District of Columbia

Comparing Transit Ridership
Data journalism site FiveThirtyEight wades into the complex world of transit ridership data, looking for insights into which cities make use of robust transit systems, and which still have work to do.
Lukewarm Architectural Review for New Silver Line Stations
Although the D.C. Metro's new Silver Line stations in Northern Virginia are designed for functional rather than high aesthetic ideals, Philip Kennicott's review for the Washington Post focuses on the benefit of the line to the region.
The Danger of Commuter Benefits for All
In yet another illustration of the high cost of free parking, Eric Jaffe reports on a study by two Virginia Tech transportation scholars that analyze all types of commuter transportation benefits and how they influence choice of commute mode.
Study: Bikeshare Replaces Transit Trips in Minneapolis, Washington D.C.
Eric Jaffe dives into evidence that bike share should be considered an essential component of a multi-modal public transit network.
Place Mobility: Sometimes Good Transportation Is Slow
Streetcars are expensive and slow, and that drives Matthew Yglesias crazy. He fails to grasp Place Mobility, which can be an excellent transportation investment for a city.
D.C. Metro's Silver Line Launches Passenger Service
After no small amount of debate, delay, and controversy, the first phase of D.C. Metro's Silver Line will launch passenger service today. The line will connect Washington D.C. to northwestern Virginia, including four stops in Tysons Corner.
Where Smaller is More Marketable
Unlike the message of an annoying commercial, bigger may not be better in the real estate market. Residential developers in Washington D.C. have found that millennials like small studios, or micro-units, provided the spaces are well designed.
In Search of Clear Transit Platform Signs
Observation of a handful of transit platform sign styles from around the world on their clarity and usefulness.
Mexico's Lacandon Jungle Under Development Pressure
Lacandon Jungle in Mexico is under pressure as tribes, the Mexican government, and preservationists fight between development versus conservation.
Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative Launched to Revitalize the Nation's Main Street
With the neighborhoods north of Pennsylvania Avenue booming, there are still stretches of "America's Main Street" that have escaped the revitalization.

More People are Riding Bikes; After That It Gets Confusing
A pair of articles explores the implications of data released in May by the U.S. Census about the increasing use of bikes among commuters. The articles, however, don't agree about the implications of the data for low income and minority citizens.
Bill Would Require Affordable Housing in Sales of Public Land in Washington D.C.
"A DC Council committee voted…to require developers to include affordable housing any time they buy land from the city for residential development," reports Jenny Reed.
Six Years Later—More Revisions for Washington D.C.'s Zoning Code Update
None of the original team that began working on Washington D.C.'s zoning code update are still working on the project. Much has changed in the six years that have expired.

Delayed, Expensive, and Poorly Planned—D.C. Streetcar Called 'Worse than Nothing'
In January, Washington D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray claimed that the district's new streetcar would open in February. Still not open, the D.C. City Council this week slashed future streetcar spending.

Proliferation of 'Pop-Ups' Irks Washington D.C. Neighborhoods
Washington D.C. is experiencing a "rush" on new construction of renovated townhouses or "pop-ups," which many say do not fit the character of the neighborhoods where they tend to proliferate.
Washington D.C. Could Convert Vacant Lots to Urban Farms
Following a trend that has been more common in shrinking cities, Washington D.C. is considering a bill that would convert district-owned lots into urban farms.
Study Evaluates Protected Bike Lanes in the United States
The National Institute for Transportation and Communities released a new study this week called "Lessons from the Green Lanes: Evaluating Protected Bike Lanes in the U.S."
MoveDC Long Range Transportation Plan Available for Public Comment
The Washington Post has a look at the initial draft of MoveDC, Washington D.C.'s Multimodal Long Range Transportation Plan, which will guide the city's transportation plans until 2040. The plan is available for public comment until July 6, 2014.

On the Legacy of the Great Society: the Washington, D.C. Metro
As part of an ongoing celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Great Society, the Washington Post examines the urban focus and mass transit benefits of President Lyndon B. Johnson's unprecedented programs.
How to Set Up a Real-Time Traffic Display in the Office (or at Home)
A post on the iStrategyLabs website describes some of the software and hardware requirements for building signs that display the arrival and departure of transit in your area.
Pagination
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.
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