United States

Barbara Boxer Key Figure in Transportation Act

Boxer is chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which is responsible for writing much of the language in the bill. Progressives are concerned that she won't deliver on their agenda of reform.

May 7, 2009 - Streetsblog

Americans Driving Less- Temporary, or Permanent?

Nate Silver, the baseball stats guy turned election predictor, takes a look at the statistics showing that Americans are driving less.

May 6, 2009 - Esquire

Looking Under LaHood

The New York Times asks the question Planetizen readers have been asking for months: Who is this Ray LaHood, and how did he become the choice for Secretary of Transportation?

May 6, 2009 - The New York Times

Recession Fuels 'Neighboring'

Community participation is on the rise, and many sociologists think it's related to the recession.

May 6, 2009 - The Seattle Times

Rethinking Infrastructure

The Urban Land Institute's recent report on infrastructure finds fault with the government's lack of planning and vision in regards to infrastructure. 'It's a stupid way to run a country,' says ULI V.P. Maureen MacAvey.

May 5, 2009 - Architect Magazine

The Greenest City Mayors

Grist lists the top 15 green-leaning mayors in America.

May 5, 2009 - Grist

The Battle Over Growth in Portland

A documentary focusing on Portland's urban growth boundary begins airing this month on public television stations across the country. It includes interviews with proponents on all sides of the smart growth issue.

May 5, 2009 - PR Web

The Smart Grid and the Stimulus Package

The stimulus package is jump-starting smart grid projects, says Jay Birnbaum, Senior Vice President of CURRENT Group.

May 5, 2009 - Focus Washington

Florida Looks At High-Speed Rail Plan

Richard Florida compares the Obama administration's suggest HSR corridors to the mega-regions they will serve and likes what he sees.

May 5, 2009 - The Atlantic

The Future of National Surface Transportation Policy

That was the title the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation chose for a hearing on April 28. Panelists: Ray LaHood, DOT Secretary; Steve Heminger, MTC; Jame Corless, T4America; Ann Canby, STPP, and Ned Holmes, TX Transp. Comm.

May 4, 2009 - Streetsblog

VMT Fees: The Answer to Traffic Congestion?

Pricing road use by vehicle miles traveled (VMT) with higher fees for using congested roads could reduce travel time, claim researchers at Brookings.

May 4, 2009 - Brookings

Should Fuel Taxes Pay For Alternative Transportation?

Planetizen has teamed up with National Journal, a weekly politics and policy magazine, to explore transportation issues. As part of National Journal's Transportation Experts blog, we've asked Planetizen Interchange bloggers and National Journal's Transportation Experts whether money from the Highway Trust Fund should be used for non-highway projects like bike lanes and pedestrian walkways.

May 4, 2009 - Planetizen

The Age of Smart Infrastructure

Infrastructure and technology are blending together, creating infrastructure and infrastructural management more responsive and intelligent.

May 4, 2009 - The New York Times

Breaking Silos in the City

May 4, 2009 - Nate Berg

New Old Homes: Building Historically

Developers are increasingly creating communities of historically-styled homes that aim to mimic small towns. But many are finding it is hard work to avoid a theme park feel.

May 3, 2009 - Retail Traffic Magazine

America's Most Endangered Historical Sites

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has announced its list of America's most endangered places.

May 3, 2009 - The New York Times

DOT and HUD, Together Again

DOT and HUD announce a joint effort to merge land use and planning to improve livability. CNU's John Norquist comments on the merger.

May 2, 2009 - New Urban News

Stay Off Subways And Planes, Says Biden

VP Biden, on NBC's 'Today Show' April 30, told viewers he would tell his family to stay off planes and subways because of fear of infection by swine flu virus. Medical experts were quick to disagree, and his office had to issue a retraction.

May 2, 2009 - The New York Times - Politics Blog

The Future of Urban Lighting

This article showcases six new types of streetlights that reduce energy use in very different ways.

May 1, 2009 - The Infrastructurist

Making Clean Energy Reliable

Clean energy is a major component of the Obama Administration's plans for an upgraded electricity grid. But with variable outputs, clean energy generation from solar and wind will need to be augmented, according to this piece from NPR.

May 1, 2009 - NPR

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.

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.