Maryland

Wind

Maryland Positions Itself as Nation's Leader in Offshore Wind Power

In a few years, Maryland is expected to be the nation's leader in offshore renewable wind power made possible by the Public Service Commission's approval on May 11 of credits to two projects by U.S. Wind and Skipjack Offshore Energy.

May 15, 2017 - Planetizen

Pedestrian Safety

What Makes a Good Trail?

To better advocate for the kind of walking and biking infrastructure it wants to see in a regional trail network, the Capital Trails Coalition has set out to define the components of a high-quality trail.

April 25, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Green TRash Bin

Baltimore Sets a Goal to Recycle More

Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh has set a goal for the city to recycle twice as much as it currently does, and one advocacy group already has ideas about how the city can do so.

April 10, 2017 - Waste Dive

I-68

Maryland Governor Shares Transportation Wishlist With Trump Administration

The Republican governor's transportation priorities align with the administration’s agenda, according to the Washington Post.

March 29, 2017 - The Washington Post

D.C. Metro

D.C. Metro Approves Fare Hike, Service Cuts

For months, transit advocates have dreaded the decision to raise fares and cut service throughout the D.C. Metro system. That day arrived last week. Changes take effect on July 1.

March 27, 2017 - The Washington Post

Baltimore

New Planning Initiatives Strive for Equity in Baltimore

The Planners Across America series visits Maryland for an interview with Baltimore Planning Director Tom Stosur.

March 23, 2017 - Josh Stephens

Water

Trump Budget's Devastating Effect on the EPA and Two of America's Greatest Water Resources

President Trump's budget for 2018 has the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency take the steepest hit—31 percent. Funding for two vital programs, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and Chesapeake Bay Program, will have their funds eliminated.

March 20, 2017 - E&E News [Subscription]

Orange Line

Reform for Maryland's Farebox Recovery Mandate Could Change Planning Paradigms

A funding formula that frequently determines the scope and quality of transit in the state of Maryland could be reformed by state legislators this year.

March 16, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Empty Subway

Transit Agencies Struggling to Predict Ridership, Even as They Raise Fares

At transit agencies like D.C, Metro, bad ridership projections beget bad fare scheduling which begets bad budgets. And so on.

March 13, 2017 - WAMU

Urban Agriculture

Tax Credits to Encourage Urban Agriculture

Montgomery County, Maryland is the latest municipality to approve an agricultural tax credit to to create incentives for agricultural uses in urban areas.

March 10, 2017 - Source of the Spring

Caltrain

Trump's California Double Play: Potential Fatal Blow to Commuter and High-Speed Rail

In one of her first major decisions, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao deferred a decision on a critical $647 million federal grant to electrify the 51-mile San Francisco to San Jose Caltrain line, which would also be used by high-speed rail.

February 21, 2017 - SF Gate

Baltimore Students Have to Adjust to Newly Limited Access to Buses

A local politician resorted to holding a bake sale to help fund free bus service for students.

February 6, 2017 - The Baltimore Sun

Governor Larry Hogan

Maryland Transportation Planning Decisions Under Civil Rights Scrutiny

The infamous cancellation of the Red Line, a decision made by Gov. Larry Hogan shortly after he took office, is a high-profile example of how the state's transportation decisions are short-changing people of color.

February 5, 2017 - Streetsblog USA

Japan High Speed Rail

That D.C.-Baltimore Maglev Concept: An Update

Maglev high-speed rail, financed (partially) by Japan, is still under consideration for the stretch between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. It would take a princely sum to build.

February 1, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Pedestrian-Friendly City

A New Method to the Planning Vision for Bethesda, Maryland

Montgomery County, Maryland is pursuing significant changes for Downtown Bethesda. The proof is in the draft Bethesda Downtown Plan—a long-range land use plan that would allow a new approach to density.

December 28, 2016 - The Washington Post

Takoma Langley Crossroads Transit Center

New Transit Center Opens Today in Langley Park

Bus routes for three systems and eventually a rail stop on the WMATA Purple Line will use the new Takoma Langley Crossroads Transit Center, located north of Washington, D.C.

December 22, 2016 - The Washington Post

fisheye photo of DC subway in station

D.C. Metro Will End Late-Night Rail Service for Two Years

A tough decision that has been on the table since the summer has now been made official by the WMATA's board of directors.

December 16, 2016 - The Washington Post

Gentrification the Killer in Oakland Fire

Already, the Ghost Ship tragedy is being used as a justification for code enforcement crackdowns that will likely further gentrification. But how can we combat gentrification and displacement and improve safety at the same time?

December 16, 2016 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Bmorebikeshare

The Secret to Baltimore's Bikeshare Success: E-Bikes

Baltimore's still-new bike share system is off to a strong start, running 40 percent of its fleet on small electric motors.

December 13, 2016 - Greater Greater Washington

D.C. Metro

D.C. Metro and Uber Partnership Seeks a Win-Win

Uber and D.C. Metro are partnering in new ways as the transit agency deals with fallout from its SafeTrack repair program.

December 11, 2016 - WAMU

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.