District of Columbia

D.C. Streetcar Began Service Saturday (Seriously!)

Yes, this is the real deal. After years of delay and planning and construction mishaps, the long-awaited $200 million, 2.2 mile line streetcar line down H Street began service Saturday. Not all media were kind to the streetcar, even on opening day.

February 29, 2016 - NBC Washington

Food Truck

New Study Looks at the Mystery and Benefits of Food Truck Movements

The seemingly non-complex decisions on where food trucks park is examined in a new study that finds there's actually a lot more to it than just an empty curb.

February 16, 2016 - CityLab

Breaking Down D.C.'s Bike Commuter Map

A map of bike commuters also maps the political conflicts in a changing Washington, D.C.

February 10, 2016 - Greater Greater Washington

D.C.'s Record Construction Pace Credited for Easing Rents

Washington, D.C. joins Denver and Seattle as locations credited with slowing the rising cost of housing by building an abundant new supply of residential units.

February 5, 2016 - Greater Greater Washington

Georgetown-Rosslyn Gondola Proposal Gets a Funded Study

The idea of a gondola crossing the Potomac might still seem a little pie in the sky, but it has legs.

February 5, 2016 - The Washington Post

Coming This Week to D.C. Metro Stations: Grocery Delivery

Three D.C. Metro stations will now include grocery delivery. The service could expand, especially if it raises revenues for the cash-strapped transit agency.

February 2, 2016 - The Washington Post

How the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Failed the People of Flint

While blame squarely lays with Michigan state officials, agencies, and possibly Gov. Rick Snyder himself, the EPA also played a role by both detecting the cause of the problem but not acting on the reports of improper treatment of river water.

January 31, 2016 - Huffington Post

District DOT Considering Stop Consolidation to Speed Up Transit

The tough task of removing bus stops to speed up travel times is on the table in Washington, D.C.

January 28, 2016 - Borderstan

D.C. Metro Will Be Closed for Commuting, But Capitol Hill Will Be Open for Sledding

A large winter storm is bearing down on the East Coast, prompting advanced preparations by local officials.

January 22, 2016 - The Washington Post

A First Look at Washington, D.C.'s New Zoning Code

The D.C. Zoning Commission last week approved a new zoning code for the nation's capital. The new code will go into effect in September.

January 21, 2016 - WAMU

Mt. Hood and Traffic

Carrots and Sticks: Making Driving Alone the Worst Option

The build out of mass transit and bicycle infrastructure hasn’t been the cure-all for shifting commuters from single-person autos to alternate modes of transit, as many had hoped. Maybe it's time we start looking at how to disincentivize driving.

January 19, 2016 - The New Republic

Washington, D.C. Considering Expansion of Homebuyer Assistance Program

The nation's capital is hoping to increase the funding support offered to households through the Home Purchase Assistance Program to help more people afford the critical first step of buying a home.

January 17, 2016 - Greater Greater Washington

D.C. Inclusionary Zoning Tweaks Would Serve Lower Income Households

The D.C. Zoning Commission will be the first to consider staff recommendations for adjustments to District's inclusionary zoning policy.

January 13, 2016 - Greater Greater Washington

New Year's Gift for Washington and New York City Commuters

Commuters working in New York City and Washington, D.C. will now enjoy transit tickets and passes purchased using pre-tax income.

January 4, 2016 - Planetizen

Beer Company Paying for Transit on New Year's Eve in Washington, D.C.

Miller Lite is shifting from its normal lobbying expenditures in the nation's capital to pick up the tab on the ride home for those taking transit. Here's to getting home safely, tonight and every other night.

December 31, 2015 - The Hill

Washington, D.C. Renovations a Peculiar Shade of 'Flip-House Gray'

Washington, D.C. is awash in a layer of gray paint that has followed a wave of renovations that have followed the rising cost of housing. Washington City Paper peals away the paint to explore the origins and implications of the fad.

December 30, 2015 - Washington City Paper

Washington D.C. Metro

Rail Access in High Demand Among the Young, White, and Well Educated

Washington, D.C. provides a model for trends found in other cities: people living near transit are trending younger, whiter, and more educated.

December 20, 2015 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

Debating the Idaho Stop in the Nation's Capital

Rhetoric from both sides of the issue is on display as Washington, D.C. considers a new law allowing bike riders to treat stop signs as yield signs.

December 10, 2015 - Greater Greater Washington

DC Pope Visit

How the Pope's Visit Reduced Traffic in Washington, D.C.

Pope Francis' much-publicized visit to the capital in late September saw reductions in congestion and better travel times. Event-specific telecommuting policies and transit route changes appear responsible for the minor miracle.

November 12, 2015 - The Washington Post

Feds Award nearly $28 Million for Washington to Baltimore Maglev Project

The 105-year old Hudson River Rail Tunnels may desperately need replacement, but the Federal Railroad Administration also has an eye on the future, awarding $27.8 million to prepare a maglev application between Washington and Baltimore.

November 9, 2015 - 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.