Transportation

A New Bold Plan For Boston

With the debut of a new region plan -- emphasizing town centers, more density, increased transit usage, and reduced water and energy consumption -- Boston area planners have their work cut out for them.

May 2, 2007 - The Boston Globe

Arguing The Merits Of A Consolidated Road Agency

City leaders eager for more control have renewed a debate over Boise's consolidated countywide highway district -- which supporters argue provide better service and saves taxpayers money.

May 2, 2007 - The (Boise) Idaho Statesman

Good Roads Are Good For The Environment

A European road organization has published a report showing that improved roads lead to a reduced carbon footprint and environmental benefits, following a detailed study by an independent Norwegian research group showing the same result.

May 2, 2007 - European Union Road Federation (ERF) - IRF Brussels Programme Centre

Fuel Cell Bus Fleet Plan Unveiled For British Columbia

Officials in British Columbia have announced plans to create the world's first fleet of buses powered by fuel cells. The fleet would debut in the city of Whistler by the 2010 winter Olympics.

May 2, 2007 - The Globe and Mail

Should Dangerous Cargo Be Routed Around Cities?

Some security experts are using the recent collapse of a Bay Area bridge due to an overturned oil tanker to highlight the dangers of routing hazardous cargo through cities.

May 1, 2007 - The Christian Science Monitor

Politicians Propose Mag-Lev In Scotland

Politicians in Scotland are trying to gather support for a plan to build a high-speed magnetic levitation train between the country's two biggest cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh. But opponents worry the proposal would hinder other rail development.

May 1, 2007 - BBC

Transport Privatization: Full Speed Ahead

Investors are lining up to bid on American's transportation infrastructure, with many public sector managers happy to solve their budget woes.

April 30, 2007 - MSNBC

Will Washington D.C. Follow NYC's Lead Towards Congestion Tax?

D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty recently stated his desire to investigate the feasibility of a congestion tax, sparking immediate debate about the possible effects on the region.

April 30, 2007 - The Washington Post

Schwarzenegger To Slash California Bullet Train Funding

California governor cites other pressing transportation needs.

April 30, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

Will Reduced Transit Fares Bring Back Bus Riders?

While San Jose's light rail ridership has soared, its bus ridership has plummeted over 33% in six years. In an unprecedented effort to restore ridership, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has decreased day and monthly pass prices.

April 30, 2007 - San Jose Mercury News

Mexican President Proposes Road Privatization

Despite a crumbling toll road that many call a failure, Mexican President Felipe Calderón is pushing measures that would create numerous toll roads in the country. With little money to invest in infrastructure, his plans rely on privatization.

April 30, 2007 - Los Angeles Times via The Seattle Times

Why Only The Private Sector Can Save Amtrak

A progressive -- if cynical -- argument for privatizing Amtrak: only private interests can borrow the necessary capital to upgrade it, and have the clout necessary to lobby Congress to support the service adequately.

April 29, 2007 - Truthout

Miami Moves Closer To Metrorail Expansion

Though funding is not ensured, the Miami-Dade Transit Authority has received permission from the federal government to start acquiring land for its 9.5 mile Metrorail line expansion.

April 28, 2007 - The Miami Herald

The Political Evolution of San Francisco's Bicycling Community

From monthly 'Critical Mass' bike rides to growing influence on city policy, SF cyclists recount their numerous victories and recent setbacks.

April 28, 2007 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Friday Funny: How The Segway 'Revolutionized American Life'

It's been six years since the creation of the Segway personal transporter, and this talk show from The Onion News Network looks at the phenomenon that has changed the way we live our lives.

April 27, 2007 - The Onion News Network

As Seattle Transit Ridership Increases, Officials Look To Expand

Rising gas prices have caused a noticeable increase in public transit ridership in Seattle. The rising demand has fueled transit officials to push for service expansion.

April 27, 2007 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Focusing On Fuels As Opposed To Auto Dependency

Two Bay Area 'voices' illustrate that lowering carbon content of fuel and increasing its efficiency hardly gets at the root of the transportation-global warming problem -- auto dependency, and offer three strategies to solve it.

April 27, 2007 - World Changing.com

Minneapolis Wants To Move Bus Stops To Fight Downtown Crime

Increased crime in downtown Minneapolis around bus stops prompts the mayor, police and businesses to pressure the transit agency to move 7th Street's bus stops three blocks away from the downtown entertainment district.

April 26, 2007 - Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune

Increased Fuel Efficiency Wreaks Havoc On Highway Trust Fund

As vehicles become more fuel efficient, their drivers pay less in fuel excise taxes, the main source of road funding. Fuel efficiency will likely increase as a global warming reduction strategy, while fuel excise taxes remain largely stagnant.

April 26, 2007 - The Wall Street Journal

Paved Paradigm

Libertarian biases and assumptions keep Reason Magazine authors stuck in traffic.

April 26, 2007 - Michael Dudley

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.