United States
Economist Says Only The Ignorant Want High-Speed Rail
High Speed Rail, regardless of how glamorous it appears to be, is nothing but a waste of money in the U.S., claims Robert Samuelson. If states want HSR, let them build it themselves without federal subsidy, he concludes as there is no national gain.
Forget Cities - It's Regions and Neighborhoods That Matter
When it comes to economics, statistics, demographics, development, and our daily actions, city lines don't count for much - neighborhoods and regions are where things happen, says Kaid Benfield.
Elections May Determine Future of High Speed Rail
Eric Jaffe highlights projects across the country that could be impacted by today's gubernatorial contests.
Evidence-Based Urban Planning
In a field such as planning that is rich with quantifiable data, why there so little focus on evidence rather than opinion?, wonders researcher Martin Laplante.
Aging Water Infrastructure Carries Huge Costs
With America's water infrastructure graded as a D-minus by the American Society of Civil Engineers, officials are recognizing the need to upgrade the system. A $6 billion infusion by the federal government, though, is just a drop in the bucket.
Metros Across The Country Seek Financial Help From Embattled States
Across the country, a growing number of towns, cities and other local governments are seeking refuge in havens that many states provide as alternatives to federal bankruptcy court.
Rating Cities on the Trick-or-Treater Index
What makes a city a great place to go trick-or-treating? Richard Florida takes the question seriously, ranking cities on walkability, the number of kids in the population, and a certain Halloween spirit.
Is the U.S. Neglecting Its Water?
Bob Herbert warns that the country is allowing its water systems to deteriorate despite a widely evidenced need for upgrades.
'Livable' Sounds Great, But What is it?
Grist talks with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood about just what exactly "livable communities" are and how the government is planning to create them.
Defending The Livable Communities Bill
After Metropolis Magazine took a swipe at Sen. Dodd's Livable Communities Act of 2009, or S.1619, for being "All Carrot, No Stick" or worse, Grist comes to its defense as a necessary bill that would sustain Obama's current smart growth effort.
Will People Really Buy Small Homes?
Building smaller, more economical and sustainable homes is the talk of the building industry. But is it based on truth? Reporter Andrew Rice says it's anyone's guess with Americans will embrace the "spirit of contraint."
A Bigger Transportation Role for the White House?
The Obama administration has expressed interest in playing a bigger role in transportation and infrastructure policy in the U.S. National Journal asks its panel of experts if it's the right time for the White House to be more involved.
Census Participation Holds Steady
Participation rates for the 2010 Census have been released, and the national average of 74% matches that of the previous Census in 2000.
ARRA Misses the Ecological Mark
Hillary Brown argues that the infrastructure priorities of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act further the carbon-intensive status quo and miss an unprecedented opportunity to build innovative, green systems.
Urban Centers Key to Economic Recovery
A new Brookings Institute report points to urban centers as key for growing a "new" American economy.
Public Space is Essential for Democracy
Architecture critic Sarah Williams Goldhagen says that streets can't create public interaction in the way that unstructured spaces like urban parks can.
Cities Struggle to Maintain Public Housing
Across the country, federal funding is unable to keep up with repair costs, forcing some municipalities to cut units from their programs.
Transit and Gentrification
Grist asks, "Does new public transit increase gentrification?" Their conclusion: "Isn't that the point?"
Walking into Trouble?
The shortcomings of Walk Score are becoming more apparent as planners look to use it as a measure of walkability, says The Conservative Planner.
Support for Infrastructure Spending May Be Weaker than Administration Suggests
Contrary to a recent White House report that the vast majority of Americans are in favor of infrastructure spending, a new study from the Pew Center finds limited public support.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
