District of Columbia

Report: Construction, Management Problems Plague the D.C. Streetcar

The long-delayed D.C. Streetcar got some very bad news last week, when a panel of industry experts found evidence of construction mistakes that will severely impact the system's reliability.

July 13, 2015 - The Washington Post

New Large-Scale Mixed-Use Development A Sign of the Times in Washington D.C.

A new development that will "emphasize the urban setting" is on the way in Washington D.C. along a Capitol Riverfront with a lot of projects in the development pipeline.

July 1, 2015 - Urban Turf

Federal Transit Authority Reports Critical Flaws in D.C. Metro Operations

Described as an unprecedented federal safety inspection of operations at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority produced 78 safety fixes for the system.

June 21, 2015 - The Washington Post

Washington D.C. Row Houses

Washington D.C. Downzones to Curb Pop-Ups in Rowhouse Neighborhoods

Owners of rowhouse properties in Washington D.C. will no longer be able to add height and density by building pop-ups. The construction provoked the ire of aesthetically minded critics and, now, the regulatory controls of the District's zoning code.

June 10, 2015 - The Washington Post

The Code Change That Could Enable Mid-Rise Construction in Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. must wrap up its consideration of the 2015 International Building Code by July. Adoption of the IBC could enable new types of density in the nation's capital.

June 3, 2015 - Greater Greater Washington

Young Family

Will Young Families Stay in Cities?

With their reputation for decent schools, lower crime, and affordable housing, suburbs can be an attractive prospect for young families. Can cities retain that demographic? Should they?

May 16, 2015 - The Washington Post

How D.C.'s Department of Housing and Community Development Will Tackle Housing Challenges

Aaron Wiener interviews Polly Donaldson—the recently hired head the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) in Washington, D.C.—about her strategies for improving housing in the Nation's Capital.

May 16, 2015 - Washington City Paper

Washington, D.C.'s Downtown Playground Desert

D.C.'s fast-growing downtown neighborhoods have new restaurants, offices and apartments—but few playgrounds. With thousands of children expected to be born in the District in the next five years, where will they all play?

May 5, 2015 - Elevation DC

20 Years of Planning for Streetcars in Washington, D.C.

In anticipation of the expected opening of the H Street/Benning Road streetcar line in Washington, D.C., Peter Dovak examines the evolution of streetcar planning over the past 20 years.

May 5, 2015 - Greater Greater Washington

Appropriations Committee Would Cut Half of D.C. Metro's Funding

A Republican spending bill would slash funding for the D.C. Metro by half. Local Democrats have called the proposal shortsighted and ill timed.

April 30, 2015 - The Hill

Diversity Trending the Wrong Direction for D.C.'s Capital Bikeshare

The diversity gap between the population of Washington, D.C. and the membership of its model bikeshare system is well established, but it's also getting worse.

April 30, 2015 - The Washington Post

Washington D.C. Metro

D.C. Metro Stops Poised for Growth in Ridership

While transit ridership is up around the country, the D.C. Metro has experienced the opposite. The agency's planners aren't worried about those numbers, though. They're excited about development that's bringing more residents to transit-served areas.

April 30, 2015 - The Washington Post

Should a Parking Lot in D.C. Be Saved in the Name of Historic Preservation?

In the wealthy community of Spring Valley, just inside the western boundaries of the District of Columbia, residents are opposing a proposed development by claiming the site—a parking lot—is a historic landmark.

April 17, 2015 - Washington City Paper

Where D.C.'s Metro Brings in the Most Money

A newly released map shows which stations in the Metrorail system bring in the most revenue for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (D.C. Metro).

April 16, 2015 - Washington City Paper

Details about ParkDC—Washington, D.C.'s Performance Parking Program

As the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) quickly approaches the May target for the launch of ParkDC, Greater Greater Washington takes a closer look at what the performance parking program will entail.

April 15, 2015 - Greater Greater Washington

U.S. EPA Announces 2014 Energy Star Top Cities: D.C. Tops

A U.S.EPA list ranks the cities leading the nation with the most energy efficient commercial buildings.

April 6, 2015 - U.S. EPA

Can Washington D.C. Keep Rolling on Bike Infrastructure?

Bike advocates are concerned that after a "banner year" for bike infrastructure in the nation’s capital, the momentum for bike infrastructure is waning rather than building. How much do these kinds of missed opportunities cost?

March 22, 2015 - WAMU

Businesses Band Together to Rebrand Their Block

It's just one block, but a block disrupted by changes happening just a quarter-mile away. So these businesses came together to rebrand their street and bring customers back.

March 13, 2015 - Elevation DC

Three Challenges for Multi-Modal Trip Planning Apps

A recent post on Mobility Lab explains some of the challenges developers encounter when creating the multi-modal trip planner apps of our dreams.

March 10, 2015 - Mobility Lab

D.C. Streetcar Expansion May Be Further Trimmed

New Washington, D.C. Mayor Bowser may deviate from the prior administration by not supporting the expansion of the streetcar line. This is a double-blow to streetcar advocates, as Mayor Gray had already pared down the new streetcar's expansion plans.

March 7, 2015 - WAMU

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.