United States
U.S. Census: Bikes Most Increased Commute Mode Since 2000
Many U.S. cities are seeing an increase in bicycle commuters, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report released last week. Of all commute modes, biking increased the most from 2000 to 2012. Walking, however, held steady.
Senate Committee Releases Six-Year Transportation Reauthorization Bill
The bill to reauthorize the current surface transportation law, "Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century", a.k.a. MAP-21, was released on Monday and will be "marked up" on Thursday. Spending is kept at current levels of $50 billion a year.
Waterways Infrastructure Bill: Prelude to Highway Bill Agreement?
Last Thursday, House and Senate leaders announced agreement on an $8.2 billion waterways infrastructure bill, and if they have their way, it won't be their last major agreement. On Monday, a successor highway bill (to MAP-21) will be released.
Bi-Partisan Energy Efficiency Bill Stalls while Obama Pushes Initiative
A bi-partisan Senate bill to dramatically reduce carbon emissions by increasing energy efficiency got caught-up in Keystone XL pipeline politics, while President Barak Obama pursued his own energy efficiency agenda at a Walmart in Mtn. View, Calif.
China Considering High Speed Rail Project—to the United States
Reports from Beijing are that Chinese officials are considering a high speed rail project that would connect China to North America. The project sounds like science fiction—but the question remains whether China would or could pull off the project.
A Transportation Redline that Obama is Required to Keep
If Congress can't agree how to fund the Highway Trust Fund shortfall, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx warned state DOTs that he will be unable to reimburse them for funds already spent. The redline is the $4 billion mark projected to come July.
How Planners Can Improve Public Health
Public health was one of the many topics to merge from the American Planning Association's recent national gathering. Here's a look at the proceedings from the conference's Planning Healthy Communities Symposium.
Why BRT Needs to Go Downtown
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is controversial all over the country. Controversy can often lead to compromises, such as mixing the buses into traffic. A recent article makes the case for overcoming controversy and committing to BRT in downtowns.
After $10.2 Billion Treasury Deposit—What Next for Fannie and Freddie?
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will deliver $10.2 billion in dividends to the U.S. Treasury next month, but Congress could soon "wind down" the companies by approving the significant Johnson-Crapo bill.
DOT's Emergency Actions on Shipping Bakken Crude by Rail Fall Short
In what is being billed as the first emergency order of more to come, the Department of Transportation (DOT), the federal regulator of transporting crude oil by rail, hopes to quell the growing national furor over what some call 'ticking time bombs'.
Urban America's 'Reconnaissance Mission for Progressive Politics'
Recent commenters have described cities as the locus for a new type of liberalism that benefits a broader swath of demographics. Dissenters wonder whether certain progressive cities, enabled by privilege, are merely drivers of inequality.
Some Things Just Shouldn't Require a Car Trip
Inspired by a recent death-defying trip to the polls, a blogger lists some of the basic facilities that should be accessible to all pedestrians.
GOP's 2015 Appropriations Bill Would Transform TIGER
The GOP-backed 2015 Appropriations Bill would cut funding for TIGER grants, historically a friend to cities and metro areas looking for funding for multi-modal programs, and make it, essentially, a roads program.
Mobile Version of Google Maps Releases New Features
The popularity of Google Maps is well-documented, and as more users are using the software on their phones (remember when you had to print maps before you left your home or office?), Google's recent updates includes a bunch of new mobile features.
U.S. Coal Exports to Europe Breaking Records
If President Obama is waging a "war on coal," as his critics claim, then Europe must be enjoying a love affair with America's high-carbon fossil fuel, and the most polluting variety at that. How could the world's greenest continent turn so brown?
Are these 5 Buildings the Greatest American Architectural Achievements?
Jeff Caldwell, of Litchfield Landscape Elements, goes out on a limb and names the five best examples of American architecture. Is he right?
Roundabouts: A Tool for Placemaking
Designed properly, roundabouts enhance placemaking and the pedestrian experience.
4 Ways The Government Can Bolster Impact Investing
Impact investing isn't just a new source of funding for nonprofits from the private sector. The government can (and should!) be a catalyst in shaping the market through policies that support investments with a greater social impact.
Can Mayors Help Architects Stay Relevant?
According to an opinion piece by Mimi Zeiger, "urban magistrates are appearing more frequently as personas on the architectural scene as designers tackle questions of the fate of the city." What can design-savvy mayors offer architects?
Climate Change Impacts all of U.S., warns National Climate Assessment
For the third time since 2000, the federal government has issued a National Climate Assessment, as mandated by Congress in 1990, to “understand, assess, predict, and respond" to climate change. The report was approved by President Obama on Tuesday.
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.
One Hundred Miles
County of Mendocino
planning NEXT
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Montrose County
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority
