District of Columbia

Farebox

D.C. Makes the Case for Decriminalizing Fare Evasion

The District may soon remove criminal penalties from fare evasion with a proposal that would lower fines and strike the possibility of jail time.

November 21, 2017 - The Washington Post

Washington Monuments

Better Land Use Planning: One of the Best Ways to Improve Transportation

Smart growth advocates have been making this point for years, but a new report from the Washington, D.C. regional planning organization provides more evidence for the strategic location of population and job growth.

November 19, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Grid Bike Share

On the Pitfalls of Dockless Bikeshare

App-driven bikeshare, without the station, has been spreading rapidly, especially in China. But the system comes with its share of problems, including its own version of the tragedy of the commons.

November 14, 2017 - The Guardian

Freeway Construction

GOP Tax Plan Eliminates Critical Infrastructure-Funding Bond Program

The Tax Cut and Jobs Act would have a deleterious effect on major infrastructure proposed by the private sector. The loss of Private Activity Bonds would hike borrowing rates for road, transit, stadium, and even affordable housing projects.

November 9, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

D.C. Metro

Friday Eye Candy: Time-Lapse Video Captures the Many Charms of the Subway

Few rail transit systems have faced as many challenges in recent years as the Metrorail system serving the Washington, D.C. Consider this video an appreciation.

November 3, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

The Wharf D.C.

$2 Billion Riverfront Development Now Open in D.C.

The first phase of Washington D.C.'s The Wharf is now open, bringing glitz to a formerly quiet section of waterfront.

November 2, 2017 - The Architect's Newspaper

National Building Museum

An 'Evicted' Exhibit Planned for the National Building Museum

The critically acclaimed and Pulitzer Prize-winning book Evicted by Mathew Desmond will serve as the inspiration for an "immersive" exhibition at the National Building Museum.

October 28, 2017 - CityLab

Closing Time

D.C. Removes Parking Spaces to Make Room for Late-Night Ride Hailing

Fewer parking spaces, more sober rides home. Sounds like a recipe for a good night out.

October 27, 2017 - CityLab

Washington D.C. Grocery Store

'Grocery Walk' Gathers D.C. Residents to Bring Attention to Lack of Food Options

Neighborhoods with mostly minority populations in Washington, D.C. suffer from a lack of quality grocery stores. A large group of neighborhood activists are trying to do something about it.

October 19, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Rodents Vermin

The City With the Most Rats Is...

It's the day everyone has been waiting for! The 2017 "Rattiest Cities" list has been announced.

October 18, 2017 - The Washington Post

Apartment Construction

Rents Drop for the Second Consecutive Quarter in Washington, D.C.

A large amount of new rental units have come online in recent months in Washington, D.C., and the housing market has seen a surprising amount of upheaval as a result.

October 16, 2017 - Bisnow Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. Row Houses

'Housing Insights' Mapping Tool Designed to Preserve Subsidized Housing in D.C.

The Housing Insights team of volunteer civic hackers hopes you'll use their software in other cities, too.

October 14, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Washington D.C.

Bike Ridership Outpaces Infrastructure in D.C.

D.C.'s bike-sharing programs are gaining popularity, but the city's infrastructure might not be enough to support the new riders.

October 12, 2017 - The New York Times

ADUs Are Having a Moment

Granny flats, mother-in-law units, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), or secondary units—whatever you call them, more and more cities, regions, and states are making it easier to deliver subtle density in the backyard.

October 11, 2017 - Public Square

Washington D.C.

In D.C.: Rent Control Law 1, Short-Term Rentals 0

It's still illegal to convert rental units into short-term rentals that act as a hotel business in Washington, D.C. A high-profile legal settlement will thus send a bumper crop of rental units back to the market.

October 6, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

D.C. Metro Bus

Four Ideas to Improve D.C. Buses

It isn't always easy, especially for politicians and engineers, but there are proven ways to save a floundering bus system.

October 5, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Rail Transit

Favorite Podcasts of D.C.-Area Urbanists

Greater Greater Washington contributors put their heads together and came up with a list of the favorite podcasts.

October 3, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Maryland's $9 Billion Project Would Be the Nation's Largest P3 for Highways

Gov. Larry Hogan (R-Md.) announced last week plans for the largest highway contract awarded to a public-private partnership: adding four express toll lanes to the Capital Beltway and I-270. A third highway widening will be completed internally.

September 29, 2017 - Planetizen

Disable Access

Accessibility Barriers Continue to Plague Some Metro Systems

Most metro systems in the United States tend to score high on accessibility, while European systems have mixed results.

September 28, 2017 - The Guardian

Philanthropy Fights Gentrification Around D.C.'s Planned Bridge Park

With lessons from high-profile urban revitalization in place, organizers and philanthropists are working to ensure the 11th Street Bridge Park doesn't push low-income residents out of surrounding neighborhoods.

September 25, 2017 - The Washington Post

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

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.