Pennsylvania
New Research Maps Transit Poverty
New research provides sorely needed tools for illustrating the neighborhoods that suffer a lack of transportation options to access jobs and opportunity.

Pennsylvania Comes 'Round To Roundabouts
When two roads meet in William Penn's Forest, what do you do? New plans from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation say, increasingly, you build a roundabout. No fewer than forty are on the drawing board throughout the state.
Parks—or Playgrounds for Billionaires?
New York may be the most famous example of the parks becoming the most conspicuous signifiers of neighborhoods for the haves, versus the have-nots, but Inga Saffron hopes that cities everywhere can find ways to even the playing fields.
SEPTA Tops for Women Transit Riders
An informal survey of transit ridership data reveals that Philadelphia's SEPTA has the highest percentage of women riders. But what does that data say about SEPTA and transit in general?
Proposed Planning and Development Reorganization Stalls in Philadelphia
A drastic overhaul of the planning and development processes in Philadelphia is, at least for now, on hold so stakeholders can have more time to analyze the proposal.

Pittsburgh Launches GPS-Enabled Snow Plow Tracker
Pittsburgh has a new web-based portal for residents to track snow removal operations as they happen. It's the latest example of a city allowing public access to the details of city operations during snowstorms.
Strategic Plan for Philadelphia Land Bank Gains Approval
By all accounts, the Philadelphia Land Bank has completed a high quality strategic plan to guide its actions over the coming years.
Judge Clears Way for Redevelopment of Pittsburgh's Former Civic Arena Site
The proposed redevelopment of the 28-acre site—former home of the Civic Arena—would produce a corporate headquarters and a mix of uses and housing.
An 'Energy Hub' Boomtown—In Philadelphia?
The Marcellus Shale boom has inspired some in Philadelphia to imagine their city as the "next Houston"—if it can attract the businesses and infrastructure to bring oil and gas in for the benefit of a homegrown manufacturing economy.
Critic: Development Proposal to Close for Comfort to Philadelphia's Rodin Museum
Architecture Critic Inga Saffron decries the development proposal making progress through the approval process in Philadelphia—a large, glassy residential building that would encroach on the tiny serenity of the Rodin Museum.

Three Cities Where New Immigrants Revitalized Main Street
Fusion lists three cities as examples of new immigrants becoming the face of community businesses in neighborhoods needing a boost.

Three States Hope to Take Advantage of Low Gas Prices to Boost Gas Taxes
A movement at the state and federal levels would take advantage of low oil prices to boost gas taxes to pay for infrastructure. Michigan, Iowa, and Utah proposals, and a change to the federal Corker-Murphy plan, are described below.
Clearing Up Myths on the Federal Gas Tax
In this Washington Post opinion, Paul Bledsoe, former staff member of the Senate Finance Committee, clears up five common misunderstandings about the federal gas tax to inform discussions on America's infrastructure funding crisis
Philadelphia Replacing 7 Bridges Above Vine Street Expressway
"A five-year, $82 million project to replace seven bridges over the Vine Street Expressway will also remodel the cultural spine of the city," reports Paul Nussbaum.
Philadelphia Waterfront Revitalization follows the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk
It might lack the High Line's design ambition, but the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk will fill an appreciated role in the network of trails along the Philadelphia waterfront.
750-Mile Trail Network Near Philadelphia Receives $8.6 Million Gift
The William Penn Foundation has awarded $8.6 million in support for The Circuit—a planned regional network of bicycle and pedestrian trails for greater Philadelphia.

Compare the Scale of U.S. Streetcar Systems
Everyone likes a little friendly competition—in this case a Greater Greater Washington post does a side-by-side comparison of all the active streetcar systems in the United States.
Philly Burgh Balances Tradition with Revitalization
People seeking small town, authentic character are moving to the burghs along the Schuylkill River. Now the towns are faced with the challenge of blending the old with the new.

3 Strategies for Controlling Gentrification
Sandy Smith summarizes a recent "Gentrification, Integration, and Equity" event hosted by Next City in Philadelphia.
Editorial: Pittsburgh Landlord Fee an Unnecessary Burden
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto has proposed a new fee on landlords to help enforce scofflaws. An editorial by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, however, argues that the math behind the fee doesn’t add up.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions