Maryland

Bay Bridge

Potential Routes for New Bridge Across the Chesapeake Winnowed From 14 to 3

The Maryland Transportation Authority has been studying the potential of a new bridge across the Chesapeake Bay, connecting Annapolis to Queen Anne's County to the East.

August 28, 2019 - The Washington Post

Accessory Dwelling Unit

Making the Case for ADUs and Housing Equity

For Montgomery County in Maryland, accessory dwelling units are a viable strategy to help ease the affordable housing crisis.

August 21, 2019 - Greater Greater Washington

Historic Towns

Land Use of 2,200-Acre Site Holds Up 'Livable Frederick' Plan in Western Maryland

City councilmembers are debating the future of a 2,200-acre former aluminum smelting plant in Frederick, Maryland. The debate centers on the viability of the parcel as transit-oriented development.

August 21, 2019 - The Frederick News-Post

Montgomery County Department of Transportation

'Flash' Bus Rapid Transit Coming to Maryland

The "Flash" bus rapid transit system proposed in Montgomery County, Maryland took a crucial step forward at the end of July.

August 15, 2019 - Greater Greater Washington

Montgomery County

Controversial ADU Allowances Approved in Maryland

Spirited protests weren't enough to stop the Montgomery County Council from allowing accessory dwelling units (ADU) in parts of the county.

July 23, 2019 - Bethesda Magazine

Montgomery County Residential Homes

ADU Controversy in Montgomery County, Maryland

The Montgomery County Council is preparing to vote on an amendment that would loosen restrictions on the controversial building type known as accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

July 9, 2019 - WAMU

Supreme Court

Cities Lost Political Power in that 'Other' Supreme Court Ruling Last Month

On June 27, the Supreme Court didn't just rule on the Census Bureau's citizenship question. It also decided that it wasn't their business to consider how congressional districts are drawn, which will likely reduce the influence of cities.

July 7, 2019 - The New York Times

Maryland School

For Lack of Schools: Building Moratorium Set to Take Effect

The Montgomery County Council made a few last minute changes to a residential building moratorium that will take effect next week, halting construction in areas around the county's schools.

June 27, 2019 - Bethesda Magazine

New Jersey Power Plant

New Jersey to Price Carbon Emissions from Electricity Generation

When the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection adopted new rules for power plants on June 17, the Garden State becomes the tenth to participate in a cap-and-trade program known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

June 26, 2019 - Utility Dive

Traffic Safety

When it Comes to Road Diets, Evidence Doesn't Matter

Drivers are a powerful enough lobby to overcome all evidence of the need to redesign streets for safety. Examples from Maryland and Virginia provide the latest case studies in Vision Zero futility.

June 25, 2019 - Greater Greater Washington

Under Armour Clothing Global Headquarters

A $5.5 Billion Waterfront Plan for Baltimore Wins Opportunity Zone Status

The Port Covington plan was already in line to receive massive subsidies from the city of Baltimore. Now the plan will be the beneficiary of the new federal Opportunity Zone program as well.

June 21, 2019 - ProPublica

Pedestrians and Walkable Street

Pedestrian Planning in Response to Worsening Safety Data

Faced with rapidly deteriorating pedestrian safety statistics, Montgomery County in Maryland is getting to work on a new Pedestrian Plan, following closely on the heels of work completed for the county's Bicycle Master Plan.

June 13, 2019 - Bethesda Magazine

Acela Express #2018

Amtrak Improving Tracks to Make Way for Faster Trains Between Baltimore and D.C.

Amtrak is in the process up updating its tracks to prepare for Acela Express trains that will travel at speeds up to 125 miles per hour between D.C. and Baltimore on the Northeast Corridor.

June 6, 2019 - WTOP

Baltimore

Baltimore Anti-Discrimination Bill a 'Half-Measure'

Baltimore's City Council has banned source-of-income housing discrimination, but the bill leaves landlords a way out.

May 23, 2019 - Next City

Maryland Liquor Store

Closing Liquor Stores, Hoping to Gain Public Health

A new zoning code in Baltimore will reduce the number of liquor stores in the city in hopes of reducing the violent crime rate. Will there be unintended consequences?

May 22, 2019 - Shelterforce Magazine

14th Street Traffic

Little Support for Congestion Pricing in the D.C. Area

Just about no one in the D.C. regions wants to pay to alleviate traffic.

May 18, 2019 - The Washington Post

Carnival Rides

Busy Bus Routes on the Chopping Block in Montgomery County

One of the most famous suburban counties in the country could become a little less urban this week, if a proposal to cut bus service makes it past the Montgomery County Council.

May 15, 2019 - Greater Greater Washington

D.C. Metro Bus

Report Lays Out a New Path for Bus Service in the D.C. Region

Ridership on the WMATA bus system, down an estimated 13 percent between 2012 and 2017, will need drastic innovations to reverse, according to a new report by the Bus Transformation project.

May 7, 2019 - The Washington Post

Bike Lane

One Less Protected Bike Lane in Baltimore

A bike lane on Roland Avenue in Baltimore had been separated from vehicle traffic by vehicle parking, but no longer.

May 2, 2019 - The Baltimore Sun

Arlington County

A New Bicycle Master Plan for Arlington County

Arlington County planning staff have worked on a new bicycle master plan for the past two years. The Arlington County Board will consider the new plan this week.

April 21, 2019 - Greater Greater Washington

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

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.