District of Columbia

The Seat of Government

House Transportation Bill Misses Mark on Transit

Transit advocates have little good to say about the recently-passed Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act. While it doesn't cut transit funding, it does nothing to expedite transit-based solutions.

October 29, 2015 - Streetsblog Network

Car Bike Lane

Bicyclists and Sunday Drivers Clash in DC

To some, a protected bike lane saves lives; to others, it threatens the survival of a community.

October 27, 2015 - The Washington Post

Bicyclists White House

Gabe Klein's Vision for D.C. Transportation

Drawing on his experience with the Washington D.C. and Chicago departments of transportation, Gabe Klein shared his thoughts about transportation improvements in the capital—if money were no object.

October 26, 2015 - WAMU

Interactive Map Allows Comparisons of the Nation's Traffic Camera Systems

Some cities take their surveillance of traffic violations very seriously. Washington, D.C., this time we're looking at you.

October 19, 2015 - Vox

CTA Buses

Want to Make a Better City? Build a Better Bus System

It's simple, according to this Washington Post column: better buses make a better city.

October 13, 2015 - The Washington Post

D.C. Turns Poop to Power

No, the title does not refer to Congress, it is meant to be taken literally: It is about the District of Columbia's sewage treatment plant that produces renewable energy by treating its biosolids with a new hydrolysis technology imported from Norway.

October 10, 2015 - The Washington Post

Metro Expansion Map

D.C. Metro's Mea Culpa: Bad Service Responsible for Declining Ridership

While cities like New York and San Francisco's transit systems are bursting at the seams, D.C. Metro's rail system lost 5 percent of its ridership between 2010 and 2015. This week Metro acknowledged some of its fault in that trend.

October 8, 2015 - The Washington Post

Innovative Programs to Teach Planning to Young People

An exhibit at the National Building Museum showcases the work of teens in city planning and design. It's just one recent example of innovative programs to get youth involved in the process of engaging with their communities.

October 6, 2015 - Greater Greater Washington

Bus Bunching

New Tracking System Tackles Bus Bunching

Washington, D.C.'s DOT has adopted TransitIQ, a straightforward tracking technology, to help dispatchers keep buses on schedule.

October 4, 2015 - Mobility Lab

Parking Sign Blue

Three Parking Solutions for Three Growing Cities

As a new wave of people flood cities to live, work, and play, many arrive on four wheels: cars, which are creating massive headaches for city planners and drivers.

September 29, 2015 - Elevation DC

Proactive Approach to Displacement Included With 11th Street Bridge Park Plans

A proposal to design a park at the 11th Street Bridge between Capitol Hill and Historic Anacostia includes a through study of how the new park can connect two neighborhoods without leaving anyone behind.

September 23, 2015 - Greater Greater Washington

RFK Stadium DC United

D.C.'s RFK Stadium Losing its Last Tenant—What's Next?

An ongoing planning study by Events DC, commenced by a previous mayoral administration, could conflict with the desire of the current mayor for the site of RFK Stadium

September 18, 2015 - Greater Greater Washington

White House Smart Cities Initiative Uses Connected Vehicle Technology

Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx unveiled a $42 million transportation program in Manhattan that is part of President Obama's new $160 million Smart Cities Initiative. Funds will go to NYC, Tampa, and Wyoming to reduce congestion and crashes.

September 15, 2015 - The White House

Washington, D.C. Housing Boom Only Serving One End of the Market

A post on Greater Greater Washington laments the lack of options coming online in Washington, D.C.'s housing boom—new housing is only of the most expensive variety.

September 12, 2015 - Greater Greater Washington

'Vision Zero' Requires More Data in Washington, D.C.

Advocates say traffic safety data collection practices in Washington, D.C. don't meet national standards. They also say it will be hard for the District to meet its vision zero goal by 2024 if the problem persists.

September 3, 2015 - WAMU

The Lost History of D.C.'s Murals

Washington City Paper creates a record of the many murals that have been lost to new construction and shifting demographics in neighborhoods around Washington, D.C.

September 2, 2015 - Washington City Paper

Capital Bikeshare

Study: Capital Bikeshare Reduces Congestion

A new study finds evidence of a causal link between bikeshare and congestion in Washington, D.C.

August 26, 2015 - Resources for the Future

Making Traffic Circles Safe for Pedestrians

A post for Greater Greater Washington details the ongoing conversation about how to improve pedestrian safety around Grant Circle.

August 22, 2015 - Greater Greater Washington

Washington DC Chinatown

Residents Forced Out of Washington, D.C.'s Chinatown

Can a neighborhood still call itself Chinatown when everyone living there is wealthy and white? Beset by rapid gentrification, longtime residents of D.C.'s Chinatown fight to keep their homes.

August 3, 2015 - The Washington Post

Detroit Vacant Properties

Map Depicts Nationwide Geography of Inequality

An analysis and accompanying interactive map from the Urban Institute show where the nation's richest and poorest tend to live. The map tells a tale of deeply ingrained wealth segregation.

July 28, 2015 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

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.