicago Mayor Demands Better Transit

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has posed a challenge to the city's transit agency to revamp its system to be cleaner and faster, and also to emphasize the creation of retail shops in train stations.

February 15, 2008 - The Chicago Tribune

One-Way Plans Move Forward in L.A.

Plans are inching forward to convert two of L.A.'s most-used cross-town corridors into mostly one way streets.

February 15, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Exploring the Implications of 'Mode-Neutral' Transportation Funding

Streetsblog parses the jargon and gives the history behind a recent addition to the transportation lexicon.

February 15, 2008 - Streetsblog

New Mexico Critics Say Transportation Projects Suffer as Rail Runs

Criticism of New Mexico's commuter rail system heats up as officials claim Rail Runner starves other transportation projects of funding.

February 15, 2008 - Associated Press

The Quest for Non-Highway Transit Projects

This op-ed, transportation expert and Brookings Institution researcher Rob Puentes discusses the need for the Dulles Metro-rail project and how it has become a pawn in a bureaucratic chess match.

February 14, 2008 - Politico

Opposition Builds Against Nation's Largest Toll Road

The TTC, or Trans-Texas Corridor, is far more than just a 4,000-mile toll road, but an all-encompassing, multi-modal infrastructure network that is desperately needed, according to Texas planners. But citizens are wary and opposition is growing.

February 14, 2008 - The New York Times

Rail Building Booms

Rail networks across the country are expanding -- the first advancement in rail in nearly 100 years.

February 14, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

Video: Amtrak Ridership Soars

This CBS News video interviews passengers, as they are working, aboard Amtrak's Acela between NYC and Washington DC. New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg who has proposed legislation, and Amtrak CEO Alexander Kummant are also interviewed.

February 14, 2008 - CBS News

L.A. May Bring Streetcar Back

Public officials in Los Angeles are floating ideas to bring back its historic downtown streetcar.

February 13, 2008 - L.A. Downtown News

Houston Should Consider Free Rides

This editorial from the Houston Chronicle argues for doing away with fares for public transit.

February 13, 2008 - The Houston Chronicle

Tucson Looks at Bike Sharing

Bike sharing programs are being adopted by city organizations and private firms in Tucson.

February 13, 2008 - Associated Press

Housing of the Future is Transit-Oriented

As transit oriented development gains ground in cities across the country, it is increasingly seen as the model for the future of multi-family housing.

February 13, 2008 - ArchNewsNow

Europe's Next Great Bicycling City

London is planning a new "superhighway" bicycle network that will help transform it into one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world.

February 12, 2008 - The Guardian

As D.C.-Dulles Rail Plans Stumble, BRT Advocates Jump In

As federal funding for the Washington D.C.-Dulles rail line teeters on the edge, proponents of bus rapid transit are taking the opportunity to tout BRT as the wiser and more affordable transit solution.

February 12, 2008 - The Washington Post

New Women-Only Buses Praised in Mexico City

The women-only buses running in Mexico City have been warmly welcomed by the city's female commuters.

February 12, 2008 - The New York Times

Transit Center May Not Be as Pedestrian-Oriented as Planned

A transit center proposed for the East San Francisco city of Hercules is being criticized for moving away from its original plans for a pedestrian-oriented layout.

February 12, 2008 - The Contra Costa Times

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.