TODnews

Feds Give UTA Two Livability Grants

2010-07-11 23:27:04

The federal government awarded two livability grants to the Utah Transit Authority to help build a transit hub in Provo and create a mixed-use development near light rail in South Salt Lake. - More

High-Speed Rail in the U.S.

2010-07-12 06:38:07

A visual tour of the California High Speed Rail system. - FULL VIDEO

Lohan's Father, Friends Protest Jail Time

2010-07-20 23:46:52

Her father, Michael Lohan, and his attorney Lisa Bloom, as well as Lindsay's photographer friends Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri and Marcus Klinko, went on CNN's "Larry King Live" Tuesday night to argue their case, marking Michael's second time on the show to talk about his daughter's probation violation. - More

Mac, iPad sales push Apple to record revenue

2010-07-20 23:49:21

For the third time in the last four quarters, Apple today reported it sold a record number of Macs, although sales of the iPhone slipped slightly. - More

Goldman Sachs $550 Million Settlement Approved

2010-07-20 23:51:55

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission won court approval to levy a $550 million penalty against Goldman Sachs Group Inc., the largest ever against a Wall Street firm, over claims the bank misled investors in collateralized debt obligations linked to subprime mortgages. - More

Dorsey MARC project nearing final vote

2010-07-11 23:21:19

Preston Capital Management is one step away from gaining zoning approval for a 122-acre mixed-use development across Route 100 from the MARC train station in Dorsey. But it is a very important step. - More

Changes for Atlanta's Commuter Landscape come with proposed tax referendum

2010-07-15 10:54:37

If metro Atlanta someday wakes up with regional mass transit, tolerable traffic and less sprawl, historians may point back to this month as a turning point. - More

Rep. Richardson Requests over 19.6 million in TOD Funds

2010-07-20 08:38:10

Rep. Laura Richardson (CA-37) requests $19,600,000 for: Century Housing Corporation 1000 Corporate Pointe Culver City, CA 90230 - More

Rail Routes Rile Gilroy Residents

2010-07-20 09:22:21

Some residents in Gilroy said Monday evening that they fear a proposed high-speed rail route will destroy the serenity of their small town. - More

Shanghai to Beijing high-speed rail's tracks now getting laid

2010-07-20 09:31:02

Even more exciting transportation news: workers have begun laying the tracks for the highly anticipated Shanghai to Beijing high-speed railway. - More

Affordable senior housing going up in Forest Lake

2010-07-18 17:12:00

Marlene English, 71, is active and self-sufficient. But she's got more house than she needs. She's been researching senior living developments for two years and hadn't found a good fit — until she found out about TrailSide Senior Living in Forest Lake.

Even before plans for the center were finally approved or paid for, English put her name on the list. She knew she wanted to live there — she's already a Forest Lake resident — and was willing to wait. - More

Court orders arbitration for AC Transit labor dispute

2010-07-18 21:16:22

An Alameda County Superior Court judge ruled in favor of the bus drivers' union Friday to force arbitration of its contract dispute with AC Transit.

Even so, AC Transit's Interim General Manager Mary King said that because the court did not prevent management from implementing its last and best contract offer, the newly adopted contract by the district's board of directors will take effect today as planned. - More

M.T.A. Deficit Means Riders May Pay More

2010-07-18 21:25:05

Riders of New York’s transportation system are about to learn a tough lesson of recessionary politics: In times of crisis, nothing is sacred.

Some of the more hallowed, burned-into-your-brain assumptions of traveling around the region are now on the chopping block as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority seeks to curtail yet another budget deficit — this one projected at $400 million. - More

OPINION: Wal-Mart expansion a threat to transit-oriented development

2010-07-18 21:39:15

The Rohnert Park Planning Commission unanimously denied a Wal-Mart proposal to enlarge its existing discount store into a supercenter that sells both groceries and general merchandise. Wal-Mart has appealed the decision to the City Council. - More

Tulsa exploring call to ride transit program

2010-07-19 10:36:08

Tulsa Oklahoma is exploring a call-to-ride program to give passengers an option to call for point-to-point location throughout the city. The program is currently in the early planning stage. A survey is being presented to residents as well as a response from the Federal Transit Administration. - More

$1.67 Million Investment for Smart Growth

2010-07-19 15:26:49

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick unveiled a $1.67 million investment for public works economic development in the North Abington Business District. - More

SLO City Council to consider transit fare hike Tuesday

2010-07-18 22:44:18

The San Luis Obispo City Council will be asked Tuesday to increase bus fares and eliminate free transfers starting Sept. 1. The proposed rate increases will raise fares for the public by 20 percent to $1.50 from $1.25 and by 25 percent for senior citizens and disabled riders to 75 cents from 60 cents.

The changes will also include charging Cal Poly students and faculty to ride the evening bus, which will decrease the cost to the public. That change will drop the cost to $1 for the public and to 50 cents for seniors. - More

Seep near capped well worries U.S.

2010-07-18 23:04:15

Reporting From Atlanta — Worried about a substance seeping near BP's sealed oil well, the federal government demanded late Sunday that the company intensely monitor the seabed and be prepared to reopen the well immediately if new oil leaks spring up around the wellhead. - More

Pakistan, Afghanistan Sign Landmark Trade Deal

2010-07-18 23:07:11

Pakistan and Afghanistan on Sunday signed a landmark trade agreement that has been heavily promoted by the United States. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is in Pakistan for a two-day visit, looked on as the Pakistani and Afghan commerce ministers sealed the deal in Islamabad. - More

Officials Say Boeing Won a Jet Order From Emirates

2010-07-18 23:14:31

Boeing obtained an order for up to 30 of its wide-body 777 jets from Emirates Airline of Dubai in a deal that would be worth nearly $7 billion at list prices, industry officials said Sunday. - More

The oil spill: The latest developments

2010-07-20 23:43:09

Five leaks in and around BP's well are more like "drips" and aren't yet reason to worry, said retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, the national incident commander. - More

Is light rail part of the high-speed solution?

2010-07-19 17:55:05

At a high-speed rail briefing Monday morning, the mayor of Tampa said the Orlando-to-Tampa track should not include a stop at the Tampa International Airport. - More

China's Inflation Pressures May Ease as Property, Lending Cool

2010-07-11 21:43:50

China’s property prices snapped 15 months of gains and bank lending eased in June, indicating that curbs on credit may diminish inflation pressures even as record exports support growth. Real-estate prices in 70 cities fell 0.1 percent from the previous month, the statistics bureau said in Beijing today. New lending of 603 billion yuan ($89 billion) was the least in three months, the central bank said in a report yesterday. - More

Shortages of Phone Hindering Sprint 4G

2010-07-11 21:27:14

Sprint Nextel Corp.'s big bet on its super-fast 4G network is running into stronger-than-expected head winds, Chief Executive Dan Hesse said in an interview. Sprint is still the only U.S. carrier with a 4G network, which offers users faster speeds for data and video. - More

Obama to Outline Plan to Cut H.I.V. Infections

2010-07-11 21:34:09

President Obama will unveil a new national strategy this week to curb the AIDS epidemic by slashing the number of new infections and increasing the number of people who get care and treatment. - More

Judge OKs iPhone class action against Apple, AT&T

2010-07-11 21:38:47

A federal judge says a monopoly abuse lawsuit against Apple Inc. and AT&T Inc.'s mobile phone unit can move forward as a class action. The lawsuit consolidates several filed by iPhone buyers starting in late 2007, a few months after the first generation of Apple's smart phone went on sale. - More

Score One for Style as Spain Wins First World Cup

2010-07-11 21:15:29

JOHANNESBURG — Regulation had spilled into overtime of this fractious game Sunday. The clock was nearly exhausted, as were the players. Soon, the World Cup final would be decided by its harshest verdict, penalty kicks, and skill would give way to nerve and caprice. - More

BP sees progress on new oil containment system

2010-07-11 21:22:17

(Reuters) - BP Plc said on Sunday it is making progress on a new system to capture almost all the oil spewing from its blown-out well in the Gulf of Mexico and a relief well could finally plug the leak by early to mid-August. - More

'Barefoot Bandit' Has Bahamas Buzzing

2010-07-11 21:55:44

A wily teenage thief who hopscotched his way across the U.S. and escaped in a stolen plane to the Bahamas lived up to his legend Wednesday, eluding a manhunt after allegedly committing a new series of break-ins on a normally quiet island. - More

Arlington's Smart Growth

2010-07-12 06:42:43

Arlington County's Transit Oriented Development over the last 40 years is explained in this 11min video. Planner, Bob Brosnan, takes us on a journey from the post war visionary leaders, who laid Arlingtons award winning foundations, to a streetcar future. Brosnan gives a concise definition of Arlingtons Smart Growth, its benefits, and where that growth is headed. - Full Video

California High-Speed Trains: Visual Tour

2010-07-12 06:36:21

A visual tour of the California High Speed Rail system. - FULL VIDEO

Breakfast links: Development chugs along

2010-07-12 07:36:01

Tysons advances to next stage: The Fairfax Board of Supervisors will consider Tysons plans today, but some seem skittish about restrictions (Markham Heid/Examiner) ... The Post chooses more of a person on the street approach to coverage. Some like Tysons, some don't. (Kafia Hosh) - More

Doyle Announces High-Speed Rail Station Location

2010-07-12 09:08:07

Madison's high-speed rail station will be located at the state Department of Administration building in the city's downtown, Gov. Jim Doyle announced.

Florida High Speed Rail Update and DesertXpress News

2010-07-12 09:20:52

Florida's High speed Rail Executive Director, Kevin Thibault, gives an update on the connection from Tampa to Orlando and more news from California's DesertXpress.

Philadelphia Announces New Transit-Oriented Development Plan

2010-07-12 09:43:45

On June 7th, 2010 Mayor Michael Nutter and Senator Bob Casey announced plans for a new transit-oriented development at 9th & Norris Streets near the Temple University train station.

Vision for El Camino Takes Form

2010-07-12 11:43:36

El Camino Real near the Hillsdale Caltrain station is set for some dramatic changes in the future and a development currently under construction on the thoroughfare may offer a glimpse of what the grand boulevard may one day look like. - More

5 Candidates Dip Their Toes in Mayoral Waters

2010-07-12 12:10:41

The five candidates for Honolulu mayor met yesterday in Waipahu, courting West Oahu voters with varying solutions for islandwide problems such as homelessness and illegal fireworks, and specific promises to lessen traffic congestion.- More

Montpelier Master Plan goes Global

2010-07-13 18:00:17

Montpelier planning department staff and volunteers will be traveling to Singapore and the Netherlands next week to speak at three separate events about the master plan, which has been under construction for three years and is close to being adopted by the city.

Cities and towns in Vermont adopt town plans and master plans every five years, which serve as a framework for development, but this is the first major overhaul of Montpelier's plan in 10 years. - More

State of Maine on board with high-speed rail

2010-07-13 18:15:53

Yesterday, in a blog about traveling on high-speed rail lines in Turkey and Italy, I talked about good American jobs and improved service as we begin the challenge of developing a US high-speed rail industry.

It didn't take long for the state of Maine to rise to that challenge. Later in the day, we finalized a grant agreement allowing work to begin on the rehabilitation and expansion of the popular Downeaster Boston-to-Portland Amtrak intercity passenger service. - More

Watershed benefits of smart growth

2010-07-13 18:18:12

Research findings published last year in the Journal of the American Water Resources Association confirm earlier studies by the federal Environmental Protection Agency showing that, for a given increment of development, compact neighborhoods built to a walkable scale reduce stormwater runoff volume. - More

NYC's 34th Street Transitway, CT Downtowns Among Region's Grant Winner

2010-07-13 18:25:50

Today USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood and Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff announced the winners of two competitive grant programs totaling $293 million to help communities implement major bus and streetcar improvements. - More

California Cities shift gears to put density near transportation

2010-07-15 10:59:11

Southern Alameda County cities have plans for about a dozen new transit-oriented communities that will add more housing, new space for jobs and walkable neighborhoods in jurisdictions that once focused on single-family homes and heavy industry. - More

Graham Announces Over $10 Million for South Carolina Airports

2010-07-13 19:41:45

Press Release - U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced more than $10 million in grants to airports in Anderson, Charleston, Chesterfield, Darlington, Greenville, Horry, Laurens, Lexington, and Sumter counties. - More

On-site wind project at the University of Delaware

2010-07-13 19:46:24

US community wind company Sustainable Energy Developments (SED) has completed its largest project to date, a 2 MW wind turbine to power the University of Delaware’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes, Delaware. - More

Alabama spends $2.1 billion of stimulus funds on projects

2010-07-13 19:55:34

Alabama has received two-thirds of its allotted federal stimulus dollars and has spent nearly as much creating or retaining more than 11,800 jobs in the state.

According to the latest reports, Alabama has received more than $2.4 billion in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and spent more than $2.1 billion on projects. The state was awarded $3.7 billion. - More

Phoenix likely to OK Arizona 51/Black Mountain Blvd. link

2010-07-13 19:59:01

The Phoenix City Council is expected to move ahead with plans to connect the Arizona 51 freeway with Black Mountain Boulevard.

It will vote Wednesday on a request to allow the city to enter an intergovernmental agreement with the Arizona Department of Transportation for design and right-of-way acquisition. - More

US House Panel Approves $67.4 Billion Transportation Bill

2010-07-13 20:20:20

The $67.4 billion bill--the bulk of which would go toward traditional infrastructure programs like highway construction and airport renovations--would appropriate $1.4 billion for high-speed and intercity rail programs for the fiscal year that begins in October. - More

Proposed charter changes affect housing and transit

2010-07-13 20:26:06

Oahu voters would get to decide whether the city should create an Office of Housing under one of a handful of proposed Charter amendments advancing in the City Council.

The Council already has approved one ballot question: asking voters whether the city should create a semiautonomous Public Transit Authority to oversee all aspects of the proposed $5.5 billion rail transit project. - More

Rail briefings not widely publicized

2010-07-13 20:29:27

Earlier this year Gov. Linda Lingle's office said it would likely hold hearings on Honolulu's planned $5.5 billion commuter rail line before the governor signed off on the project.

Many thought the state would hold the hearings after the city put out its final Environmental Impact Statement, which was released June 14. - More

Transit officials try to make Reno more bicycle friendly

2010-07-13 20:42:07

Changes have come or are on their way to some Reno-area streets to make them more bicycle friendly.

Bicyclists say the improvements are needed to make a decidedly bicycle-unfriendly town a better — and safer — place to ride. - More

Salaries, benefit costs force RIPTA to consider cutbacks

2010-07-13 20:56:52

The quasi-public transportation authority is dealing with a carryover deficit of $1.6 million from last year’s budget, and an anticipated $2.2 million deficit in the current fiscal year’s budget. - More

VDOT finds $73.5 million in unused transportation funds

2010-07-13 21:03:54

In April, the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee asked VDOT to review unused funds for transportation projects. The money could then go toward more urgent projects.

The money comes from unused or "unobligated balances" on highway projects completed that were funded with Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program and Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) funds. - More

Car is No Longer King When it Comes to To Policy

2010-07-13 21:13:34

Spurred on by the growth of light-rail and commuter-rail networks along the Wasatch Front, mid-sized Murray is joining other cities eager for transit-oriented developments.

“In 10 or 15 years, mass transit will play a critical role in the future success of this valley for economic and environmental purposes,” said Murray Mayor Dan Snarr. - More

Redeveloped Murray downtown could rise near rail stations

2010-07-13 21:18:24

Spurred on by the growth of light-rail and commuter-rail networks along the Wasatch Front, mid-sized Murray is joining other cities eager for transit-oriented developments.

“In 10 or 15 years, mass transit will play a critical role in the future success of this valley for economic and environmental purposes,” said Murray Mayor Dan Snarr. - More

Apartment seekers willing to pay more to be near light rail

2010-07-13 21:21:13

People are willing to pay about 4 percent more a month to rent an apartment within a quarter-mile of a light-rail stop. That's pushing vacancy rates down in those communities, and the cost of land near transit is going up, according to a recent analysis of the apartment market by Grubb & Ellis. - More

Maryland to boost development at transit stops

2010-07-13 21:26:22

Seven transit stops in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties will get development assistance priority for nearby transit-oriented projects, Gov. Martin O’Malley announced Friday.

In Prince George’s County, the Branch Avenue Metro, Naylor Road Metro, Laurel MARC and New Carrollton Metro, MARC and Amtrak stations will be eligible for public assistance from the Maryland Department of Transportation and other state agencies. The assistance could include development incentives, pedestrian access improvements and infrastructure updates. - More

Transit-Oriented zoning to be before Cincinnati Council by September

2010-07-13 21:28:46

Transit-oriented development (TOD) districts could be part of Cincinnati's zoning code as soon as September, after a motion to explore them was adopted last week.

Cincinnati City Councilmember Roxanne Qualls introduced the motion, which directs the Department of City Planning to draft zoning language that would promote the development mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly areas around accessible and convenient transit stations. - More

Talgo project rolls on despite rail debate

2010-07-13 21:32:55

Milwaukee is on track with the remediation of an industrial site for a Spanish train manufacturer despite threats from gubernatorial candidates that they would kill the state’s high-speed rail project. - More

KRM, high-speed rail projects not linked

2010-07-13 21:35:21

Don’t confuse KRM commuter rail with Wisconsin’s high-speed rail initiative that received federal funding earlier this year. That’s the message from Southeastern Regional Transit Authority Chairman Karl Ostby, who said even some politicians have mixed up the two, unrelated projects. - More

Initial $20.3 Million For North Carolina High-Speed Rail

2010-07-13 21:55:35

In January, President Obama announced that North Carolina was awarded $545 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to continue its development of high-speed intercity rail. Today, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation and the State of North Carolina have finalized a grant agreement for $20.3 million, the first installment of the $545 million awarded to the state. - More

Eugene Mayor Urges High-Speed Rail Progress

2010-07-13 22:00:30

Eugene's mayor says the city's role in bringing high speed rail to the Pacific Northwest needs to speed up.

Mayor Kitty Piercy recently returned from the Cascadia Rail Conference in Portland. She says Oregon is slowing down progress on the rail system, which will run from Vancouver, B.C. to Eugene. So at this conference, the Oregon Transportation Commission formed a new committee and selected Mayor Piercy as co-chair. She will represent Eugene, while another co-chair will represent Portland. - More

America in 2050: Urban, Suburban, or Both?

2010-07-13 22:15:10

Last Wednesday night, Joel Kotkin--a futurist and (sub)urban historian--squared off in a debate against Christopher Leinberger, a developer, consultant and proponent of "walkable urbanism." The topic: "America 2050: What Will We Build." The pair tangled on four key issues: demographics; housing supply & demand; transport; and density. Kotkin was in hostile territory: a roomful of Manhattan architects and academics belonging to the Forum for Urban Design. - More

Transportation Systems for Livable Communities Conference

2010-07-13 22:26:39

Transportation to enhance livability has been a common theme in recent years and is an emphasis area for the current Administration. The concept embraces cognate notions such as sustainability, quality of life, the character of place, and the health of communities. - More

Rail-Volution 2010 in Portland, Oregon - October 18-21

2010-09-21 07:31:48

Rail~Volution is, first and foremost, a conference for passionate practitioners - people from all perspectives who believe strongly in the role of land use and transit as equal partners in the quest for greater livability and greater communities. - More

SR 519 - S Seattle Intermodal Access - Royal Brougham

2010-07-14 00:21:55

In the SR 519 project WSDOT improved connections for traffic heading to the Port of Seattle terminals, Colman Dock ferry terminal, central waterfront area and sports stadiums and destinations in Seattle's SODO neighborhood. - More

Bus yard housing plan revived

2010-07-14 06:33:07

A decades-old proposal to transform an aging Muni bus yard near Fisherman’s Wharf into a housing development has resurfaced, and the latest plans call for 220 rental units. - More

American high-speed rail gets moving in North Carolina

2010-07-14 06:40:26

Yesterday's agreement will help North Carolina complete mechanical upgrades and refurbish its passenger coaches and locomotives. This will allow the state to further expand service on its increasingly popular Charlotte-Raleigh run and begin preparing its leg of the Southeast High-Speed Rail corridor. - More

Eagles Landing Parkway Expansion

2010-07-14 06:56:30

The Henry County Board of Commissioners, together with other State and local officials and numerous County staff members, broke ground today on the single largest venture in the SPLOST III Program: the Eagles Landing Parkway Expansion Project. However, due to the hard work and dedication of numerous County staff members and the ardent support of Henry County’s Department of Transportation Board Representatives, SPLOST will not bear the brunt of the project’s cost. Instead, highway stimulus dollars awarded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), will fund the construction of the entire project. - More

New Shipyard intermodal center plan in final stages

2010-07-14 07:41:42

An intermodal transportation center serving commuter boat and bus riders is part of the original vision for the redeveloped Hingham Shipyard.

The overall goal is to provide better-coordinated bus, ferry, and commuter rail service.

The MBTA presented Selectmen with an update recently, along with assurances that the 220 Hingham Centre loop bus is expected to continue. Selectmen Chairman Bruce Rabuffo also asked MBTA Community Relations Representative Pablo Calderon for Greenbush ridership figures and other information, which Calderon promised to provide in the near future. - More

Boise considers a 30th Street urban renewal district

2010-07-14 09:30:55

The deteriorated condition of the 30th Street area makes it eligible to become Boise's next urban renewal area, according to a report from the city's urban renewal agency.

The Capital City Development Corp. will present a preliminary report to the Boise City Council on Tuesday proposing the city create a new urban renewal district between State Street, the Boise River, Veterans Memorial Park and west Downtown. - More

Urban Update: Sustainable Communities

2010-07-14 09:45:34

Whitehouse.gov is hosting a live online event on July 15th at 2pm EDT/11am PDT on sustainable communities, and they want you, the Planetizen audience, to develop the questions. Submit your ideas, vote on other people's questions, then come back to Planetizen next Weds to see a live feed of the event. - More

The Greening of TOD: What the new Federal partnership means for private TOD in metro Denver

2010-07-14 10:55:26

The Obama Administration has mandated a historic collaboration among three Federal agencies: the US Department of Transportation (DOT), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The so-called Obama Trifecta was formed to seed a future of healthy, walkable, compact, transit-friendly and green communities, starting with a series of planning grants announced this summer. - More

California High Speed Rail TOD MarketPlace

2010-07-14 11:03:15

California High Speed Rail TOD MarketPlace

Co-Sponsors: California High-Speed Rail Authority, Reconnecting America - More

MRT Invites City`s Enterprises in Transit Station Development

2010-07-14 11:08:43

PT Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Jakarta plans to develop transit oriented development (TOD)-based stations through partnership with two city-owned enterprises (BUMD), PT Jakarta Tourisindo and PD Pasar Jaya. Both enterprises will develop TOD-based stations on the MRT phase I with the route of Lebak Bulus-Hotel Indonesia. - More

Smart growth packs in the savings, study finds

2010-07-14 11:45:24

A little smart growth goes a long way, a state study has found. Intended to help cities and counties implement SB 375, the analysis weighed 10 years of the status quo against "urban infill and compact growth" geared toward public transit. More

Transit-oriented design competition winners announced, competition featured in Urban Land Institute publication

2010-07-14 16:34:32

The “Creating Better Places” design competition is being conducted by the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council (SWFRPC) for Lee County in cooperation with the City of Fort Myers, Reconnecting Lee County, and Florida Gulf Coast University’s Center for Public and Social Policy. - More

Regional Planning Commission to study high-speed rail options

2010-07-15 11:21:22

The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham is planning to conduct a feasibility study looking into intercity high-speed passenger rail between Birmingham and Atlanta. - More

10th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference: Building Safe, Healthy and Livable Communities Conference

2010-07-15 11:09:37

February 3-5, 2011 - Charlotte, NC
Today, more than ever, we are faced with environmental and economic challenges that will define our generation, shape our future, and test our resilience as cities, regions, states and a nation. Join leaders from across the U.S. as we tackle these challenges head-on and demonstrate smart growth solutions that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, create a green economy, assure a healthy population, and expand transportation and housing options for all Americans. - More

Smart Growth Plan Rejected

2010-07-15 11:27:02

Fears about Property Rights Halt Pearl River County Comprehensive Smart Growth Plan. - More

Gastonia NC Named Most Livable Small US City

2010-07-15 11:31:13

The U.S. Conference of Mayors celebrated mayoral leadership and innovation June 12 by awarding Mayors Mark Mallory of Cincinnati and Jennifer T. Stultz of Gastonia (NC) first place honors in the 2010 City Livability Awards Program. - More

Tempe considers modern streetcars on Mill Ave., transit to Chandler

2010-07-15 11:34:49

Tempe is studying two downtown routes for a modern streetcar that will link the city's center with areas to the south - perhaps eventually as far away as Chandler. - More

Transit Innovation: Transit-Oriented Development in Fruitvale

2010-07-15 11:37:35

Fruitvale is considered one of the best examples of successful transit-oriented development that preserves the cultural integrity of the existing community and enhances the neighborhood’s quality of life. More

NJ Transit Village Program Still Going Strong

2010-07-15 11:39:41

Montclair and Somerville are New Jersey’s newest Transit Villages, the NJDOT announced last week. The towns are the 21st and 22nd to receive the designation, which allows them to apply for $100,000 land use planning and technical assistance grants through the Transit Village program and gives them priority when applying for other state grants. The designation is awarded to municipalities making ongoing efforts to create walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods around public transportation hubs, and is a key part of the state’s efforts to curb emissions and cut traffic. - More

Harbor Point's first rental project fills quickly

2010-07-15 11:36:10

Building and Land Technology, the developer of Harbor Point, announced today that the project’s first major residential component, The Lofts at Yale & Towne, had already leased more than 100 apartments since opening in May. Built within the renovated factory building where padlocks were manufactured for over a century, The Lofts at Yale & Towne are conveniently located between Connecticut’s busiest train station and Stamford’s renewed waterfront. - More

Get ready to ride with Chicago's updated bike map

2010-07-15 11:40:36

Chicagoland bicyclists now have the most up-to-date riding and route information thanks to the release of the 5th Edition Chicagoland Bike Map - More

Another try at BRT in Chicago

2010-07-15 11:43:22

MPC has been working with the Chicago Dept. of Transportation (CDOT) and CTA on a BRT Evaluation Study to analyze potential BRT routes throughout the city, based on characteristics outlined by the livability principles. - More

Goldman Sachs Partners with New York City Agencies to Finance Community Development in Bedford-Stuyvesant Brooklyn

2010-07-15 11:44:09

The NYC Housing Development Corporation (HDC), the NYC Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and BRP Development announced an innovative $45 million real estate transaction to develop much-needed affordable housing and retail space in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.

To be built under Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s New Housing Marketplace Plan (NHMP), the new mixed-use, mixed-income project, called “The Bradford,” will include 105 apartments for low- and middle-income families. - More

Loop transit project is a little engine that darn well could

2010-07-15 12:06:29

The remarkable revival of the Delmar Loop over the last 25 years primarily is the result of the vision, persistence and risk-taking of Joe Edwards, the rock 'n roll bar owner and entrepreneur.

Bringing a trolley back to the district named after the trolley "loop" of long ago also is his brainchild. - More

Marquette Plan: A Lakeshore Reinvestment Strategy for Northwest Indiana

2010-07-15 11:46:52

The Marquette Plan encompasses a comprehensive land use vision — revitalized lakefront for the general public and industry — across the nearly 40 miles of Indiana lakefront. - More

Church-based transit oriented development deemed legal

2010-07-15 11:57:11

A U.S. District Court judge threw out a First Amendment lawsuit against a Virginia church's subsidized housing development, which claimed that their partnership with the county violated separation of church and state. - More

Transit Oriented Development 'Straight Outta Compton' using townhomes

2010-07-15 12:16:47

It looks as though Eazy-E will be able to rest well in his grave knowing the City of Compton is investing some money in making neighborhoods more transit-friendly.

Willow Walk is a new town-home development that is just minutes of walking away from a supermarket, shopping stores, City Hall, rail station, and future transit stop. - More

Plan for Detroit light rail is in the works

2010-07-15 12:18:50

Among other projects, the state will transfer a $25-million federal grant to the city within the next 30 days to allow the Woodward light-rail project to begin moving forward. - More

Minneapolis Advances Streetcar System Plan

2010-07-15 12:21:38

The Minneapolis City Council will endorse 30-year proposal for street-running rail after neglecting the project for a year. The city is expected to move forward with one route in the fall. - More

Miami's Long-Sought Plans for Metro Extensions Dissolve as Funding Disappears

2010-07-15 12:32:00

A northern extension to Broward County line to be pulled out of federal New Starts process as limited tax revenues hit home. - More

Urban Circulator Grants Promise Better Rail and Bus Service to a Select Group of Cities

2010-07-15 12:43:01

After months of anticipation, the U.S. Department of Transportation finally announced the winners of $293 million in grants designated for urban bus and streetcar projects. - More

New look at old problem: Paying for transportation

2010-07-15 12:55:14

Building a transit system (or any transportation system, whether it's highways or canals) creates huge profits for real estate interests – so shouldn’t they pay? - More

2030 Charlotte Area Transit Corridor System Plan

2010-07-15 13:00:22

On November 15, 2006, the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) adopted the 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan. This updated, long-range plan consists of multiple rapid transit improvements in five corridors, a series of Center City improvements, and bus service and facility improvements throughout the region. - More

Oklahoma City Readies Modern Streetcar as Centerpiece of Major Redevelopment Plan

2010-07-15 13:05:36

Oklahoma City councilors endorsed a partnership with the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments with the goal of determining where exactly streetcars will run, and how they’ll be integrated into the existing and future transportation system at a new centralized transit hub. - More

Dorm-Oriented Development (The Future of Urban Shopping Centers?)

2010-07-15 13:11:09

A lot of focus is put on transit-oriented development, and the power of a station to improve the development of a neighborhood, but what about residence halls? - More

Transit Oriented Development in Los Angeles a Tricky Issue

2010-07-15 13:23:22

A debate is simmering in Los Angeles between transit planners, developers, urban planners, and community activists about the future of transit-oriented development. - More

Visioning Rail Transit in NWA

2010-07-15 13:27:14

Visioning Rail Transit in NWA is the first step in helping NWA to envision smart growth development opportunities through context-responsive transportation planning at the regional scale. - More

LA Metro: Promoting Mass Transit

2010-07-15 13:35:21

Los Angeles' Metro is doing something that no transit agency in the country has ever done: it's marketing its products and services as if it were a private company bent on turning a profit. But for Metro marketing isn't about increasing the bottom line. It's about reducing traffic, cleaning the air and making people's commutes in this auto-clogged city a bit less stressful.

LA Metro: Promoting Mass Transit from EMBARQ Network on Vimeo.

News Update: Lockheed Martin to evaluate wireless network architecture for U.S. DOT

2010-07-15 18:42:46

Working with the Department of Transportation, Lockheed Martin will refine and validate the requirements and architecture of a new communications infrastructure, named IntelliDrive, which will ultimately permit safety and traffic systems to communicate. This 15 month contract is valued at approximately $2.6M.

Sen. Plale, Rep. Sinicki: Cautiously optimistic about DOT Hoan Bridge repairs

2010-07-15 19:44:03

Milwaukee – State Senator Jeff Plale (D-South Milwaukee) and State Representative Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement today regarding the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT)’s plans to repair the deck of the Hoan Bridge. - More

Light Rail Study Wins National Award

2010-07-15 20:18:49

GIA announces the release of a global report on Light Rail. Global light rail market is projected to reach $7.5 billion by the year 2015. The market is driven by increasing popularity of light rail transit across various regions, owing to easy accessibility, reliability, and fast transportation services. - More

After I-15 work, freeway to Phoenix will become focus

2010-07-15 20:40:42

Once the Nevada Department of Transportation completes its work on the widening of Interstate 15 from Blue Diamond Road south, Southern Nevada’s most important tourism conduit will be done in Nevada and leaders can turn their attention to other pressing transportation needs, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority was told today. - More

State lawmakers want to use federal money to repair Hoan Bridge

2010-07-15 21:01:41

Two Wisconsin politicians want to use federal money to help repair the ailing Hoan bridge. The money they want to use is stimulus money earmarked for Wisconsin's new high speed rail system. State lawmakers and the Department of Transportation says the Hoan Bridge's support structure is sound, but there's is a problem. Concrete chunks have been falling from the underside of the bridge. - More

Transit system studies smoking ban

2010-07-15 21:18:20

In response to a complaint by a rider, the Winston-Salem Transit Authority is considering banning smoking inside covered bus shelters. - More

DART to discuss job cuts, possible buyouts

2010-07-15 21:28:10

DART now expects to receive some $3 billion less in sales taxes over the next 20 years than it projected as recently as six months ago, and it must trim at least $30 million from annual operating expenses beginning in 2011. - More

Atlanta passenger terminal to seek developer

2010-07-15 22:45:38

Transit advocates who have long frowned at state inaction on mass transit finally might have something to smile about. The state Department of Transportation on Wednesday will unveil plans that it is seeking a private developer to help create a multi-use passenger terminal in downtown Atlanta. - More

Pennsylvania Awarded Nearly $9 Million in Federal Transit Grants, Governor Says

2010-07-15 22:53:10

Governor Ed Rendell touted federal transit grants of nearly $9 million that were awarded to Pennsylvania, but said the money does little to close a $484 million public transit gap. - More

Oil Spill Capped for a Second Day, Offering Some Hope

2010-07-15 22:59:40

The hemorrhaging well that has spilled millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico remained capped for a second day Friday, providing some hope of a long-term solution to the environmental disaster. - More

Obama Hails Passage of Financial Reform

2010-07-15 23:21:41

President Obama praises Congress for passing a financial reform package that brings new accountability to Wall Street and helps provide economic security to individuals, families and businesses.

Because of this reform, the American people will never again be asked to foot the bill for Wall Street's mistakes. There will be no more taxpayer-funded bailouts -- period.

Transit Oriented Development "Straight Outta Compton" using townhomes

2010-07-16 10:26:41

It looks as though Eazy-E will be able to rest well in his grave knowing the City of Compton is investing some money in making neighborhoods more transit-friendly.

Willow Walk is a new town-home development that is just minutes of walking away from a supermarket, shopping stores, City Hall, rail station, and future transit stop.

Though the new development will not be as dense as typical transit-oriented apartment complexes, the town-home idea is a good compromise that is better than typical sprawling houses and still fits into the surroundings.

Look forward to updates on Compton’s attempt at going green as it develops and hope for better use of town-homes elsewhere in the U.S. as well…

32 putts for Woods

2010-07-15 23:30:18

Tiger Woods took 32 putts with the new putter he brought to St. Andrews. That's more than he averaged two weeks ago with his old one. Not that it seemed to bother Woods. Nor did it keep golf's No. 1 attraction from one of his best rounds of his post-scandal comeback. - More

Goldman Sachs Settles Over Fraud Charges

2010-07-15 23:34:39

Google Falls After Costs of Research, Marketing Crimp Profit

2010-07-15 23:39:26

Google Inc. dropped as much as 5.1 percent in late trading yesterday after the company reported second-quarter profit that missed estimates, weighed down by a surge in spending. - More

Iran Nuke Defector Left Behind $5 Million In CIA Cash

2010-07-15 23:49:40

The Iranian nuclear scientist who returned to Tehran today left behind some $5 million he was promised by the CIA as part of "benefits package" offered by the CIA's National Resettlement Operations Center, US officials tell ABC News. - More

Dorsey MARC station development approved

2010-07-16 10:53:03

With an eye toward potential customers from expanding federal agencies nearby, developers proposing a mixed-use community near the Dorsey MARC train station in Elkridge got final approval for their plan from a split Howard County Zoning Board.

The board voted 3-2 to approve a specific plan for Oxford Square, the proposed residential/commercial project on 122 acres across Route 100 from the train station. The site is vacant land once expected to hold a Coca-Cola bottling plant.

New Jersey Transit Plans `Quiet' Railcars on Trenton-to-New York Route

2010-07-16 19:50:18

New Jersey Transit will become the largest U.S. transit agency to provide designated quiet railcars when it begins a 90-day test of the service on its Trenton-to- New York line Sept. 7. The biggest statewide transit system will roll out a program similar to one used by Amtrak on its Acela and Northeast Regional trains on the East Coast.

Passengers in quiet cars will be asked to refrain from using mobile phones, talking loudly and operating electronic devices with sound. - More

Transit Cuts, an Agony Without End

2010-07-16 20:02:07

Wednesday was Bastille Day, a fitting day for public hearings on the latest cuts planned for the subways. You just knew there was a guillotine around, poised to drop on a lot of people. - More

Houston TranStar has one main responsibility: keep traffic moving

2010-07-16 20:06:36

Houston TranStar has one main responsibility: keep traffic moving. However, in a city as large as Houston where thousands of cars are on roadways throughout the day, this task takes a highly organized and efficient system. - More

What should I ask Ray LaHood?

2010-07-16 20:14:18

I'm excited to announce that next Thursday, I will be moderating a panel at the Netroots Nation conference featuring US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. The Netroots Nation conference is an annual gathering of progressive bloggers, online activists, and people who follow politics through blogs and other social media. - More

Ohio aims to expand 3C rail project

2010-07-16 20:22:03

Toledo and Pittsburgh are among the next cities that Ohio wants to connect as part of its developing passenger rail project, state transportation officials said Thursday, raising the possibility of a route through Licking County. - More

BP Oil Well Cap Holds as Scientists Analyze Test Results

2010-07-17 05:51:55

Oil company BP says the giant cap it placed over a blown-out well appears to be holding, as engineers work around the clock to analyze pressure readings, temperature gauges and underwater images. - More

Senator Brown's jobless bill wins little support

2010-07-17 05:55:16

Scott Brown, with some justification, makes frequent claims to bipartisanship. But as the Republican senator from Massachusetts prepared to cast another vote next week against an extension of benefits for jobless Americans, he expressed frustration.

Democrats, he said, never gave his alternative plan to extend benefits a serious look. - More

Apple's iPhone Fix

2010-07-17 06:03:20

What the antenna issue means for Steve Jobs and the overall brand.

5 mass-transit options for Stewart International Airport will be revealed

2010-07-17 07:09:29

Two regional transportation agencies have come up with a handful of mass-transit options regarding the best ways to connect Stewart International Airport with New York City and the tri-state area. The five alternatives will be announced Tuesday at an open house in Orange County. It is scheduled to run from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 15 Crossroads Court, Newburgh. - More

Three Mid-Valley projects recommended to ease transportation

2010-07-17 07:18:36

Three Mid-Valley projects are among the 41 recommended for a cut of $95 million from lottery-backed bonds for nonhighway transportation work. - More

Mesa bus, light-rail riders face budget cutbacks

2010-07-17 07:33:45

Arizona's budget crisis hits Mesa streets in the form of bus and light-rail service cuts beginning July 26. The changes are part of a Valley-wide overhaul of mass-transit schedules as a result of legislative action earlier this year.

Lawmakers eliminated a program that pumped $22 million a year from the state Lottery into local transportation, and cities don't have the cash to make up for the loss. - More

$100K grant to aid downtown Shreveport revitalization

2010-07-17 10:28:50

A plan to make Common Street an artistic gateway to downtown Shreveport has stepped closer to reality with news that the proposal won a $100,000 grant.

Shreveport is one of 21 cities — out of a pool of more than 200 applicants — throughout the United States that will receive revitalization grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. - More

California high-speed rail ridership forecast not reliable, study finds

2010-07-17 10:38:17

The California High-Speed Rail Authority's forecasts of demand and ridership for a new San Francisco-to-Los Angeles high-speed train are not reliable because they are based on an inconsistent model, according to a new study by researchers at the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Berkeley (ITS Berkeley). - Download Study

National Coverage of EDR Group's Study of High Speed Rail and American Cities

2010-07-17 11:00:55

EDR Group's Stephen Fitzroy presented study findings at the US Conference of Mayors annual meeting and at the National High Speed Rail Conference at New York University, June 2010

For the US Conference of Mayors, EDR Group conducted a study of the local economic development impacts and opportunities associated with development of high speed rail (HSR) service to selected American cities. - View Copy of Report

Connecting (and transforming) the future of transportation

2010-07-17 11:42:13

Recognizing that no single solution will save the day for transportation in this rapidly urbanizing and increasingly complex world, a groundswell of transportation innovation is arising worldwide. However these innovations are too rarely linked and optimized in a way that can provide a convenient, practical, affordable and sustainable door-to-door trip for the user.

The next generation of urban transportation is about connecting transportation modes, services, and technologies, bringing diverse innovations together in ways that favour accessibility (meeting needs) over mobility (moving for the sake of moving), and that work significantly better for people, economies, and the planet. - More

Boards wrestle with transit center plans

2010-07-18 06:39:15

It seems almost certain that Troy and Birmingham are going to build a transit center. After all, the two cities have a boatload of federal grant money to build it.

But what they intend to build is still up for debate. Planning board members from the two cities met Wednesday, only to agree they don't like the current set of site plans for the project. In particular, they have concerns over a proposed $2 million building that will serve as the center's main hub where passengers can wait for a train, bus or taxi to arrive. - More

Transit stations around Dakota County spur commercial growth

2010-07-21 17:39:27

As commercial and residential developments grow at a glacial pace, and as some commercial centers around the south metro lose tenants, at least one type of development survives these uncertain times: the mixed-use, transit-oriented development. - More

Expert says Virginia-to-DC rail would run at $1 billion surplus

2010-07-22 09:09:05

A railroad consultant predicts that high-speed trains between Hampton Roads and Washington would not only be popular, but also highly profitable – operating at surpluses of up to $1 billion a year. - More

U.S. Mayors: High-Speed Rail Would Bring Billions of Dollars to Cities

2010-07-22 09:13:48

Want to create billions of dollars in new business and thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of new jobs? Build high-speed rail in your region. - More

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announce federal commitment to Woodward light rail

2010-07-22 09:36:07

Ray LaHood, the U.S. Department of Transportation secretary, is expected to soon make an announcement in Detroit related to a financial commitment by the Obama administration for the $425 million Woodward Avenue light rail project. - More

Alaska Railroad barred from spraying weed killers

2010-07-22 09:44:20

A judge on Monday extended an order preventing the Alaska Railroad from spraying weed killers on a section of track until Alaska's high court can review the state-issued permit. - More

Buffalo Project Aims to Ease Boulvard Backups

2010-07-22 10:00:05

A trouble spot for motorists on Niagara Falls Boulevard at the I-290 should be history by the end of the year. - More

DART Receives Federal Grant for Downtown Streetcar Connector

2010-07-22 13:26:55

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is scheduled to receive $4.9 million from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) as part of the $130 million Urban Circulator Grant Program. - Full Video

Union Depot Project

2010-07-22 14:03:04

Updated animation and 3D modeling of Ramsey County's Union Depot renovation project in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota, by the project team. Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2010. Operations are scheduled to begin in fall 2012. - Full Video

Winnipeg approves light rail plan

2010-07-22 15:24:53

Phase one of Winnipeg’s planned rapid transit system using dedicated busways is already under construction from downtown to Jubilee Avenue, and is expected to be complete in 2011. - Full Video

Light rail riders: Satisfied with MTA answers?

2010-07-22 15:30:31

Last Saturday, on the busy day in the middle of Artscape weekend, several light rail riders reported that they stood at various station for periods of 45 minutes to an hour without seeing a train headed downtown and without being informed by the Maryland Transit Administration of problems on the line. - More

CATS to apply for $20 million grant for light rail extension

2010-07-22 15:45:02

CHARLOTTE -- The Charlotte Area Transit System has until Monday to submit an application for a $20 million federal grant to help pay for a two-block extension of the Lynx Blue Line light rail. - Full Video

Sen. Landrieu: $150 million for Smart Growth & Sustainable Development

2010-07-22 16:46:07

Excerpt: The THUD Appropriations Bill contains funding to continue initiatives for smart growth and sustainable development, including $150 million for sustainable development nationwide that Sen. Landrieu helped to secure. - More

Oil Rig Alarm Was Not Fully Turned On, Worker Says

2010-07-23 10:58:23

KENNER, La. — The emergency alarm on the Deepwater Horizon was not fully activated on the day the oil rig caught fire and exploded, triggering the massive spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a rig worker on Friday told a government panel investigating the accident. - More

TOD making silent progress in Leander, Texas

2010-07-23 08:52:20

The Transit-Oriented Development is quietly, slowly progressing toward the city’s long-term goal despite setbacks dealt to developers and the city by the economy. - More

Some MARTA layoffs: drastic or long overdue?

2010-07-23 09:02:39

MARTA plans to eliminate 734 positions and lay off more than 300 employees, in response to falling revenues from the 1-cent sales tax it receives from Fulton and DeKalb counties. - More

L.A. officials to mark 20th anniversary of Metro Rail system

2010-07-23 09:07:06

Los Angeles officials will hold a major event Friday near Staples Center to mark the 20-year expansion of urban rail service in the county and what they see as a dynamic shift that will transform the nation's car capital into a model for mass transit. - More

Tropical Storm in Gulf Halts Spill Response Efforts

2010-07-23 09:13:59

A tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico has forced the evacuation of response vessels at the site of BP’s blown-out oil well, further stalling efforts to permanently seal the well. - More

Feinberg: Unfair to Ask Firms to Return Payouts

2010-07-23 09:24:38

WASHINGTON—U.S. "pay czar" Kenneth Feinberg on Friday declined to request 17 financial firms that doled out $1.6 billion in "ill advised" executive compensation to return the excessive payouts, saying to do so would be unfair to the companies and could trigger private lawsuits and additional Congressional investigation. - More

Sherrod regards Obama's call as apology

2010-07-23 09:27:11

The former Agriculture Department employee at the center of a political firestorm said Friday that President Barack Obama didn't literally say he was "sorry" when they spoke Thursday, but "by simply calling me," she believed he was apologizing. - More

Development deal for land near New Carrollton Metro station

2010-07-23 10:50:11

Metro's board of directors approved an agreement Thursday that will allow Maryland and the transit authority to develop 41 acres they own around the New Carrollton Metro station, a first step in transforming the area into an urban center.

Last month, Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) stood outside the Naylor Road Station and announced plans for a state agency to relocate near a Metro station in Prince George's County. - More

High Speed Rail 2010

2010-07-23 11:02:47

Don't miss this exciting high speed rail event of the year - High Speed Rail 2010! The Big Apple is the place to be November 14-16.

Business and political leaders will come together with the world's top experts to bring high speed rail to America. High speed rail is revolutionizing the rest of the world, and now its America's turn. Be part of the excitement in New York City on November 14.

The National Housing Conference

2010-07-23 17:25:43

The National Housing Conference, Center for Housing Policy and its partners will explore the intersection of housing and transportation in Denver, Sept. 27-28, in a Partners in Innovation national symposium. - More

PUBLIC AGENDA: City Council; High-Speed Rail Committee

2010-07-23 17:36:48

The committee plans to discuss a contract for engineering on-call services with Hatch Mott MacDonald and pending legislation relating to California's high-speed rail project. - More

Construction to Begin on Chicago to St. Louis High-Speed Rail Route

2010-07-23 17:43:56

Governor Pat Quinn today announced that construction will begin in early September on the Chicago to St. Louis high-speed rail route. An agreement between the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Union Pacific Railroad will allow upgrades to be made on an initial 90-mile segment of Union Pacific track to prepare it for high-speed rail. - More

High-speed rail draws concerns in Henderson, NC

2010-07-23 19:33:07

A planned high-speed rail line that will eventually connect Charlotte to Washington, D.C., has some communities between Raleigh and Richmond, Va., concerned about how the service could affect them. - More

Beacon's plan must include waterfront

2010-08-10 14:10:35

That might be the best way to describe the City of Beacon's intentions to work with Metro-North Railroad officials on a key but controversial waterfront development project. - More

2030 Smartgrowth Plan for Tennessee's fifth largest city

2010-07-23 19:51:04

One of Tennessee's fastest growing cities has big plans for the future. Clarksville city leaders unveiled their Smartgrowth 2030 Plan Friday. It is a blueprint of where the Montgomery County town will go in the next 20 years. - Full Video

Detroit's Woodward Light Rail Project

2010-07-23 20:32:43

The Detroit Transit Options for Growth Study (DTOGS), led by the Detroit Department of Transportation, is recommending a light rail transit (LRT) line along approximately eight miles of Woodward Avenue from downtown to Eight Mile Road as the best opportunity to begin building a regional rapid transit system in the Detroit area. - Full Demo

Durbin upbeat on high-speed rail in Illinois

2010-07-24 00:28:40

Sen. Dick Durbin said Friday that giving the Union Pacific Railroad $98.3 million in federal money for track improvements without an agreement in place to allow high-speed passenger rail is still a good idea. - More

COG to pay Krusee, three others $1.3 million to find 'innovative' funding for Cotton Belt line

2010-07-26 06:51:51

The North Central Texas Council of Governments' executive board hired a four-person team that includes a retired lawmaker and a leading urban planner from North Texas to develop a plan to fund the Cotton Belt commuter rail line, a 62-mile corridor officials hope could be open to service by 2013.

The group, which includes former House transportation chairman Mike Krusee, will be paid up to $1.3 million for a plan, which is expected by year's end. - More

Proposed rail complex could be catalyst for development

2010-07-26 07:01:04

TAMPA - Someone looking for the future site of Tampa's high-speed rail station can follow the arrow on a Morgan Street sign: Load & Unload Inmates Only.

It's a reminder of the county jail demolished on land that is destined to become part of an 8.34-acre transportation center that officials hope will be a catalyst to redevelop a hardscrabble fringe of downtown.

By early 2015, when high-speed trains are expected to begin running hourly between Tampa, Lakeland and Orlando, the area will lose a private investigation firm, a closed Jamaican restaurant, a hazardous-chemical waste company and a 50-year-old blueprint company. - More

Leaked Afghan reports reveal 'war crimes,' campaigner claims

2010-07-26 07:09:59

London, England (CNN) -- Leaked United States military reports from Afghanistan appear to contain "evidence of war crimes," the man who published them said Monday.

WikiLeaks.org -- a whistleblower website -- published what it says are about 76,000 United States military and diplomatic reports about Afghanistan filed between 2004 and January of this year. - More

Tony Hayward is about to get his life back

2010-07-26 09:03:49

Tony Hayward is about to get his life back. According to multiple news reports, the embattled CEO is expected to step down after the board discusses and approves his exit in a meeting today. One of the biggest questions many will be asking: What took them so long?

After all, Hayward's departure has been practically inevitable for weeks now. First, of course, there was his seemingly unrivaled propensity, at least among corporate CEOs, for public relations gaffes. His comment that "I would like my life back" and his logic that the Gulf of Mexico's large size meant the spill was "relatively tiny" were nearly insurmountable amidst the politically charged atmosphere.- More

New home sales rebound 24%

2010-07-26 09:06:55

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- New home sales rebounded in June from the record low hit the previous month but remained sluggish.

New home sales increased 23.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 330,000 last month, up from an downwardly revised 267,000 in May, the Commerce Department reported Monday. Sales year-over-year fell 16.7%.- More

Burien transit garage approved

2010-07-26 13:02:04

King County Council members OK'd last week a joint funding agreement for the Burien Transit Center's parking garage.

Sound Transit board directors were also expected to approve the deal.

Construction is expected to begin by late September. - More

Sacramento County may open 20,000 acres to development

2010-07-27 08:08:01

Despite a home construction collapse caused by the recession, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors is considering opening 20,000 acres of land to future development.

When combined with existing open parcels, the expansion could hold a city two-thirds the size of Sacramento. Even county planners have warned that the plan would provide a "substantial excess supply" of land. - More

More Than $70M Coming to Hawaii for Transportation, Housing, Urban Development Projects

2010-07-27 08:31:02

WASHINGTON - Hawaii will receive more than $70 million for transportation, housing and urban development projects, including $55 million for the completion of preliminary engineering and the final design of the Honolulu rail transit project, Senate Committee on Appropriations Chairmen Daniel K. Inouye announced today.

The full committee voted 17-12 with Senator Inouye voting in favor of the measure. The bill now goes before the full Senate for a vote before progressing to conference with House conferees. - More

Mass. Gov. Patrick Celebrates Groundbreaking Of Southfield Redevelopment Project

2010-07-27 08:37:33

WEYMOUTH, Mass. /Massachusetts Newswire/ — As part of his historic $4 billion Massachusetts Works program that will put nearly 20,000 people to work across the Commonwealth, Governor Deval Patrick today joined with federal, state and local leaders to celebrate the beginning of the redevelopment of the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station. Today’s event included breaking ground on Phase I of the new Southfield East-West Parkway, as well as announcing the first vertical constructions projects to begin onsite. This project was jump-started by several key investments made by the Patrick-Murray Administration as well as a significant infusion of federal funds, and will lead to thousands of construction and permanent jobs. - More

Transitway funding likely to ensure project's completion

2010-07-27 09:14:55

STAMFORD -- U.S. Rep. Jim Himes and Stamford Mayor Mike Pavia announced Monday that the U.S. House Appropriations Committee has approved $1 million for the completion of the Stamford Urban Transitway.

The project is a realignment of streets and roads that is intended to make it easier for commuters to access I-95, the bus system, the train station and downtown. It aims to build a one-mile corridor linking Elm Street to the Stamford Transportation Center. - More

Blagojevich lawyer may be muzzled

2010-07-27 09:43:34

Was it a showdown or merely showtime?

Closing arguments at the corruption trial of Rod Blagojevich took a sharp detour Monday as one of the former governor's lawyers all but vowed to defy an order barring him from calling out the prosecution for failing to summon key witnesses to testify. - More

Transit stations around Dakota County spur commercial growth

2010-07-27 12:25:38

The past decade has seen the construction of at least three heavily used transit stations that either spawned adjacent development or were constructed in the vicinity of already-established mixed uses. - More

Feds reject Utah's application for $175 million in school money

2010-07-27 12:31:19

Utah will not win $175 million for school reform in this round of the federal Race to the Top competition, education officials announced this morning.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced 19 finalists for the money, but Utah was not among them. - More

SDOT tries bike boxes to protect cyclists

2010-07-27 16:06:43

The Seattle Department of Transportation is installing "bike boxes" at three intersections to better prevent collisions between cyclists and vehicles turning right. Bike boxes are painted behind crosswalks at signalized intersections.

They're about 12 to 14 feet wide and sit in front of traffic, giving bicyclists a place pull in front of vehicles while waiting for the light. Since cars must wait behind cyclists, it increases the cyclist's visibility and reduces the risk of the driver hooking right and striking them. - More

NTSB: DC rail crash came from lax oversight

2010-07-27 16:15:31

WASHINGTON — A faulty electronic circuit that caused a deadly Metro crash last summer was symptomatic of an "anemic safety culture" at the D.C. area's transit agency, the National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday. - More

Montana wind power development languishing since 2005

2010-07-27 16:41:06

HELENA - In the five years since Montana customers of NorthWestern Energy started getting power from the state's first major wind farm, at Judith Gap, development of wind power for consumption by Montanans has languished. - More

Union Pacific's CEO Young Says U.S. Congress Discouraging Rail Investment

2010-07-27 16:47:34

Union Pacific Corp.’s chief executive officer said U.S. lawmakers are discouraging needed investment even as federal transit authorities call for $77.7 billion in rail- and bus-system improvements. - More

N.H. officials send pre-application for federal bridge funding

2010-07-27 16:57:47

PORTSMOUTH — As officials begin to grapple with the cost associated with different bridge upgrade options, transportation leaders from New Hampshire have taken the first step in requesting $20 million in federal grants to replace Memorial Bridge. - More

Department of Transportation's road work goes high-tech

2010-07-27 17:08:03

With more than 8,500 miles of highways in the state and an additional 1,000 or so miles of interstate, planning road construction projects is a daunting task. - More

Funding Available to Renovate Shelterbelts and Restore Forested Riparian Areas

2010-07-27 17:17:25

PIERRE, S.D. - Agriculture producers in South Dakota are now eligible to renovate shelterbelts and restore forested riparian buffers under two Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) projects. - More

Proposed $8.2 billion underground rail loop in Australia

2010-07-27 18:46:19

Just over a decade ago, governments in Australia were immune to calls for accelerated infrastructure investment in our major urban centres. Plans for strategic reinvestment were rare. - More

Bike trail study under way

2010-07-27 20:38:48

SPRINGFIELD — A dedicated bike trail through the south side is likely still a few years off, but the city has taken a first step on that path. - More

Governor O'Malley Unveils Plans for First Phase of State Center Redevelopment

2010-07-28 07:34:58

BALTIMORE, MD (July 27, 2010) - Joined by local officials, construction workers, community leaders and others today, Governor Martin O'Malley announced plans for the first phase of the landmark State Center redevelopment project in the heart of Baltimore City. Pending Board of Public Works approval tomorrow, the State will lease 500,000 square feet of newly developed office space in the first of two new buildings to be built on the 28-acre site by a state-selected private development team. The five-phase, 15-year redevelopment is the culmination of six years of planning, and is expected to bring nearly 10,000 jobs during the construction phase and more than 5,400 permanent, private-sector jobs to the heart of Baltimore City when the project is complete, in addition to more than 4,800 indirect and induced jobs upon the project's completion. - More

A blueprint for reinventing city planning in Los Angeles

2010-07-28 07:45:38

The Daily News challenged Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to tackle a number of issues in his final three years in office. This is the mayor's response to Sunday's Master Plan L.A., the first in a series of editorials laying out the issues the Daily News believes he should address.

My vision for Los Angeles is a city of elegant density surrounded by transit corridors, green streets, sustainable neighborhoods, thriving small businesses and a quality of life that is the envy of the nation.- More

Bellingham's first Transportation Tailgate set for Saturday

2010-07-28 09:06:01

BELLINGHAM - The first Transportation Tailgate, a discussion of transportation's role in a community's livability, will be held on top of the downtown Parkade parking structure. - More

Beacon rebuffs MTA proposal

2010-07-28 09:28:00

BEACON — The City Council has decided not to consider or advance the Metro-North Railroad transit-oriented development in its current form. - More

State of Sprawl: NJ's Urbanization Continues

2010-07-28 09:39:46

Newswise — Though its population has increased only slightly, urban development in New Jersey continued—and even gained momentum—over a 21-year span ending in 2007, according to a new study by researchers at Rowan and Rutgers universities. - More

B.F. Saul tapped for Wheaton 8.2 acre WMATA development

2010-07-29 23:28:42

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and Montgomery County have tapped B.F. Saul to build a mixed-use, transit-oriented development on 8.2 acres of public land near the Red Line's Wheaton Metro station. - More

The Clearfield Front Runner Station

2010-08-01 14:41:56

For those of you that had the pleasure of spending time at the Clearfield Front Runner station, you should ride on the UTA bus routes that services the station. - More

Alabama ready to extend Research Park Boulevard

2010-08-01 14:54:12

HUNTSVILLE, AL - Work is expected to start in the coming months to ease congestion on Research Park Boulevard south of and at the Alabama 53 intersection. - More

LINK Light Rail Marks One-Year Anniversary

2010-08-01 15:13:40

LINK light rail celebrates a one-year anniversary this week. Sound Transit says its system has effectively reduced congestion in our region, and taken drivers off the road. But critics say our light rail system has a long way to go. - More

AASHTO Honors 3 State DOT Photographers

2010-08-01 15:19:48

Three state transportation department photographers are being honored as winners of the "Faces of Transportation" competition sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. - More

All aboard Rell's Railroad

2010-08-01 15:24:27

Prepare for a lot more bumpy rides because the state will spend about $2 billion less this year than it should on transportation, according to a new state Transportation Strategy Board study. - More

Carrollton, GA awaits state DOT greenbelt approval

2010-08-01 15:29:21

The city of Carrollton is still waiting for final Georgia Department of Transportation approval before it can move forward on the 13-mile greenbelt project, but city officials say the OK could come any day. - More

PennDOT: 21 and unders, are responsible for the most crashes statewide

2010-08-01 15:41:27

It's the leading cause of death for teenagers across the U.S., but when they turn 16 it's time to drive no matter what. But sometimes the privilege turns tragic. More

Planners see Publix as anchor of Clarksville 'Midtown'

2010-08-01 16:24:27

Its groundbreaking is still a week away, but planners already have big ideas for what the arrival of Publix can do for Madison Street. - More

2nd Annual Village-building Convergence

2010-08-01 16:32:12

The second annual village-building convergence will take place once again in Montpelier. Join Transition Town Montpelier and a host of sponsors for a free 9-day celebration bringing community members together to share vital skills for a changing world. There will be workshops, projects, and community conversations on topics including, transportation, health and food and energy options. Learn more at, www.vbc-vt.org .

Office of Smart Growth Not Smart Enough for Lt. Governor

2010-08-01 16:44:06

The Office of Smart Growth is not living up to its billing, according to the Christie administration. - More

Chicopee City Council committee, Planning Board approve amended 'smart growth' zone

2010-08-01 16:56:15

CHICOPEE - City Councilors and the Planning Board approved an amended proposal to reduce the size of a so-called smart growth zone, even though some residents complained the zone is still too large. - More

Town of Chester to join MTA-tax suit

2010-08-01 17:21:57

Town of Chester officials plan to join a lawsuit that Nassau County filed against the state and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Thursday to challenge a reviled payroll tax that the struggling transit agency imposed last year. - More

Chicago's $98 Million Southeast Side development project

2010-08-01 18:00:04

The long-dormant expanse of lakefront property that once housed the U.S. Steel South Works plant inched closer to rebirth as a new Southeast Side community on Wednesday when Mayor Richard Daley asked the City Council to kick in up to $98 million in infrastructure costs. - More

Major redevelopment project approved in San Francisco

2010-08-01 18:07:24

San Francisco supervisors today gave final approval to a landmark redevelopment project in the city's economically depressed Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood. - More

70-acre retail and commercial complex in Casper, WY

2010-08-01 18:15:41

The Blackmore Marketplace would house 500,000 to 600,000 square feet of stores, offices and other businesses, according to plans presented Thursday at a Casper City Council work session. The project would be built in four phases, with the first anchored around a Kohl's department store. - More

Light rail gets Obama push

2010-08-01 18:22:59

The up to $500 million public-private effort to build a light-rail loop on Detroit's Woodward Avenue has gained initial support from the Obama administration and soon will begin the environmental impact study process that could qualify it for up to 80 percent federal funding, organizers say. - More

Bike trail-bus project on track

2010-08-01 23:30:18

EDWARDSVILLE - A $4 million transit district project that has inconvenienced drivers on one of the city's busiest roads for months is on track for a November completion. - More

Study: Planned Trans-Hudson Tunnel Will Boost Home Values

2010-08-02 07:15:37

STATE – A study funded in part by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey finds that a planned trans-Hudson passenger rail tunnel will boost home values near train stations on NJ TRANSIT lines by $19,000 on average. - More

UTA trustees OK stricter conflict-of-interest policy

2010-08-02 07:39:12

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Transit Authority trustees Friday passed a more stringent rule to guide their own behavior around transit-oriented developments.

The conflicts-of-interest policy at UTA now matches a law passed last spring at the Legislature, prohibiting trustees from owning property at or near such developments. If they do, they must either resign from the board or sell the land. - More

Metro-North has qualms about Beacon changes to transit-oriented development

2010-08-02 08:15:57

BEACON — Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials remain willing to work with the city on development at the Beacon train station. - More

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announces launch of environmental study

2010-08-02 16:20:22

As expected, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced this morning that the $400 million to $500 million Woodward Avenue light rail project is launching the required environment study process needed to qualify the effort for federal funding. - More

New York City Transit project revived after three-year holdup

2010-08-02 16:28:26

Passing on the latest information pertaining to the New York City Transit, Kevin Ortiz, a spokesman for the project, revealed that after a nearly three-year holdup, work will soon commence on a $200 million plan that aims at bringing mobile-phone and Wi-Fi service to the subway stations in New York. - More

A look under the hood of Metro's 30/10 Initiative to build transit quicker

2010-08-02 09:58:05

The 30/10 Initiative got some nice coverage this weekend from local AP scribe Daisy Nguyen. Her story hit the wires today and I see it’s already been picked up by the Washington Post. - More

Two views on Eastern Corridor Project

2010-08-02 21:48:17

The city of Cincinnati is standing in the way of light rail's benefits, Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune charges in an Enquirer guest column. Cincinnati City Council members Roxanne Qualls and Jeff Berding respond that the city isn't opposed; the plan just isn't ready yet. - More

Connecticut To Invest $260 Million For New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Line

2010-08-03 11:38:00

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that $260 million in state funding for a dramatic upgrade of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail corridor is expected to gain approval when the state Bond Commission meets August 11 in Hartford. - More

Peninsula, business groups rail over high-speed

2010-08-03 21:53:29

Arguments over California's high-speed rail just got a whole lot more heated. Last week, the head of the Bay Area Council took an epistolary 2-by-4 to the mayors and city councils of five Peninsula cities, citing their "obstructionist policies" in connection with California's most ambitious infrastructure project of the past 50 years. - More

Groups urge gubernatorial candidates to focus on mass transit

2010-08-06 07:11:50

A coalition of regional planning and transportation groups called Wednesday for gubernatorial candidates to make state transportation policy that fosters bus and rail projects and development around transit stations, along with raising new project revenues through tolls and offering tax credits to jump-start denser development around in urban areas. - More

Republicans Blast Livable Communities, Bill as Washington Based Central Planning for Cities and Towns

2010-08-06 07:22:45

The Senate Banking Committee passed the Livable Communities Act on Tuesday, moving the bill one step closer to final passage. The bill creates $4 billion in neighborhood planning grants for “sustainable” living projects and a new federal office to oversee them. - More

Limerick board supports Route 422 master plan, but not tolling

2010-08-06 07:36:18

Although endorsing a master plan for the Route 422 corridor, Limerick Township supervisors have distanced themselves from the idea of turning the highway into a toll road. - More

(TOD) Urban Case Study: Davis Square, Somerville, Massachusetts

2010-08-06 08:06:54

Davis Square has long been the primary commercial center in Somerville, a city of 76,000 adjacent to Cambridge and Boston. Prior to World War II, the Square, which grew up around freight railroad tracks, flourished as a center of industry and commerce. - More

Canyon-Johnson Urban Funds Partners with Preston Capital Management to Purchase 122 Acres in the Baltimore-Washington Corridor

2010-08-09 06:50:39

The Canyon-Johnson Urban Funds (CJUF) has provided $17.5 million in preferred equity capital for the acquisition, re-zoning and pre-development of two land parcels in Hanover, Maryland. The 122-acres are currently the single largest undeveloped transit-oriented development (TOD)-zoned property in the region and will serve as the future home of Oxford Square, a new, 1.6 million square foot mixed-use community. - More

Pa. invests $9M more into Dranoffs Ardmore Station project

2010-08-09 07:05:32

Ardmore Station, the long-proposed redevelopment of Ardmore in and around its rail station, got a $9 million infusion from the state's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. -More

Canyon-Johnson Invests in 1.6M-SF Oxford Square

2010-08-10 14:15:40

HANOVER, Md. - Canyon-Johnson Urban Funds (CJUF) has kicked in $17.5 million of equity for a 122-acre purchase, rezoning and pre-development proposal for a future transit-oriented development (TOD), Oxford Square. - More

With ConnDOT at Crossroads, What's next for CT Transportation

2010-08-10 08:28:59

Connecticut’s next governor will inherit a Department of Transportation that was halfway towards becoming a model of progressive reform when Commissioner Joe Marie resigned in June. To build on the gains that the state has made in sustainable transportation over the past few years, the new governor must institutionalize those policies and find the revenue to support them. - More

Will Florida Imperil the Future of High Speed Rail?

2010-08-10 15:28:35

With the full backing of President Obama and $8 billion in federal grants awarded last year, it seems that the dream of high-speed rail in the U.S. will be a reality by mid-decade. The first HSR line, connecting Tampa and Orlando, will be open for business by 2015. - More

The missing link

2010-08-10 15:39:58

Ask almost anyone what they don’t like about Baton Rouge, and traffic is invariably among the top two or three complaints. That was the state of things when the Center for Planning Excellence held its first Smart Growth Summit five years ago, and that remains the case today. - More

County Commission to vote on development rules

2010-08-11 11:41:15

In January, county commissioners approved a long-term plan for future growth through a Comprehensive Plan policy that envisioned mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods linked by a future bus rapid transit system. - More

Work Begins On Historic SF High-Speed Rail Station

2010-08-11 12:10:55

SAN FRANCISCO -- Although financing plans for California’s high-speed rail line are still being determined, officials Wednesday were set to host the historic groundbreaking of the San Francisco station -- northern terminus of the proposed $43 billion line. -more

Senate Banking Committee Passes Livable Communities Act

2010-08-16 08:02:20

The Senate Banking Committee recently voted to approve the Livable Communities Act, a proposal to create more sustainable and energy-efficient communities. The bill...More

Advocates on Both Coasts Call Bragdon a Smart Choice to Lead PlaNYC

2010-08-12 11:30:53

In appointing David Bragdon, the president of the Portland-area Metro Council, to run the Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability, Mayor Bloomberg turned to an established elected figure with a track record of progressive planning. What will he bring to New York City? - More

Bozzuto-Pritzker venture to invest in Catholic University apartment project

2010-08-16 07:37:37

Tom Bozzuto and Penny Pritzker have made a first bet with their new $75 million apartment fund and it is on Jim Abdo's Catholic University project, a major equity investment in new housing construction the likes of which have been rare since the economic collapse in 2008. - More

Erie needs waterfront master plan

2010-08-16 08:04:49

Erie's waterfront is always on my mind. For more than a decade, I managed design teams for dozens of major waterfront projects. When I look at our waterfront, I see it through the lens of those experiences. - More

The Roadmap to a High-Speed Recovery

2010-08-16 11:03:29

Forget a bigger stimulus or a smaller deficit—we need to blow up the fundamentals of our economy. More

Residents Who Live Near Public Transportation Live Healthier, Longer Lives, Study Finds

2010-08-16 13:22:59

A new report, released by the American Public Transportation Association, which surveys current research has found that people who live in communities with high-quality public transportation drive less, exercise more, live longer, and are generally healthier than residents of communities that lack quality public transit. - More

USA Rail 2010

2010-08-19 11:21:03

At USA Rail you will hear freight and passenger rail operators, state DOTs, government officials and investors discuss their development and investment tactics to rebuild North America's rail network. - More

The Rail Ahead: Building A National High Speed Rail System Through Partnerships

2010-08-19 11:32:31

Register now to attend the first WHSRA conference and share in the vision as we help shape the direction of our nation’s transportation future. - More

Sterling Properties putting finishing touches on The Avenue at South Orange

2010-08-19 11:44:12

Sterling Properties is putting finishing touches on The Avenue at South Orange, as the developer prepares for move-ins to begin at the new transit-oriented rental community.In only two weeks, individuals who value the opportunity to reside adjacent to the train station in South Orange’s vibrant downtown have already leased an abundance of The Avenue’s 79 ultra-luxurious residences. - More

RA Receives 77 Applications for High-Speed Passenger Rail Funding Totaling $8.5 Billion

2010-08-23 07:33:48

In an overwhelming show of support for the Administration’s high-speed rail initiative, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today announced that...More

BRT's less costly, more efficient, say advocates

2010-08-23 07:47:27

Not everyone has jumped on board light-rail transit. In fact, there are many who think the benefits of LRT are seriously overblown and a love affair with trains has led to an an ugly step-sister view of buses that just isn't fair. - More

Chicagos Plans for a High-Speed Airport Link Revived Thanks to Investor Interest

2010-08-23 07:52:16

Mayor Richard Daley hopes for a fully privately funded project connecting downtown with O’Hare Airport, but the city should be sure not to give away too much in the process...More

San Jose Station Area Development

2010-08-23 07:57:26

This animation shows potential transit-oriented development around the Diridon Station in San Jose. - More

Metro Development is Ticket to Prince Georges Future

2010-08-23 07:57:53

Today, Prince George's Advocates for Community-based Transit and the Coalition for Smarter Growth called on Prince George's County candidates to make building quality development...More

Researchers Confirm Link Between Active Commuting and Better Health

2010-08-23 08:05:48

It makes intuitive sense that cycling and walking to work regularly would help people stay healthy, but until now there's only been anecdotal evidence suggesting that places where walking or cycling to work is common also have lower rates of obesity...More

New Evidence Links Sprawl to Parking Minimums

2010-08-23 09:38:50

New evidence connecting minimum parking requirements and sprawl is bolstering the argument for an overhaul of government policies related to much space we devote to the storage of cars...More

City Council Holds Hearing on Proposal for 15 Penn Plaza

2010-08-23 12:59:26

A development proposal that would alter the city's skyline was debated before the City Council today.

The Zoning and Franchises Subcommittee held a hearing on the Vornado Realty Trust's proposal to build 15 Penn Plaza. -More

Birmingham-Troy transit center preps for fall groundbreaking

2010-08-23 13:48:06

The combo rail, bus, car, bike, and pedestrian facility that will serve Birmingham, Troy and the entire area has secured its funding and is now working out the kinks for construction...More

State Rep. Switalski pushes through Complete Streets law

2010-08-23 13:54:25

What makes a street complete -- bike lanes, accessible bus stops, pedestrian crossings? Yes, yes, and yes. Earlier this month, Michigan became the 14th state to adopt Complete Streets legislation...More

In Atlanta's TIGER Bid, Innovative 'Beltline' Takes Backseat to Streetcar

2010-08-24 11:23:39

For years, the city of Atlanta has been developing ambitious plans to connect its radial transit lines with a circular "beltline." As envisioned, the $2.8 billion project would include 22 miles of light rail and recreational amenities, circling the central city, taking advantage of existing freight lines. For now, however, those plans are getting less attention from city leaders than a 2.6-mile streetcar line that would serve as an east-west connector for downtown. More

Downtown plan wins international award

2010-08-25 09:00:22

The City of New Westminster's downtown plan has been earned a merit award in an international competition.

The International Downtown Association has recognized the City of New Westminster with a 2010 Downtown Merit Award for the New Westminster downtown community plan. - More

Get ahead of gridlock in Wisconsin

2010-08-26 07:44:43

Wisconsin and its economy need a modern and reliable transportation system to get people and products where they need to go fast. - More

Two views on Eastern Corridor Project

2010-08-26 07:49:18

Growing a community

2010-08-26 08:17:47

Jerome is little more than a spot on a map, a handful of homes and a church nestled among the corn and soybean fields of southeastern Union County. That's about to change. - More

Mayor presents Honokohau plan at National Institute on City Design

2010-08-26 08:24:43

Mayor Billy Kenoi was among eight U.S. mayors selected to attend the 47th National Session of the Mayors’ Institute on City Design, August 4-6, 2010, in Los Angeles. The event was a National Endowment for the Arts leadership initiative in partnership with the American Architectural Foundation and the United States Conference of Mayors. All expenses for the trip to Los Angeles are paid by the Mayor’s Institute. - More

School district offers site near Minn. light rail transit line

2010-08-26 08:28:50

The Minneapolis Public Schools are preparing to issue a request for proposals to sell a large site along the Hiawatha light rail transit line for redevelopment. The Corcoran Neighborhood Organization has long been encouraging people to think about the possibilities on the site in south Minneapolis. - More

Purchases may spur redevelopment of depressed North Minneapolis artery

2010-08-26 08:32:34

The city of Minneapolis has purchased four buildings in North Minneapolis in hopes of pushing forward ongoing efforts to resurrect the West Broadway corridor. - More

City Council Approves Journal Square 2060 Plan Amid Optimism and Objections

2010-08-27 07:00:01

After more than a year of discussion and revision, the city’s redevelopment plan for Journal Square was approved by the City Council at its Wednesday meeting. About 100 community members packed council chambers to witness the vote and several addressed the council with comments on the plan, known as the Journal Square 2060 Redevelopment Plan. - More

Roslindale Substation gets development support

2010-08-27 07:09:20

Although the Boston Redevelopment Authority rejected three proposals to develop the century-old Roslindale Substation, it’s poised to let a pair of nonprofits decide on the next step for the building. - More

Survey: Recession Weakens 'NIMBY' Resistance to New Development Projects

2010-08-27 07:15:39

Even as the level of new development and construction has fallen to historic lows nationally, a recent study suggests that recession-stung Americans appear to be more willing to support new commercial projects in their communities. - More

16 Sites in PG County Express Interest in DHCD HQ

2010-08-27 07:25:12

The State has received 16 responses to its July 16 request for information on the relocation of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). This will allow the State to move forward with a Request for Proposals (RFP) process. - More

Development at Owings Mills Metro station resumes after three-year delay

2010-08-27 07:37:04

The development of the Owings Mills Metro station is resuming after a three-year-long delay. The dispute that halted work on the projected $220-million transit-oriented development has been resolved, said Don Mohler, spokesman for Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith. Ground-breaking is expected this spring. - More

City of New Haven submits 3 grants to continue to expand the city's economic base

2010-08-27 09:23:00

This week, the City of New Haven partnered with various municipalities, State agencies and private organizations in the submission of three separate federal grants. Each of these grants seeks funding for projects that will grow the economy, create new job opportunities for residents and support New Haven as a livable community. - More

ICLEI USA Partners with Virginia Group to Foster Greener Cities

2010-08-27 10:57:20

ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA is teaming up with the Virginia Municipal League to promote greener communities through a contest to develop environmental policies and practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The partnership between ICLEI USA and the Virginia Municipal League's "Go Green Virginia" initiative is...More

Stick to the plan: Move to outskirts hurt city's predicted growth

2010-08-30 08:27:49

El Paso was supposed to be an international hot spot, a world-class city with an economic base to match. This part of the border was to become a metropolis in the desert. - More

Forum today will air regional goals for a smart growth policy

2010-08-30 08:35:29

Since the end of World War II, our fast-growing population led us to implement "modern" land-use planning that included sprawling new suburban neighborhoods, super commutes by automobile and ultimately disjointed communities – miles from where we work, live, shop or play. - More

Climate War Moves to California

2010-08-30 08:41:30

California has emerged as a key battleground state in EDF’s national effort to move America toward a clean energy future. When Californians go to the polls in November, they’ll be deciding on the state’s landmark climate and energy policy—an outcome that will have national and international ramifications. - More

Inkster, Ypsilanti, Detroit, I-275 trail score pedestrian grants

2010-08-30 10:37:48

It's all about the infrastructure. Not only will Inkster build a streetscape project and Detroit a walk/bike path, but because of state and federal grant money, portions of the I-275 Metro Trail will be also be reconstructed. Ypsi even got a slice of the community improvement pie...More

Rail stops that make sense

2010-08-30 10:44:22

The locations of the high-speed rail stops between Milwaukee and Madison have come under scrutiny as the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has canceled the planned stop in Oconomowoc due to what it says is local and mayoral opposition. This is a positive development since the inclusion of the three stops in Brookfield, Oconomowoc and Watertown will not create significant ridership because people need to use their cars to get to the stations in the first place. - More

Community Investments in TOD

2010-08-30 10:53:00

This issue of Community Investments explores the growing practice of transit-oriented development (TOD) and its implications for community development. The articles provide an introduction to basic TOD concepts and also explore issues such as how transit affects economic opportunities for LMI workers and the interrelationship between transit and schools. - More

For Now, Atlanta Opts to Promote Streetcar Starter Line Over Beltline

2010-08-30 10:58:58

Today is the deadline for applications to the second phase of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s TIGER program, which provides multi-million dollar grants to transportation projects around the nation based on merit. Cities are likely to submit several billion dollars of proposed projects to compete for a $600 million pot. Unlike the first round, in which Tucson, Detroit, and Dallas received funding for their streetcar lines without having to allocate local funds, this time municipalities are required to contribute 20% of the estimated cost of the program...More

Boulder to use car colors to discourage driving

2010-08-30 11:03:12

Got a blue car? The city of Boulder wants you to consider commuting sans car on Mondays. Red car? Take a break from driving on Wednesdays. White? Thursday is your designated day of the week to leave your vehicle at home. On Labor Day weekend, the city plans to launch a campaign to encourage residents to "do their 14.3 percent" to cut down on the number of cars on the road -- reducing air pollution, cutting carbon and road rage -- by making a commitment to go car-free on the day of the week that's correlated to your vehicle's color. Those that stick to their car-less commitments can win prizes from the campaign's sponsors. More...

New Maps Show Urban Living Helps Curb Global Warming

2010-08-30 11:12:40

New research by the nonprofit Center for Neighborhood Technology comparing greenhouse gas emissions of city and suburban households has found that transportation-related emissions of people living in cities and compact neighborhoods can be nearly 70 percent less than those living in suburbs. This builds on CNT’s Housing+Transportation Index research, which shows that average transportation costs vary from a low of 14 percent of area household median income in transit-rich, compact communities, to highs of 28 percent or more in exurban areas where employment, retail, and other amenities are more dispersed. More...

Inouye pleads for Hawaii gov to quickly OK rail

2010-09-02 08:14:30

U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye on Wednesday strongly urged Gov. Linda Lingle to approve a plan to build a mass transit rail line in Honolulu, saying federal funds for project could be in jeopardy if she doesn't do so quickly. More...

Transit Score a change of pace for Chicago homebuyers

2010-09-03 07:39:20

With its 2-year-old Walk Score product already used by more than 4,000 realty Web sites, Seattle-based software company Front Seat has expanded its data options so Chicago homebuyers can see whether a potential neighborhood is public transit-friendly as well as walkable.
Earlier this month, Front Seat rolled out two new features...More

BRE Properties Announces Two Investments Totaling $185 Million

2010-09-07 08:44:23

BRE Properties, Inc. BRE today provided the following update on its recent investment activity:
On August 20, 2010, the company acquired 2.4 acres of land in downtown Sunnyvale, Calif, a transit-oriented site,for approximately $19 million. The site will support the future development of 280 units. More

Ballard Spahr Atty, JBG VP to Speak at ULI Baltimore TOD Seminar

2010-09-07 12:29:43

Ballard Spahr Partner Mark Pollak is among the panelists for the ULI Baltimore presentation "Transit-Oriented Development in Maryland: A Look Ahead" on September 16, 2010. - More

NYS Gov. David Paterson signs monumental smart growth bill into law

2010-09-07 12:33:10

A new day is dawning in New York. On August 30, Governor Paterson signed New York State’s exciting smart growth infrastructure act into law. “The Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Policy Act has helped to propel New York to the front of the line among states who are working toward more sustainable development. Reforms like this don’t happen every day...More

Mass. Gov. Patrick Highlights State Grant for Community Path In Somerville Maxpak Redevelopment

2010-09-07 12:33:45

As part of the Patrick-Murray Administration’s historic Massachusetts Works program to promote job growth and long-term economic recovery, Governor Deval Patrick on Monday joined state and local officials to announce a $490,000 Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Transit Oriented Development (TOD) grant to the City of Somerville to fund bicycle and pedestrian improvements near the privately-funded, multi-family residential MaxPak development project. - More

Job creation through smart land use & transportation

2010-09-07 12:48:01

The nation’s workforce has an important stake in smart, environmentally sound development and transportation. At a time when unemployment has reached disturbing levels, public policy should take advantage of the job-creation benefits of a robust agenda for smart, sustainable communities. - More

President Obama proposes $50 billion for transportation infrastructure upgrades

2010-09-07 12:55:50

Yesterday, President Obama announced a $50 billion spending plan aimed at expanding and renewing the nation’s transportation infrastructure, including railways, roads and airport runways. - More

Magic touch? New developers take over NorthPoint

2010-09-09 07:23:31

A real estate fund comanaged by former Los Angeles Lakers superstar Earvin “Magic’’ Johnson is partnering with two other firms to invest about $1.5 billion over 10 years in the long-stalled NorthPoint development, company officials said yesterday. - More

Purple line to proceed in East Campus

2010-09-09 07:31:55

University and MTA officials said despite plans to start afresh on the East Campus development project, the Purple Line won’t be going anywhere. - More

Study Shows Economic Impact of LIHTC Development Along Transit Corridors in Metro Denver

2010-09-09 07:35:28

Affordable housing built with low-income housing tax credits (LIHTCs) creates millions of dollars in local income, taxes and local jobs for the Denver metro area, according to a recent study by Dr. Elliot Eisenberg, senior economist at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). - More

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu no fan of suburban sprawl

2010-09-09 07:39:53

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., recently discussed her love of planning and her desire to see St. Tammany Parish become more centralized and move away from the sprawl that has largely reined king in unincorporated parts of the parish. - More

Georgia seeks funding for Upstate S.C. high-speed rail

2010-09-10 11:51:29

The Georgia Department of Transportation applied for federal funding that would complete a step needed to develop high-speed rail in the Upstate. Georgia seeks $7 million from the Federal Railroad Administration to conduct a tier 1 environmental impact study and service development plan for the high-speed rail corridor that would connect Atlanta to Charlotte, N.C. This would be the first of two environmental studies needed before South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia could begin infrastructure upgrades along the corridor. More...

MDOT wants public input on rail plan

2010-09-10 11:54:58

Where is rail transportation headed in Michigan? What role does rail freight play in our state's economy? When and how will high-speed rail become a viable option for passenger travel in Michigan? The public can weigh in on these and other questions at any of four Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)-sponsored public meetings held to discuss the development of the Michigan State Rail Plan. More...

Multi-million dollar renovations to Battle Creek passenger rail station can begin soon

2010-09-10 11:57:30

The Battle Creek passenger train station will receive Michigan's first federal grant for high-speed rail improvements, with work expected to begin early next year on station renovations. A $3.6 million grant recently approved by the Federal Railroad Administration is part of a nationwide $8 billion economic stimulus program to support high-speed rail projects around the country. More...

Opinion: Tennessee should get aboard high-speed rail

2010-09-10 11:59:37

When the idea of an Atlanta-Chattanooga-Nashville high-speed train route was talked about publicly two years ago, proponents contended it should be given serious consideration, according to an editorial in the Nashville Tennessean. A $1-million feasibility study that had recently been conducted on the Nashville-to-Chattanooga leg showed the project to be doable, but that it would cost an estimated $5.4 billion in public and private dollars. More...

North Carolina approves matching funds; will compete for fast-train money

2010-09-10 12:08:24

The North Carolina Board of Transportation has approved matching funds to compete for federal money it hopes will fund key upgrades to its Charlotte-Raleigh corridor. The board approved $55 million in state funds to match $290 million in federal funds, which are to come from high speed rail money. More...

Slow work starts on fast trains

2010-09-13 08:05:00

CARLINVILLE — The fast trains won't rumble across downstate Illinois tracks for another four years, but the state and the Union Pacific Railroad are starting to spend some of the billion dollars set aside to bring high speed rail to the Midwest. More...

Florida among 10 states asking for high-speed rail funds

2010-09-13 08:10:53

TAMPA - Florida's $1.1 billion request earlier this month to the Federal Railroad Administration to complete financing for the Tampa-Orlando high-speed rail line faces competition from nine other states. The U.S. Department of Transportation said this week that the Federal Railroad Administration received 20 funding applications from 10 states for high-speed rail corridor development...More

Redefining What "Home" Means (ie. Cozier and Closer to the Action): Urbanists Show Up Strong in NYT Debate

2010-09-13 08:19:32

The New York Times "Room for Debate" feature — a round-up of mini-essays on a timely topic from opinion leaders in the relevant field — rises or falls on the quality of its expert panelists. On that score, today's package soars despite a less-than-buoyant topic — how the deep recession is redefining the meaning of "home" and the American Dream is very good indeed. More...

Arlington explains Smart Growth

2010-09-13 10:49:57

Parking garage seen as key to major Revere project

2010-09-13 13:42:12

With 14 gleaming shovels lined up in the ceremonial dirt pile before them, a battery of officials gathered at the MBTA's Wonderland Station today to break ground on a $53.5 million, 1,465-space parking garage. - More

Anti-transit troubadours ready for their show

2010-09-20 13:18:19

Here we go again. As Hillsborough County gears up for an incredible opportunity to improve the way we move around our community by voting for countywide transportation improvements on Nov. 2, a strolling, wailing sensation is coming to town. More...

Republicans Fight Wisconsin High-Speed Rail

2010-09-14 08:31:13

MADISON, Wis. — A brick-and-glass state office building on the banks of Lake Monona, just a few blocks from the Wisconsin Capitol and the rest of downtown Madison, shows no outward sign that it has become the focal point of one of the most heated — and unexpected — debates to divide this state’s Democrats and Republicans in a crucial election year. - More...

Schwarzenegger Checks out China's High-Speed Rail

2010-09-14 09:46:42

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is engaging in a little window-shopping of China's new high-speed train lines while peddling Californian exports and tourism in the world's second-largest economy -.More...

A step toward fulfilling SOWA's promise

2010-09-15 11:18:02

Things haven't exactly gone as promised back in 2003, when Oregon Health & Science University, the Portland Development Commission, North Macadam Investors and other parties signed a deal that envisioned a glittering, mixed-use campus in the unlovely industrial riverfront precincts south of downtown. -More...

Affordable-housing law called a big boon

2010-09-16 10:49:06

The state’s contentious affordable-housing law, up for repeal by voters in the Nov. 2 state election, has generated more than $9.25 billion in construction and related spending over the past 10 years, according to a study scheduled to be released today by the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute. - More

New Jersey officials call temporary halt to new work on vital rail links

2010-09-16 10:54:59

Just seven months ago, newly elected New Jersey governor Gov. Chris Christie (R) slashed his state's transit budget. In so doing, he hiked fares by 22 percent and cut service at a time when the system was carrying record numbers of riders. The move made transit advocates wonder whether the new administration has a clue about the importance of public transportation to the state's economy. - More

Group touts transit-oriented projects

2010-09-16 14:22:21

A gathering of transportation and smart growth advocates drew about 200 people to Antun’s Restaurant in Hicksville to talk about promoting more transit-oriented development on Long Island. - More

Wood Partners Acquires 17.57-Acre Site for Alta Aspen Grove Apartment Community in Metro Denver Area

2010-09-17 11:14:56

Wood Partners, L.L.C., one of the nation's largest multifamily developers, announced today its acquisition of a 17.57-acre parcel in Littleton, Colo., where it plans to start construction immediately on a 280-unit garden-style apartment community. - More

Murray touts regionalization of service during visit to Milford

2010-09-17 11:24:49

Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray yesterday told local officials that fiscal 2012 will be another tricky year. Murray and members of the Municipal Affairs Coordinating Cabinet came to Town Hall to hear concerns and offer advice on next year's finances as part of an ongoing state government listening tour. - More

Describing and Illustrating the Extended Transit-Oriented Development (E-TOD) Concept

2010-09-17 13:58:59

Transit-oriented development (TOD) is a concept that is currently very popular in many U.S. cities. The idea is to stimulate mixed-use, higher density development to occur within walking distance of a rail transit station. Expected benefits include more ridership on the rail lines, less ownership and use of the auto (hence less congestion), more walking and local shopping, a better "community" feeling and more compact cities (hence less urban sprawl). - More

Developers drawn again to Rainier Valley rail stations

2010-09-20 13:23:59

After a two-year hiatus, developers are beginning to stir once again in the neighborhoods around Sound Transit's light-rail stations in Rainier Valley. - More

$90 million proposed for new light rail lines

2010-09-21 07:01:16

The O'Malley administration is proposing an infusion of almost $90million for engineering of two new transit systems — including Baltimore's east-west Red Line — as part of an otherwise flat $9.4billion transportation spending plan for the next six years. - More

Finch says city has faced tough year head on

2010-09-21 07:08:36

A terrorist, a crime spike, a devastating tornado, two firefighter deaths and an $8 million shortfall in the city's budget. - More

Four areas targeted for transit oriented development

2010-09-21 07:19:52

The City of Tucson wants to create four areas of growth and development around its planned streetcar line. They are areas where city officials hope to create an opportunity for transit oriented development. - More

Van Hollen Blasts GOP Plan to Repeal Recovery Act Dollars

2010-09-21 07:21:10

Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Assistant to the Speaker, issued the following statement on the GOP plan to repeal Recovery Act funding that has already been allocated to small businesses and other entities across the country: "As Republican Leader John Boehner outlined in his speech on August 24, 2010, one of the key pieces of the Washington Republican agenda is repealing the remaining funds of the Recovery Act. - More

AT&T and SEPTA Unveil AT&T Station

2010-09-21 07:43:53

"Next stop, AT&T Station". Whether they're headed to Citizens Bank Park to see the Phillies or to check out pre-season hockey action across the street, SEPTA riders will be pulling in to a re-named, revitalized Pattison Station today which now bears the name AT&T Station and the innovative elements of the AT&T brand. - More

Portland, a Global Model of Transit-Oriented Development

2010-09-21 08:08:38

Portland, Oregon, is consistently ranked as one of the country's most livable cities. And it continues to show solid growth despite having the second lowest per capita transit spending of the 28 largest U.S. metropolitan areas. A system of trains, streetcars, buses, and aerial trams give the city one of the most diverse transportation portfolios in the world. - More

Big development to hit Prince George's County

2010-09-22 13:16:51

New Carrollton is slated to become Metro’s first large-scale transit-oriented development in Prince George’s County is looking for development teams to partner on a 5.5 million-square-foot project on 39 acres near the New Carrollton Metrorail, Amtrak and MARC stations. - More

Hawaii receiving over $5 million to expand bus service

2010-09-23 08:12:44

Over $5 million in federal transportation funds are heading to Hawaii, mainly to expand bus service on the neighbor islands. Senators Akaka and Inouye announced the US Department of Transportation grant Friday. -More...

A Mingling of Leaf-Peeping and Time Travel

2010-09-23 19:41:25

Construction began in 1846 on the Boston, Concord and Montreal Railroad, so business travelers and others have been gazing out the windows of trains huffing north into the White Mountains of New Hampshire for quite some time.

-More..

40B zoning law is not about snobbery, but smart growth

2010-09-24 05:55:11

THE LAW known as 40B — which allows housing developers a path around some local zoning restrictions — is almost inherently unpopular: It has a built-in set of opponents in those towns whose iron control of zoning it erodes, however slightly. Those opponents have now, after 41 years...More

Intensive process will yield unified vision for Dover neighborhood

2010-09-28 12:06:07

By the end of the week, a group of planning experts hope to have a working plan for how the neighborhood around Dover’s new west side transit center will develop over the coming years. - More

New York and Connecticut Join Forces to Build Sustainable Communities

2010-09-28 12:19:21

An unprecedented bi-state collaboration of nine cities, two counties and six regional planning organizations has come together to form the New York-Connecticut Sustainable Communities Consortium. The Consortium, designed to integrate housing, economic development, transportation and environmental planning in the metropolitan region, has submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for a Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant, a competitive national program. - More

NJ Transit Proposes Downtown Development

2010-09-28 13:51:37

New Jersey Transit proposed its tentative plan for the downtown train terminal on Monday night during a well attended public meeting at the waiting room in the Lackawanna Terminal.- More...

Sacramento City Council approves Curtis Park project

2010-09-29 12:45:50

After years of tense neighborhood meetings, more than 140 changes to the proposal and threats of a lawsuit, the Curtis Park Village development project received City Council approval to move forward Tuesday night.-More...

Charlotte rail leads to millions in development, officials say

2010-10-04 13:22:33

Mayor Anthony Foxx wisely declined to predict the outcome of last week's football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and his hometown Carolina Panthers in what turned out to be a 20-3 Bucs' victory. Foxx was more certain about what could be in store for Tampa if taxpayers choose in November to fund light rail, which in Charlotte has exceeded 20-year ridership projections in its first three years of operation while adding to the region's economic development arsenal. - More

Congressional Hearing Considers National Green Infrastructure Policy

2010-10-05 12:31:37

U.S. House members and city and private green infrastructure leaders called for greater federal support for local green infrastructure efforts in a Congressional hearing on September 30. More..

Road building or city building? Analysis flips current wisdom on its head

2010-10-05 12:33:31

A new analysis by CEOs for Cities finds that congestion has much more to do with how we build our cities than how we build our roads. By challenging the long-promoted measure of what causes traffic, the report reveals the inaccurate assumptions that have directed transportation spending to building more highways and roads rather than creating more compact development. More...

BUILT in Ohio: Innovative Approaches to Smart Growth

2010-10-05 12:39:32

Earlier this month, CNT convened key civic leaders in the Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus regions to discuss the economic sustainability of recent transportation, housing and job development investments. As part of the Broadening Urban Investment to Leverage Transit (BUILT) in Ohio partnership with the Office of Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, CNT explored the impact of recent development trends and identified key. -More...

Ken Groves: A Model Planning Director

2010-10-05 12:40:23

Last week Montgomery's planning director, Ken Groves, passed away. Ken Groves had been the city's planning director for nearly ten years. More...

Jan Gehl on American Cities and Walkability

2010-10-05 12:43:46

Fast Company recently posted a Q and A with Danish urban designer Jan Gehl. Mr. Gehl, the author of the book, "Life Between Buildings," as well as a new book titled "Cities for People," is an expert at building cities at a people-centered scale. More..

Atlanta Bicycle Commuting on the Rise

2010-10-05 13:05:53

Recent data from the American Community Survey compiled by the League of American Bicyclists show a whopping 111% increase from 2008-2009 in the rates of bicycle commuting in our fair city (from 0.51 to 1.08%, so we're not exactly talking Copenhagen yet). More...

Chicago Red Line Extension Moves Forward as Some Push Cheaper Alternative

2010-10-05 13:13:17

Last week, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announced that it had received $285,000 in planning money from the federal government to pursue a draft environmental impact study on the extension of the Red Line rapid transit corridor south to 130th Street. The agency says that this project, which will bring rail transit service to the city’s southeastern border, is its top priority. More...

Tampa Outlines Plan for Spending After Transit Tax Referendum

2010-10-05 13:14:52

Though Florida is late to join the light rail-bandwagon — none of its cities have yet developed modern networks — Tampa’s leadership is pushing to get the technology on the ground and running as quickly as possible. Promoting a vision for a major transit corridor, local leadership has succeeded in placing a referendum on a tax increase on this November’s ballot. If the proposal passes the voters’ muster, the city could have light rail in five years. More...

Detroit Mayor Bing, local leaders to speak on mass transit, urban vitality

2010-10-05 13:20:53

Trucks, trains, boats, and planes are all important to sustainability, and a symposium at University of Detroit Mercy tonight will discuss that. "Riding Trucks, Trains, Boats, and Planes to Urban Vitality," presented by the university's College of Engineering and Science and its School of Architecture. More...

Royal Oak develops non-motorized transit plan

2010-10-05 13:23:30

Royal Oak residents want to hear from you about how you think it could be easier to bike around the city.

An open house is planned..More...

Use Transit for Business Success

2010-10-05 13:33:20

A Broward County woman spoke to members of Congress last week about how she became one of RadioDisney’s top regional salespeople using only Tri-Rail, Broward County Transit, Miami-Dade Transit and Palm Tran to get to appointments. More...

New Purple Line Launched

2010-10-05 13:36:07

Great news! The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) launched the new Purple Line this week! Building on the success of the Green and Blue lines launched in the spring, the Purple Line is the latest improvement to the downtown Circuit network. The free service is great for getting around downtown and avoiding the hassle of parking. More...

Miss. state transit director, Charles Carr, on getting around rural America

2010-10-05 13:42:10

Charles Carr is the Director of Transit Services for the Mississippi Department of Transportation. His job is focused exclusively on rural transportation. Carr recently helped secure the stimulus money that will facilitate the expansion of transportation services in Southwest Mississippi so that eventually the Natchez Transit system will provide rides or coordination of service across 13 counties. More...

Richland Co., SC, pursues complete streets vision

2010-10-05 13:52:59

A proposed set of road projects in Richland County, South Carolina, would bring bike paths, sidewalks, cross walks and perhaps even transit stops to select highways in the county, a conceptual departure from previous construction plans. This new approach...More...

New Report: Cities Driven Apart by Sprawl

2010-10-05 14:04:18

A new report by CEOs for Cities analyzes transportation in 51 major U.S. cities, with an emphasis on land use patterns and community design, calling into question the highway-oriented industry standard for measuring congestion created by the Texas Transportation Institute’s annual Urban Mobility Report (UMR). More...

Cities in Focus - New York City

2010-10-07 13:05:34

New York’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Department of Transportation are on a mission to make the Big Apple the “greatest, greenest big city in the world” by ramping up bicycle infrastructure across the city, introducing bus rapid transit to the Bronx, and pedestrianizing Times Square, among other bold transportation initiatives. - More

Renovation announced for Chicago's Union Station

2010-10-07 13:48:41

Chicago’s Union Station will be getting what many see as a long needed renovation to accommodate heavy traffic. Amtrak Board Chairman Tom Carper and Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn announced a $40 million capital construction project for the iconic downtown train hub, which will double the size of the passenger waiting area, add new restrooms and air conditioning to the “Great Hall”. -More...

The Importance of Transit Context and Design

2010-10-12 07:34:58

In almost all American communities, if public transit exists in any meaningful way, it competes for patronage, primarily though not exclusively with driving. While some advocates seem to believe that the best way to attract more riders to transit is to make driving increasingly as unappealing as possible through fees, removal of or restrictions on parking, “road diets” and the like, I’m not fully in that camp. There is an appropriate context for each of the things I just mentioned, but for the most part I want to make transit better so that customers choose it not just out of necessity but because it is easily accessible, comfortable, and efficient. -More...

Vornado gears up to transform Crystal City

2010-10-12 07:52:26

Vornado/Charles E. Smith is one of the biggest owners and managers of real estate in the Washington area thanks in no small part to the fact that it owns nearly all of the office buildings in Crystal City. - More

High Speed rail: If they don't want it, we do

2010-10-12 08:09:46

If politicians in states such as California, Florida, Ohio, and Wisconsin can’t stomach the idea of a high-speed rail system, the Obama administration should redirect billions of federal dollars to where they belonged in the first place: the busy Northeastern corridor, where population density and public appreciation for train travel both run high. - More

State Center renewal planned as model of 21st century design

2010-10-12 08:16:55

Work is scheduled to start this winter to transform the biggest state government complex in Maryland into a model of 21st-century urban design, a $1.5 billion "village" that clusters offices, homes and shops around mass transit and plazas in a now-blighted swath of midtown Baltimore. - More

Littleton Lands Eco-friendly Apartments

2010-10-12 09:17:36

Wood Partners, L.L.C., co-developer of the Glass House in downtown Denver, today unveiled plans for a 280-unit, $47 million, super-energy efficient apartment community adjacent to the Aspen Grove shopping center in Littleton. The development, on a 17.57 acre site next to the southwest light-rail line, is the first new apartment community in the area in about a decade, said Jeff Hawks, principal of the Denver office of Apartment Realty Advisors. The development called Alta Aspen Grove is expected to open by the spring of 2011. -More...

Transit-oriented Development on the Horizon in New Rochelle?

2010-10-14 09:28:44

The City of New Rochelle is exploring a transit-oriented development at the intersection of Centre Avenue and Prospect Street by potentially partnership with real estate developer Albanese Organization, Inc., and architects Pelli Clarke Pelli. - More

Talkin' About A Rail-Volution

2010-10-14 09:55:31

Train talk is busting out all over the place. Next Monday, bicycle enthusiast Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., will convene the annual three-day Rail-Volution conference in Portland, Ore., designed to bring together people who are "passionate" about using street cars and commuter trains to create "livable communities." - More

Taking the T to the Big Apple

2010-10-18 08:13:35

The financially hobbled MBTA continues to come up with creative ways to reel in cash. World Wide Tours, a New York City-based, family-run bus company, approached the T with an offer that it couldn’t refuse: Hosting express bus pick-up/drop-off service from the Alewife Red Line Station in Cambridge and the Riverside Green Line Station in Newton to New York City. - More

City wins federal funding for study on East Side train station

2010-10-18 08:46:18

The city is set to receive federal funds to pursue a feasibility study for building a new train station on the East Side. - More

Developers, retailers focusing on infill areas

2010-10-18 10:30:17

The next retail-building push won't feature new centers sprouting up on the urban fringes. Retailers, developers and lenders, no longer willing to gamble on future population growth, are focusing on infill sites in existing city cores - closer-in locations surrounded by residents with appealing demographics and solid shopping patterns. Even though the retail market in metro Phoenix is overbuilt as a whole, there are pockets where low vacancy rates and stellar demographics pose unique opportunities, real-estate insiders say. -More...

TOD Barriers Coming Down, But Parking Problems Remain

2010-10-18 09:03:16

It's no secret that the push for more transit-oriented development (TOD) has been a priority of the Obama administration. The administration created the Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities under Director Shelley J. Poticha to allow HUD and the U.S. Department of Transportation to focus on the problem. - More

County, Consortium Get $5 M Grant

2010-10-18 11:29:12

SALT LAKE CITY — Based on its innovation and successful history of regional urban planning, Salt Lake County and a consortium of Wasatch Front agencies have been awarded a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. - More

Transit-oriented development plan in S. Norwalk fueled by $222K from HUD

2010-10-19 08:00:20

Norwalk will receive $222,464 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to plan transit-oriented development around the South Norwalk Train Station, according to a local official. - More

40B allows towns to 'shape' projects

2010-10-19 08:08:19

There are many well-publicized reasons to keep Massachusetts’ affordable house law by voting “no” on Question 2 in November. What is less widely known is how Chapter 40B enables Brookline and other towns to actively encourage and shape development projects to meet local needs. - More

$2.25 million grant to address transportation needs at former Chrysler plant

2010-10-19 08:14:42

The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced the award of $2.25 million in planning grant funds to address transportation needs surrounding the redevelopment of the former Chrysler assembly plant in Newark. - More

First-Of-Its-Kind National TOD Database Launched

2010-10-19 09:06:48

The Center for Transit-Oriented Development (CTOD) today launched a first-of-its-kind web database to provide access to comprehensive information about more than 4,000 transit zones across the United States. The web tool will help developers, investors, and city officials make planning decisions that take advantage of development opportunities around transit nodes. More...

We're losing an acre of farmland every minute, but smart growth may be slowing the rate

2010-10-19 09:20:22

41 million acres of rural land has been permanently lost in the last 25 years to highways, shopping malls, poorly planned sprawl and other development, according to a new analysis by the American Farmland Trust. Of that amount, 23 million acres (an area the size of Indiana) was agricultural land. The rate of recent farmland loss has been an astounding acre per minute. More...

The Reluctant Suburbanites

2010-10-19 09:31:02

Rod Dreher, a social commentator who writes under the self-titled banner “crunchy conservativism,” shared on his blog an interesting confession about the suburbs. Not interesting because it’s strange, but interesting because it’s so altogether normal. Despite his long-standing preference for, or at times even a philosophical commitment to walkable urban neighborhoods, he thinks he just might choose the opposite kind of house next time he moves. A conventional suburban home. Why? More...

Downtown Utica wraps up work on park, pedestrian bridge

2010-10-19 09:37:46

Much of the work on Utica's hike-and-bike trail and river walk is wrapping up for the season, with the pedestrian bridge soon to come, also. Utica Mayor Jacqueline Noonan says the manufacturer ran into a couple of glitches that delayed the project a bit, but the city is still set to take delivery of the bridge by next month. More...

HUD Unveils Winners of Sustainable Communities Awards

2010-10-19 09:47:00

The Obama Administration has been a major promoter of smart growth. Over the past two years, officials in numerous federal agencies have argued that the United States must do a better job to integrate choices about housing and transportation. Headlining this initiative was the creation last year of an interagency partnership between the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Transportation, and the Environmental Protection Agency. More...

The Administration's Infrastructure Problem

2010-10-19 09:51:58

Ray LaHood was not known for his expertise in transportation policy when he accepted the position as Secretary of Transportation, but you’d hardly be able to guess that judging from his frequent, passionate online outpouring about high speed rail, distracted driving, and the like. In the tightly-knit PR machine that is the Obama administration, Ray LaHood is the loose thread. He frequently twitters and updates his blog, which often have the unpolished feel of blog posts by....More...

Metro Boston wins $4 million for Sustainable Regional Planning

2010-10-19 09:57:39

Smart Growth in greater Boston, Mass. scored a major victory recently with the region’s receipt of a $4 million Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). More...

Chicago's 30 year plan looks at day-to-day life and regional prosperity

2010-10-19 10:00:29

Chicago’s Metropolitan Agency for Planning announced today a visionary plan how the city and its surrounding counties should grow and develop over the next 30 years. The GO TO 2040 project is “a comprehensive regional plan seeks to maintain and strengthen our region’s position as one of the nation’s few global economic centers.” More...

TIGER's Biggest Bite: Atlanta Streetcar Proposal Gets $47 Million

2010-10-19 10:03:58

Atlanta scored about eight percent of the TIGER II total for its streetcar project. Rep. John Lewis got confirmation of the award this morning. Atlanta had applied for $56 million for the $70 million project. Some observers had hoped the city would apply for its “beltline” project...More...

In Illinois, rail passengers stand up for trains

2010-10-21 07:54:04

In Illinois, rail passengers stand up for trains. Trains. People love them. People use them to ride to work, to school, to visit friends and family.

This in spite of the years and years of neglect and underfunding of our nation's rail system. Not to mention the current political atmosphere, in which many Republican politicians are opposing the Obama administration's plans to build more railroads.

The Midwest High Speed Rail Association recently launched a campaign called Stand Up for Trains, and made this little video asking riders in Illinois what they wanted to say to government officials about funding rail service. It shows a pretty sweet cross-section of rail passengers.-More

Kansas receives $10.2M grant for rail upgrades

2010-10-22 07:30:25

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The Kansas Department of Transportation has received a $10.2 million federal grant for railroad upgrades in the southeastern part of the state. KDOT says the grant will be used for improvements for the South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad for hauling freight on its tracks. -More...

Maintaining Diversity In America's Transit-Rich Neighborhoods: Tools for Equitable Neighborhood Change

2010-10-22 14:11:08

Extending public transportation to a metropolitan neighborhood for the first time can, in some cases, raise rents and attract wealthier residents who would drive rather than ride the train. More...

Chicago South Suburbs Awarded $2.3 Million to Use Rail Infrastructure to Revitalize Region

2010-10-27 08:20:57

Forty-two municipalities in Chicago’s south suburbs have been awarded $2.35 million in federal funds to implement a revitalization strategy that will make better use of the region’s established rail infrastructure to focus the development of housing in transit-oriented neighborhoods...More

walkscore.com and the lure of the single "score"

2010-10-27 08:26:37

The Conservative Planner has a thoughtful attack on WalkScore.com's methodology for calculating a simple "walkability score" for any neighborhood in America. He's found several examples where WalkScore has given a high score to a place that's clearly hostile to pedestrians when viewed on the ground. More...

Berkley, Novi pass Complete Streets resolutions, other cities consider the same

2010-10-27 08:30:59

Berkley was the ninth Michigan city to pass a Complete Streets resolution earlier this month, and more cities are looking at their own resolutions, as well. More...

Transit-Friendly Neighbors, Removed from Transit-Friendly Neighborhoods?

2010-10-27 08:35:04

New rail stations may be gentrifying neighborhoods to an extent that the people most likely to take advantage of transit services are being pushed out, forced to relocate because of higher prices. This is a claim that strikes deep at the heart of one of the most frequently used arguments in favor of new investments in transit systems, that it has the potential to produce significant ancillary development and therefore alter the structure of the urban environment, even as it increases mobility options for everyone. More...

Obama: Infrastructure a Top Priority

2010-10-27 08:41:49

President Obama has made it clear that infrastructure investment and long-term transportation funding measures are a top priority for the administration next year. His most recent statement to that effect was in an exclusive interview with National Journal on October 19, when he said Republicans and Democrats ought to be able to work together to find more efficient ways to fund roads, bridges, rail, and runways. More...

Strapped: A Bumpy Year

2010-10-27 08:44:10

JAY H. WALDER, the imposingly tall 51-year-old chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, pointed approvingly at the giant flat-screen television installed this month near an entrance to the Atlantic Avenue subway station in Downtown Brooklyn. More...

The World's First Transit Appliance

2010-10-27 08:47:24

This is just too cool. At Rail-volution, Chris Smith from Portland Transport debuted what he is calling the world's first "Transit Appliance". It can deliver real-time transit arrival estimates to a display in your home, coffee shop, library or, well, anywhere frequented by transit users. More...

With More Federal Funding, Florida in Striking Distance of New High-Speed Line

2010-10-27 08:56:10

In sinking $800 million more into the Tampa-Orlando line, Obama Administration is making clear its interest in making this the nation’s model program for fast trains. More...

Iowa City-Chicago trains to roll in 2015

2010-10-27 09:03:41

Illinois and Iowa yesterday secured funding for an interstate Amtrak corridor service that’ll connect Chicago with Davenport and Iowa City, Iowa. Starting in 2015, two daily round trips will cover the route, with a one-way trip time of just under five hours. More...

Your next bus is one block east, and five blocks north of your current location...

2010-10-27 09:07:08

We are very grateful to our transit friend William Williams of the City Paper for our insert in this week's paper and the great article about the West End Street Car that is being studied by Metro. However, a good chunk of our interview got edited from the paper and we want to include it below. So as Paul Harvey used to say, "now for the rest of the story". More...

Texas awarded high-speed rail grant:$5.6 million will be used to study route from Oklahoma to Rio Grande

2010-10-28 13:37:24

High-speed rail in Texas, long left for dead, is likely to regain a pulse today when U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announces a $5.6 million grant to plan a passenger rail line from Oklahoma City to the Rio Grande.-More...

DOT awards $2.4 billion to continue developing 21st century high-speed passenger rail corridors

2010-10-29 13:51:44

Today, the Obama Administration and the Department of Transportation are awarding $2.4 billion for planning and construction of intercity passenger rail service. With these 54 projects in 23 states, we're moving full-speed ahead toward a nationwide high-speed rail system. -More...

New commuter rail cars can be previewed this week

2010-11-01 13:33:50

The future of the commuter rail is sitting on Track 1 at North Station. From now through Friday, you can tour two mock-ups of the 75 commuter-rail coaches that the MBTA has ordered, for $189.7 million, from Hyundai Rotem USA, a subsidiary of the Korean manufacturer. - More

The Last Word: Todd Apo on Why Honolulu Needs a Transit Authority

2010-11-01 14:07:00

Vote YES on the first Charter Amendment Question to create a Transit Authority for Honolulu’s High Capacity Mass Transit System. The bottom line – a YES vote will help insure that our project is done right and with the least amount of political interference or motivation. -More...

Huffines Breaks Ground on $300M TOD

2010-11-02 08:02:20

Armed with 90 acres of infill land, Huffines Communities has broken ground on the first phase of a $300 million development, Hebron 121 Station. - More

Eddie Bernice Johnson announces transit-oriented housing grant for Dallas

2010-11-02 08:06:03

As the City Council meeting got started this morning, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson announced a $2.2 million federal housing grant she helped steer to Dallas. - More

HUD and DOT Award $878,000 to Oklahoma City

2010-11-02 08:19:31

In an unprecedented collaboration between two federal agencies, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) recently jointly awarded $878,000 to help stimulate a new generation of sustainable and livable communities in Oklahoma, connect housing, employment and economic development with transportation and other infrastructure improvements. - More

Doyle Suspends High-Speed Train Project

2010-11-05 14:15:30

Gov. Jim Doyle's administration has asked contractors to suspend work on the high-speed rail line from Madison to Milwaukee while his administration studies the potential impact of stopping the project. More...

Kasich says no passenger rail for Ohio

2010-11-05 14:18:07

In his first news conference as governor elect, John Kasich de-railed plans for high speed trains connecting Dayton to the rest of the state. In a press conference with reporters from around the state, Kasich outlined his priorities for taking Ohio into the future. More...

LUC OKs Kamakana Villages re-zone; Council vote delayed

2010-11-09 11:47:21

The state Land Use Commission issued its approval Thursday for a proposed 272-acre residential community in Kailua-Kona. Forest City, in partnership with the state Housing Finance and Development Corporation, has proposed Kamakana Villages for a wedge of land in the northeast corner of Palani Road and the still under-construction Ane Keohokalole Highway. It is to include 2,330 homes, with 1,169 units priced at affordable levels. -More...

The Power Of Agencies, Regions Working Together

2010-11-10 13:14:12

Local and state officials have been frustrated over the years by federal grants that seem at odds with other federal grants, or with local needs. Public housing projects that fail, highways that flatten the centers of vibrant cities, job training for nonexistent jobs — the list goes on. - More

Salt Lake City to receive federal streetcar grant to stimulate TOD

2010-11-11 10:04:42

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Salt Lake City will receive a $26 million federal grant to fund the construction of a streetcar line to the Sugarhouse neighborhood. The U.S. Department of Transportation made the announcement Wednesday. -More...

Massive World on Yonge has broken ground

2010-11-15 07:40:38

Shovels hit the ground this week marking the start of construction for the new World on Yonge project near Steeles Avenue and Yonge Street. The project, by Liberty Development, is being billed as the largest single-phase residential, commercial and retail development in the Greater Toronto Area. - More

Illinois' high-speed rail hopes raised

2010-11-16 08:13:38

ROCKFORD — The election may stop a high-speed rail project between Milwaukee and Madison, Wis., in its tracks, and it may derail a project in Iowa, too. But it also has bolstered regional hopes for high-speed rail service through northern Illinois. -More...

Patrick-Murray Administration, City of Boston Break Ground on Yawkey Station Project

2010-11-16 11:45:50

BOSTON – Monday, November 15, 2010 – As part of the Patrick-Murray Administration's historic Massachusetts Works program to promote job growth and long-term economic recovery, Governor Deval Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray today joined Boston Mayor Thomas Menino to break ground on the $13.5 million Yawkey Commuter Rail Station reconstruction project, a key public transportation component of the $450 million Fenway Center development. -More...

Adopt a CTA station (or line or bus)?

2010-11-16 13:44:43

The Chicago Transit Authorty (CTA) announced yesterday that it is looking to sell the naming rights for its train stations, train lines, bus stops, and bus lines. Or as the Chicago RedEye see it, the CTA is seeking "Sugar Daddies." The naming rights for pretty much anything associated with the CTA will be up for sale. More...

Charlotte's Once Ambitious Rapid Transit Plan Faces Budget Ax

2010-11-23 14:25:51

Ridership on Charlotte’s transit system has grown substantially over the past ten years, increasing from an average of 39,100 daily users in 2000 to 103,500 in 2010. This successful ramp-up in public transportation use in one of the nation’s most sprawling regions can be traced to the 1998 passage by voters of a 1/2-cent sales tax for transportation funding...More...

A Renovated Station for Chicago is the Latest in the Privatization of Infrastructure

2010-11-16 13:57:07

At the intersection of Clybourn and North Avenues in Chicago, just a few blocks from the former site of one of the country’s most infamous public housing projects, is a completely renovated subway station. Though much of the city’s transit system has been substantially remade in recent years, this improved stop has the unique honor of having been paid for by Apple Computer. More...

Mapnificent: How Far Can You Go in 15 Minutes?

2010-11-16 14:17:16

Above is an image of areas in the Columbia Heights neighborhood in Washington, D.C., specifically at Meridian Street and 14th Street, that are accessible within 15 minutes, thanks to a new mapping tool called Mapnificent, powered by Google Maps. Mapnificent is less of a trip planner and more of a tool for figuring out larger-scale mobility. You can pick a point on a map and select a time from the point that you could use public transit, walking or biking to get there. For example, the map tells you where you could live or work within a commute of 30 minutes using public transit. More...

U.S. Department of Transportation Supports Walk-Friendly Communities

2010-11-16 14:45:17

U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood recently announced the Walk Friendly Communities (WFC) program, an initiative that “will recognize communities that are working to improve a wide range of conditions related to walking, including safety, mobility, access and comfort.” More....

Don't block rapid rail

2010-11-16 14:47:52

After campaigning on his passion to cut the state budget, Gov.-elect Rick Scott wants to confirm the feasibility of high-speed rail before he spends state money on the proposed line from Tampa to Orlando. More...

Blueprint North Carolina, Indiana and Illinois

2010-11-23 14:00:16

North Carolina is embarking on an exciting smart growth project; seven locations across the state are developing conservation-based affordable housing. The name essentially gives it away but the idea is that homeowners don’t need to be saddled with the choice between fiscal responsibility and environmental conservation, traditionally thought to be at odds. More...

Blueprint Virginia: A new streetscape in Portsmouth, VA

2010-11-23 14:01:56

Rethink, reuse, and rebuild, that’s what the Obama Administration has been saying since their recent proclamation that America needs to invest in retooling its infrastructure. Now, billions more in local grants are on the horizon with the Livable Communities Act, which will coordinate housing, transportation, and economic development policies in big cities, suburban centers, and small towns across the country. More...

To Replace the ARC Tunnel, a Subway Extension to New Jersey?

2010-11-23 14:11:47

Out with one transit mega-project, in with another. Faced with the decision last month by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to eliminate state funding for the ARC tunnel — effectively ending the project — New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg silently instructed municipal staff to begin studying the possibility of stretching the city’s subway system into the state across the Hudson River. Now preliminary news on the proposal has surfaced. More...

S.F. solves funding quandary for Central Subway

2010-11-23 14:17:05

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and transportation officials say they have found the $137 million the Municipal Transportation Agency needs to secure $942 million in federal funds for the Central Subway project. More...

Preparing for High-Speed Rail in Florida

2010-11-23 14:31:34

The city of Lakeland, Florida, is planning for a high-speed rail stop, among the first ever in Florida. Midway between Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland will be the link between the other two metropolitan areas. But where, exactly, this stop will be built has begun a debate: whether to serve an existing population base, or to use it to spur growth, perhaps sprawling, in a rural area. In an ongoing analysis of HSR in Florida, NAC’s Andrew Moore spoke with Lakeland’s Director of Community Development, Jim Studiale, about smart growth in Lakeland. More...

Atlanta Streetcar Public Hearings

2010-11-30 10:46:04

Come learn more about the Atlanta Streetcar project. This project will affect bicyclists, so we need to attend to share our feedback. "The City of Atlanta, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District and the Midtown Improvement District invite you to attend public hearings to review and comment on the Environmental Assessment for the Atlanta Streetcar Project. More...

2010 Year in Review: Fairfax County

2010-11-30 10:50:37

After seven long years, the plan for a sustainable redesign of Tysons Corner finally passed. Our staff spent countless hours working to shape the redesign plan, share best practices from around the nation, and reach out to Fairfax residents. More...

Janette Sadik-Khan: Urban Reengineer

2010-11-30 10:56:46

Once there was a man so in love with the road that he held meetings in his limousine. Ribbons of asphalt snaking like moon rays into the horizon made him think of the future, of the forward movement of luxury and dominion. But even more than this man loved the road, he cherished what the road connoted. More...

Find out where your city is most walkable with Walk Score's new heat maps

2010-11-30 10:59:33

Today, Walk Score rolled out new heat maps for the 2,500 largest American cities, providing a quick way to get a sense of where cities are most walkable. That could be useful if, say, you're visiting an unfamiliar city on holiday travel and want to burn off some extra stuffing. More...

Streetcars coming back to Atlanta

2010-11-30 11:39:32

For the first time in more than six decades, this traffic-choked Southern city expects to see streetcars rumbling once more along its downtown streets. For some Atlantans, the city's $72-million streetcar project — funded largely with a Department of Transportation grant awarded last month — is reason to celebrate...More...

Rail route could be built - without a Madison stop

2010-11-30 11:43:44

A planned high-speed rail route from Chicago and Milwaukee to Minnesota might not be dead, but its prospects are uncertain after Wisconsin Governor-elect Scott Walker's vow to block the route's Milwaukee-to-Madison leg. More...

Sioux Falls, S.D., switching yard plan recovers after falling off rails

2010-11-30 11:50:47

In July 2005, former Sioux Falls, S.D., Mayor Dave Munson stood on the east bank of the Big Sioux River near the white monolith of the abandoned Zip Feed Mill, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader reports. He looked west toward downtown and at rows of railroad tracks before him and imagined the future. In his mind, new retail, residential, commercial and entertainment development enlivened the east bank. The tracks were gone. More...

2011 APTA Conferences

2010-11-30 12:06:07

APTA is the leader in public transportation professional development and networking. Each year, APTA presents a top-notch slate of conferences and webinars. Each event is developed to improve the knowledge, professional and technical skills, and networking opportunities for public transportation professionals at all levels. The meetings also serve as an incomparable marketing tool for industry manufacturers and suppliers by bringing them together with current and potential customers. More...

Changing tracks: Minnesota, Wisconsin swap roles for planning fast trains between Twin Cities and Chicago

2010-12-08 11:55:15

For years, Wisconsin was a leader in the multi-state planning effort to develop a network of fast passenger trains fanning out from Chicago to the Twin Cities and other large Midwest urban centers. Minnesota was barely at the table. Suddenly, the roles have reversed. -More...

A toast to 2010: Top five Smart Growth moments of the year

2010-12-10 07:37:20

2010 was a great year for smart growth. It was the year that biking, walking and transit communities really took off. And what a battle for Metro service we had! Here are our choices at the Coalition for Smarter Growth for the top five smart growth achievements from the last twelve months. - More

Fla. Gets $342 Million For High Speed Rail

2010-12-10 08:07:48

Federal officials announced Thursday they are awarding Florida an additional $342 million for the $2.6 billion high-speed rail project. - More

MBTA Shares Investment Plan with Public

2010-12-10 08:32:35

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority officials came to Braintree Town Hall Wednesday night as part of a six-stop tour meant to inform and request input from the public about a five-year investment plan. - More

Talgo to end manufacturing in Milwaukee

2010-12-13 09:07:25

The federal government’s announcement Thursday that it is cancelling the Milwaukee-to-Madison high-speed rail project and transferring almost all of the $810 million in federal funds for the project to high-speed rail projects in other states means that Spanish train manufacturer Talgo Inc. will have to end its Milwaukee manufacturing operation in 2012, according to a company spokeswoman. -More...

VNA breaks ground for new Lynn building

2010-12-10 08:36:36

The All Care Visiting Nurse Association broke ground Tuesday for its new $10 million headquarters in downtown Lynn, adjacent to the commuter rail and bus station. - More

UTA announces development plans

2010-12-20 09:33:31

The Utah Transit Authority announced Wednesday that it has finalized an operating agreement for its first “transit-oriented development” project partnership with a developer — and then immediately formally approved sites for four others. -More...

Layton eyeing transit-oriented downtown anchor project

2010-12-20 13:57:54

Downtown Layton could be getting its second “high rise” within the next two years if a large proposed apartment complex gets the city council’s go-ahead, in the next few months. - More

Plan emerges for a new Logan Square

2010-12-20 14:17:33

Neighborhood residents may soon see a new, revitalized Logan Square — if the developers can overcome those residents’ concerns regarding density, retail size, tenant selection, and parking. - More

Census Data Show More New Yorkers Opting for Transit Instead of Driving

2010-12-22 09:12:23

Significantly more New Yorkers are counting on trains and buses to get to work than at the beginning of the decade, according to new information from the U.S. Census. The data confirms the trend toward transit identified in NYC DOT’s Sustainable Streets Index and offers a fascinating portrait of how New Yorkers’ commute habits have changed in the last 10 years. Streetsblog’s analysis shows that commuters are shifting away from the automobile across the state. - More

Walkable neighborhoods have higher levels of trust, community participation

2010-12-22 13:01:16

A study by the Natural Resources and Earth System Science program at the University of New Hampshire finds that residents of neighborhoods with walkable access to shops and services have “higher levels of social capital such as trust among neighbors and participation in community events,” according to lead researcher Shannon Rogers. -More...

CNT Energy Releases Profiles of Energy Use in 283 Chicago-Area Municipalities

2010-12-28 07:23:49

Last year, CNT began conducting workshops for communities with technical questions about their Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program federal money and to identify best practices, kicking off the Municipal Energy Profile Project (MEPP) for the 7-county Chicago region. More...

Guidebook Released to Facilitate Transit-Oriented Developments

2010-12-28 07:38:05

A new guidebook by the Center for Transit-Oriented Development (CTOD) provides information to help planners create high-quality transit-oriented developments (TOD) that reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) while creating a host of community benefits. More...

Bypassed: What killing the train means for Madison

2010-12-28 07:47:14

When Gov. Jim Doyle announced in July that a high-speed rail line from Milwaukee would stop in Madison near the Monona Terrace Convention Center, Mayor Dave Cieslewicz saw vast potential for downtown. More...

Streetcar Projects Advance Nationwide Thanks to Local Initiative

2010-12-28 08:04:06

In spite of questions over whether the federal streetcar program has a future and the death of a project in Fort Worth, local dollars are distributed to build new links in Cincinnati, Dallas, New Orleans, and Tempe. More...

Layton eyeing transit-oriented downtown anchor project

2010-12-28 09:36:58

LAYTON — Downtown Layton could be getting its second “high rise” within the next two years if a large proposed apartment complex gets the city council’s go-ahead, in the next few months.-More...

Will Smart Growth or Sprawl Win in 2011?

2010-12-30 07:44:19

In the year ahead, will our leaders maintain the momentum for smart growth? Or will they make decisions that mean a return to sprawling development, more traffic, higher energy use and the continuation of the east-west economic divide? - More

Developers file PNF for Fenway Triangle Project in Boston

2010-12-30 08:34:33

A new mixed use project is planned for the Fenway area of Boston. The $250 million Fenway Triangle Mixed Use Project will be located on Boylston Street and Brookline Avenue. It will consist of two buildings that will house over 290 apartments, 165,000 square feet of retail space and 225,000 square feet of office space. Samuels & Associates filed the project notification form (PNF) last week. - More

New link added to 50-mile Downriver Greenway

2011-03-04 09:20:19

$800,000 in grants will pay for the latest link in a trail, which when completed, will be the largest greenway connector of Metroparks in Southeast Michigan. How long? Fifty miles! More...

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Focuses on High-Speed Rail in Florida

2011-01-03 14:56:08

With Wisconsin and Ohio forfeiting their high-speed rail funding and Florida getting awarded a decent amount more ($342.3 million) for its proposed high-speed rail network, you would think all is going smoothly with regards to this matter in the highly-congested Sunshine State.

However, in addition to John Kasich of Ohio and Scott Walker of Wisconsin, incoming Florida Governor Rick Scott is the other newly-elected Republican who has had a hard time identifying the clear economic benefits of one of the world's key transportation options of the future (and of the present in many countries, like China). -More...

Charlotte Urban Street Design Guidelines Go into Effect

2011-01-14 11:21:56

Real estate developers must heed new rules for designing streets and neighborhoods in Charlotte. While the city adopted the Urban Street Design Guidelines as policy in 2007, it didn’t approve implementing the rules until now...More...

10th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference

2011-01-14 11:39:41

The 10th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference will be held February 3-5, 2011 in Charlotte, NC. Mark your calendars and check newpartners.org soon for more details on the next installment in this dynamic national conference series!

360 State's "Green" Garage Opens

2011-01-19 10:19:57

One day Bruce Becker would like to see more bikes than cars parked at his green-oriented 360 State Street apartment tower. One day, he hopes, he even might turn the north side of the fifth level of his new garage into a tennis court. - More

Commercial Real Estate: Saul Centers buys White Flint plaza for $33.25M

2011-01-19 10:33:03

Saul Centers of Bethesda bought the Metro Pike Center strip mall on Rockville Pike for $33.25 million, positioning the firm for a second major redevelopment project in the new White Flint Metro high-density zone. - More

Researchers Identify Top Ten Changes to Stimulate Downtown Development

2011-01-21 09:03:18

The Long Island Index 2011 report, Getting It Done: Aligning Long Island's Development Processes with Sustainable Economic Growth, prepared by the Regional Plan Association (RPA), shows Long Island, like many suburban areas across the country, is grappling with the difficult challenge of maintaining its high quality lifestyle while adapting to new economic, demographic and environmental realities. - More

Rockville City Council votes to reroute CCT out of town

2011-01-21 09:10:01

Rockville's City Council voted Tuesday to ask the Maryland Transit Administration to move the Corridor Cities Transitway out of King Farm, a new urban community that was designed around the proposed line, after residents complained about its potential impact on their homes. - More

Fund could help create urban living along Mesa light-rail

2011-01-21 09:43:14

A planned investment fund may help create a taste of urban living similar to that of Boston or New York without leaving the Arizona sunshine.

The $30 million Sustainable Communities Development Fund would create incentives to build affordable housing along the Metro light-rail line in Mesa, Tempe and Phoenix.-More...

Study proposes streetcar down Monroe Road

2011-01-21 14:29:26

Dollars for transit are increasingly scarce, and some of the city's ambitious plans to build new trains have been put on the back burner. More...

Making Atlanta more bicycle friendly will complete our streets

2011-01-31 08:03:03

The city of Atlanta recently took on an exciting new challenge – to rank among the top 10 most sustainable cities in the United States. More...

Car Sharing Association Announced

2011-01-31 08:56:04

Eighteen carsharing organizations from around the world have announced formation of an association that sets the ethical, social and environmental bar for the car sharing industry. More...

New Guide Helps Municipalities Monetize the Value of Green Infrastructure

2011-01-31 08:58:18

A new report released today by CNT and American Rivers quantifies the economic value of green infrastructure’s benefits – the key to helping municipalities adopt this innovative and cost-effective stormwater management approach. More...

Salt Lake Community College buying land for new campus in Herriman

2011-01-31 08:58:51

HERRIMAN-Salt Lake Community College's plans for a campus in Herriman that focuses on energy and green jobs training moved has gained support from the state Board of Regents. The school previously eyed a 90-acre site near the new Herriman High School, but has since found a better deal-$10 million better. The original site would have cost about $30 million, including $20 million in state funds and a private gift of 30 acres valued at $10 million. -More...

James Howard Kunstler on Landscape Urbanism

2011-01-31 09:03:26

The mandarin headquarters of Modernist ideology, Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, having gone to war with the New Urbanist movement, is now pushing a dubious new practice they call “Landscape Urbanism. More...

Conservation and Smart Growth Groups Oppose Governor's Transportation Plan

2011-01-31 09:07:56

After extensive review of Governor McDonnell’s proposals for transportation, leading conservation and smart growth groups announced opposition to both the financing and spending sides of the Governor’s plan. More...

Toll Roads: Too Far Out for Michigan

2011-01-31 09:13:03

In January, Rick Snyder will be looking for extra government revenue just like Governor Granholm did for the past 8 years. Two years ago, the Michigan Transportation Funding Task Force recommended toll roads. Michigan Now’s Chris McCarus reports on what toll roads could do for the budget and how hard they would be to set up. More...

Framing the Ethics of Metropolitan Growth

2011-01-31 09:18:40

I'll come right out and say that Ethics of Metropolitan Growth is a wonderful resource. Robert Kirkman is a philosopher employed in the realm of public policy by Georgia Tech, and he has obviously poured significant amounts of experience and reflection into this relatively short book. More...

Grosse Pointe scene changing as planners envisioned

2011-01-31 09:27:17

The vision to create a Grosse Pointe downtown district that is pumping with restaurants, entertainment, and shopping has broadened, taking on health, recreation and wellness as goals. More...

We've Got To Get Creative On Transit Funding

2011-01-31 09:33:54

The urban planning guru explains what the slowdown means for transportation policy and the future of green in New York City and around the country. More...

Will 'intelligent cities' put an end to suburban sprawl?

2011-01-31 09:37:22

When the economy was roaring and housing booming, reining in suburban sprawl dominated the development debate under the name of "smart growth." More...

Car No Longer King in Boston

2011-02-25 07:35:18

In fall 2009 Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino established the city’s Complete Streets program with the words, “The car is no longer the king in Boston.” And it’s true: in downtown Boston, around 65 percent of trips during peak hours are nonmotorized. The city’s progressive transportation initiatives extend into the greater Boston metropolitan region, giving it a top ranking in our study...More..

Railvolution Conference in Washington DC in October 2011

2011-02-28 12:37:39

Come to Washington, DC, where the past, present and future converge. Rail~Volution 2011 will bring together people from all perspectives dedicated to transit, livability and communities — surrounded by a unique historical backdrop. More...

Miami 21 Zoning Overhaul Wins Award

2011-03-04 09:04:42

The city of Miami's pedestrian-friendly zoning overhaul, which went into effect in 2010..More...

Biking bills in the state legislature

2011-03-04 09:07:30

The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, as a partner organization of Georgia Bikes!, is following these bills in the Georgia General Assembly. We encourage all who want better conditions for biking to contact their legislators to ask for their support. More...

New Study by NRDC's Smarter Cities Project Identifies Top 15 U.S. Metro Regions Leading in Transportation Innovation

2011-03-04 09:09:59

Today NRDC’s Smarter Cities project released a transportation study identifying 15 metropolitan regions with the nation’s leading transportation policies and practices. More...

Ready, set, charge: Fast EV power stations to roll out soon

2011-03-04 09:12:24

By the end of this year, Chicagoans will not only be able to purchase and drive electric vehicles, but also charge those vehicles in the time it takes to finish a cup of coffee. More...

Controversial VA Outer Beltway Being Revived?

2011-03-04 09:16:49

“From the beginning we’ve expressed concern about the amount of borrowing and about what we are buying with the administration’s transportation plan,” said Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth. “Many legislators were convinced to support the package because of the 900 project list shared by the Secretary of Transportation.” More...

Yes There are Grocery Stores in Detroit

2011-01-31 09:41:15

I’m just one of about 800,000 people still living in the city of Detroit, Michigan, the nation’s 11th most-populated city. Because of the events of the last half century, this is a city that journalists and academics love to examine and study. More...

An icon of local farming disappears: Tearing Down Rosebank Farms

2011-01-31 09:51:30

Johns Island is a large barrier island off the coast of the South Carolina mainland. More...

Tri-Rail Service to Miami International Airport to be Discontinued for Several Years

2011-01-31 09:56:26

It is always one step forward and two steps back for transportation in South Florida. The governing board of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority voted last week to close the Tri-Rail Airport Station for several years to allow construction to continue on the Miami Intermodal Center, scheduled to open in 2013 with a new Tri-Rail station. More...

In Charlotte, a Busy Highway May be No Place for Rapid Transit

2011-01-31 10:00:03

Take one trip on the Dan Ryan branch of Chicago’s Red Line and you’ll be convinced of the perils of locating transit stations in the medians of fast-moving expressways. Getting to stops is hard enough: It usually requires crossing first a huge intersection featuring cars hopping on and off the freeway; then, on too small of a sidewalk you’re required to bridge over several lanes of rushing traffic below. More...

Fresno releases plan for high-speed rail station

2011-02-15 08:33:33

The city of Fresno has quietly published a plan that envisions a high-speed train station downtown between Fresno and Tulare streets. City officials stress it's just a first draft, but if it were adopted, it would transform the area near Fulton Mall.-More...

Tri-State Grantees Showcase Cutting-Edge Transit-Oriented Development

2011-02-17 09:14:46

In 2009, the Tri-State Transportation Campaign and members of the One Region funders’ collaborative awarded grants to municipalities in the tri-state area that promised innovative approaches to transit-centered development. - More

Wanted: The suburbanization of Chicago

2011-03-04 09:24:50

Rahm Emanuel may be the only Chicago mayor to have been raised in the suburbs. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But it made me think about what might be Mayor-elect Emanuel's most lasting and profound problem — the growing suburban dominance of the Chicago metropolitan area. More...

Paved Paradise along Whiskey Row

2011-03-04 09:27:33

Under a new agreement, most of Louisville's Whiskey Row block would be torn down. In the 1860s, a block of cast iron and brick warehouses on Louisville’s bustling waterfront was an epicenter of the bourbon industry. Today known as Whiskey Row, the block is in transition with a mix of new...More...

Maine Gov. Paul LePage Shuts Down Gateway 1 Project

2011-03-07 14:22:58

In news from Maine this week, recently inaugurated Republican Gov. Paul LePage has issued a directive to shut down the regional development plan known as Gateway 1. According to a letter sent out by David Bernhardt, commissioner of Maine’s DOT, the LePage administration has ordered all work on the extensively vetted and in-progress plan to cease immediately.- More

California asks for Florida's high-speed rail money

2011-03-18 13:57:52

Therr is a new caucus on Capitol Hill: the high-speed and intercity rail caucus. House and Senate Democrats made the announcement as they stood next to America's only high speed train - Amtrak Acela's express that runs from D.C. to New York and Boston. -More...

APTA's EXPO 2011

2011-03-21 09:22:32

Held every three years, APTA'S EXPO is public transportation’s premier showcase of technology, products and services. Network with 17,000+ professionals and explore our 350,000 nsf EXPO floor. - More

High level of interest in Gulch

2011-03-21 09:34:02

Cousins Properties and a team of other well-connected firms were chosen to develop a transit hub and "mini-city" downtown on Monday. The project is slated for the "Gulch," the forlorn tangle of railroads tracks and parking lots, mostly used by Falcons tailgaters and people headed to nearby attractions like Philips Arena and CNN Center. - More

Manassas councilman pushing for bike trails

2011-03-21 11:14:26

Springtime blossoms bring out bike-riding Manassas residents, but the big question is: Where do they ride? Vice mayor Andrew Harrover has started the dialogue on his blog at http://harrover.com/wordpress and via the offshoot, http://bikemanassas.org. “It’s not secret that I’m a bike nut,” Harrover wrote in a March 8 blog entry. More...

Stuck in the Land of Missed Opportunity

2011-03-21 11:34:52

Being bumped from a flight has its benefits: A few hundred dollars’ worth of free travel, a restaurant certificate, a little more time to avoid getting back to work. Getting stuck in an airport hotel, on the other hand, is less exciting, especially when it is off-site. More...

New BART Station Brings Infill Thinking to the Bay Area

2011-03-21 11:42:57

With 104 miles of track and just 43 stations, the San Francisco Bay Area’s BART system may have the most widely-spaced stopping pattern of almost any rapid transit system in the world. More...

Urban Gardening and Green Economy Flourish in Detroit

2011-03-21 11:50:18

On February 16, Michigan's Governor Snyder signed into law a sweeping emergency financial management bill, one that will give him wide powers to appoint financial managers across the state. More...

Study: Transit outperforms green buildings

2011-03-21 11:53:49

Transit-oriented development is the key to cutting energy consumption — even more so than Energy Star construction or green cars, according to a peer-reviewed study supported by EPA. More...

R.I. to compete for share of federal high-speed rail money

2011-04-05 10:55:46

PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island will compete for a share of $2.4 billion in federal money for high-speed rail that had been originally set aside for Florida.

The state Department of Transportation confirmed this week that it will submit three proposals for projects in South Kingstown, Providence and Warwick totaling $31 million. The Obama administration has set an April 4 deadline for applications. -More...

Work starts Saturday for high-speed rail tracks

2011-04-06 13:33:50

CHICAGO — Amtrak says 96 miles of tracks and a quarter-million railroad ties are being installed starting Saturday in central Illinois for future high-speed rail service.

The work will take place from Elkhart, north of Springfield, to Dwight. It means chartered buses will be used for some Lincoln Service trains for several weeks and a detour for Texas Eagle trains between Chicago and St. Louis.-More...

Paradigm Shift in Charleston: County Leaders Reject Highway Expansion

2011-04-19 12:57:58

Chalk this up as a major victory in the livable streets movement: Thanks to a heroic effort by advocates for smart growth and rural preservation, officials in Charleston, South Carolina have unanimously rejected a plan for a half-billion-dollar highway expansion. More...

Cincinnati Regional Economic Development Analysis Finds Streetcar Would Increase Access to 100,000 Existing Jobs and Reduce the Cost of Living

2011-04-19 13:06:05

CHICAGO (April 7, 2011)-A new analysis of Cincinnati's regional economy has found that the city's proposed streetcar plan would increase access to more than 100,000 jobs, including those at six Fortune 500 companies, the University of Cincinnati, and two hospitals. The analysis also found that the streetcar would reduce the cost of living in Over-the-Rhine and enable the city to capitalize on national real estate trends when the economy and housing market rebound. The report, produced by the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) with guidance from nearly 50 leaders from the public, private, and non-profit sectors, shows that focusing development around the region's existing assets-such as its historic, walkable neighborhoods-would foster economically and environmentally sustainable growth. -More...

Atlanta Transit Expansion Comes Closer as Region Prepares for Tax Referendum

2011-04-19 13:06:24

When it was originally proposed in 1965, MARTA was supposed to be the transit authority serving the entire Atlanta region, then splayed out over five counties. Yet the system required funding to be put in place, and when asked to devote some of their sales taxes to the cause, only people in Fulton and DeKalb Counties — the most central of the region — agreed to pony up. More...

Boston's success depends on T

2011-04-26 07:41:19

CITIES HAVE to grow, and the place for them to grow is on top of mass transit. A few decades ago, that was an academic argument. Today, it's standard operating procedure. It's just how neighborhoods get built. -More...

Condo-retail venture near TRAX is back on track

2011-05-05 13:48:25

Boasting a new community garden, the area was ripe. Bordered by a TRAX train, the project had a clear shot at transit-oriented-development dollars. And the location on the outskirts of downtown seemed perfect to satisfy the live-where-you-work craze. -More...

Rejected by Florida, U.S. reallocates $2 billion for high-speed rail

2011-05-10 07:31:32

Rail riders along the California coast and the Boston-Washington "Northeast Corridor" are set to reap much of the benefits from $2 billion that Florida policymakers had earlier rejected for high-speed rail development. - More

California Transit Villages: Wrong and Right

2011-05-18 09:36:46

I first became involved in the transit oriented development movement in California in the late 1980s, when I was on the BART board of directors. At the time it was a minor planning movement, with a small number of theorists, including Bob Cervero and Peter Hall at UC Berkeley and Marlon Boarnet at UC Irvine, and architects Peter Calthorpe, Dan Solomon, Robin Chiang, and Marc Futterman. - More

East King Street Development aims to bring urban-style cool to Malvern

2011-05-23 09:59:26

For years, Malvern was a quick stop on SEPTA's Paoli/Thorndale Line, removed from traffic-clogged Route 30 down the hill. Its faded Victorian vibe was marked by antique shops, run-down small factories, and a mishmash of random businesses.- More

U.S.DOT Announces $2 Billion in HSR Awards-Including Expanded Service in the Midwest

2011-05-23 13:50:05

US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced $2 billion in high-speed rail awards on Monday, providing an unprecedented investment to speed up trains in the Northeast Corridor, expand service in the Midwest and provide new, state-of-the-art locomotives and rail cars as part of the Administration’s plan to transform travel in America. -More...

EPA Grant Helps Right-Size Saginaw, MI

2011-05-31 09:04:04

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently selected 25 communities from across the country to receive technical assistance under its Smart Growth Implementation Assistance program – and one of them was Saginaw, Michigan. More...

South Lincoln Homes awarded $22 million for redevelopment

2011-05-31 09:06:34

The Denver Housing Authority on Monday received a $22 million grant to help pay for the redevelopment of South Lincoln Homes near the light-rail stop at West 10th Avenue and Osage Street. - More

'Smart growth' group honors county planner

2011-05-31 09:10:11

The man who spearheads economic development in Westmoreland County was honored Thursday by an organization whose very motto is "smart growth." More...

Rainwater Harvesting legislation passes first hurdle in Illinois

2011-05-31 09:14:19

Did you know that more than 20 percent of the water we consume in our homes—the kind of water that’s treated to drinking quality, as in good-enough-to-be-EvianHinkleySprings-water—is simply flushed away as toilet water each and every day? More...

Virginia House Bill Would Mandate Transportation Decisions Be Based on Traditional Traffic Models

2011-05-31 09:21:03

House Bill 1998 recently passed the Virginia House Transportation Committee without debate. The bill would make it state law to base transportation decisions on traditional traffic models, which consider how to move the most people... More...

Smart growth a smart move for Huntsville-Madison County

2011-05-31 09:29:28

Huntsville's urban sprawl - underscored by last week's U.S. Census numbers - will stir urban brawl this decade unless steps are taken to ensure smart growth. More...

Smart Growth and Affordable Housing: At Odds? That Depends

2011-05-31 09:36:35

The desirability of traditional neighborhood design, with its compact mix of housing types, walkable neighborhoods, and town centers, has been financially beneficial to developers, builders, and real estate professionals.. More...

APTA: Sustainability & Public Transportation Workshop

2011-06-03 12:07:07

Los Angeles, CA; July 31 - August 2, 2011: This workshop features cutting-edge speakers and break-out groups presenting environmentally/energy efficient, economically sound and socially responsible developments and practices to advance public transportation’s role in sustainability. - More

How three cities are solving big problems

2011-06-03 12:13:18

While Seattle plays around on the margins, LA, Cincinnati, and San Francisco are taking big bites out of big apples. Their secrets: fast timetables, cross-sectoral coordination, and steamroller centrism. - More

Lawmakers Introduce Reality-Based Plan to Achieve "Freedom From Oil"

2011-06-03 12:20:24

Members of Congress of all stripes are trying to show that they’re concerned and responsive to the financial strain caused by high gas prices. - More

Illinois Governor Announces Partnership with University of Illinois to Study 220-mph Rail Service

2011-06-06 13:57:56

Governor Pat Quinn today announced a partnership between the University of Illinois, the Illinois Department of Transportation and a special advisory group to study the feasibility of 220-mph passenger rail service between Chicago, Champaign-Urbana and beyond. The study will complement the ongoing construction of a regional 110-mph network that will connect Chicago to 40 cities in the Midwest, while supporting Governor Quinn‘s vision to create jobs, enhance regional mobility and improve the environment by expanding passenger rail in Illinois. -More...

Route 11 the Wrong Path for Connecticut's Future

2011-06-09 10:59:57

Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy has laid out an expansive vision for a smart growth and transit-oriented future. His recently announced support for extending the Route 11 highway, at a cost of up to $1.4 billion, goes directly against it. - More

Affordable, Transit-Oriented Development Spurs D.C. Housing Market

2011-06-09 11:03:13

During a gathering late last month at the National Press Club in downtown D.C., a panel that consisted of housing, development, construction, and banking experts offered an overview on the impact and future of public and affordable housing in the District. The panel also provided information on construction debt financing and the role legislation has on housing development. - More

The Financial Benefits of Living in Transit-Friendly, Walkable Areas

2011-06-09 11:38:41

The neighborhood you live in can have a huge effect on your ability to spend or save, do the kind of things you really want to, and navigate the ongoing economic crisis. - More

City of Clarkston City adopts Complete Streets Resolution

2011-06-13 10:57:03

On Tuesday, June 7th, the Clarkston City Council adopted a Complete Streets Resolution, adding their name to the list of over 200 Complete Streets cities across the United States. More...

Retrofitting in Real Time: Randhurst Mall Looks Towards a New Tomorrow

2011-06-13 10:59:48

Randhurst Mall, the mid-century, tomorrow's-future-today design of modernist architect Victor Gruen, is undergoing a sea-change in its life. The Mt. Prospect, Illinois mall... More...

Metro Detroit's bus system fight may risk millions

2011-06-13 11:03:15

Metro Detroit has its most realistic chance in a generation of creating a rail and bus transit system that could transform how the region commutes and launch economic redevelopment from downtown to the suburbs. More...

Michigan's Rick Snyder: A Governor Who Gets Livability

2011-06-13 11:07:39

Though he was swept into office in the same class as Scott Walker, John Kasich and Rick Scott, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has set himself apart in a couple of important ways. More...

Dearborn Plans for Rail

2011-06-13 11:11:09

With the latest round of grants to improve high-speed rail travel between Detroit and Chicago, Michigan has received approximately $400 million in federal funds. More...

A Better Transit Map

2011-06-13 11:15:34

A lot of time when making plans to meetup with friends or family, you're not so concerned with how far possible locations are than you are how long it takes to get there. More...

Sinking Dreams of a Privately-Funded Subway in Toronto

2011-06-13 11:33:07

Last fall’s mayoral election in Toronto was a watershed moment for Canada’s largest city; in electing conservative Rob Ford to the top post, the public essentially rejected the approach that had been taken by former Mayor David Miller. More...

Can High-Speed Rail Reduce Air Travel and Highway Expansion?

2011-06-13 11:42:22

Yesterday, Miller-McCune’s Michael Scott Moore accused Southwest Airlines of helping to bury a potential Texas bullet train 15 years ago. More...

Hop Aboard the A-train

2011-06-13 11:56:21

On Saturday, June 18, 2011, the Denton County Transportation Authority will begin service on the A-train commuter rail system. - More

Look Out Portland, New York, Minneapolis: Here Comes Chicago

2011-06-13 12:06:39

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is wasting no time making good on his campaign promise to make Chicago a world-class cycling city. Just 24 days after his swearing-in ceremony, Chicago has its first bike box. More...

Fairmount Corridor Construction Promotes Better Use of Commuter Lines in Boston

2011-06-13 12:06:43

Boston has one of the nation’s most extensive and well-used commuter rail systems, with twelve lines splayed out from its terminal stations located downtown. - More

Miami Bicycle Summit Shows Both Advances in Bicycle Awareness and Lingering Disconnect Between Agencies and Citizens

2011-06-13 12:18:47

On Thursday, June 2nd, The City of Miami Bicycle Initiatives hosted the Miami Bicycle Summit at The Grove Spot in Coconut Grove, Miami. More...

Controversy Over Oahu's Rail Project Continues

2011-06-14 11:09:28

One of the most contentious issues among Oahu residents is the city’s plan to construct a 20-mile, elevated steel on steel rail project from Kapolei to Honolulu. In an attempt to silence growing doubt about the project spurred in part by a recent lawsuit filed by several prominent Hawaii residents, Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle released the results of a city-commissioned poll that showed that a majority of Oahu residents still supported the city’s $5.3 billion dollar rail transit project. The poll, which cost taxpayers $24,000, came nearly three years after Oahu residents narrowly voted to support the project in the 2008 election. -More...

Despite Rival Visions, Change is coming to Chevy Chase Lake

2011-06-15 07:47:34

Chevy Chase Lake is where the Interim Capital Crescent Trail crosses Connecticut Avenue. This area is likely to soon transform into a vibrant urban node, but the magnitude of the change is still up for debate.- More

Poticha, Blumenauer Tout Livability Push, Look Ahead to 2013

2011-06-15 07:52:15

Earlier this month, Shelley Poticha, the senior adviser at the Department of Housing and Urban Development in charge of the office of Sustainable Communities, flew into Madison, Wisconsin, to visit the annual gathering of the Congress for the New Urbanism. -More

Portland Councilors Consider how to spend tax revenue from Forefront

2011-06-15 08:02:21

City councilors considering a tax break for developers of a proposed $100 million complex at Thompson's Point are starting to think about how they might spend the city's share of new property tax money the project would generate. - More

Urban Land Conservancy Acquires 4th Property Using Denver's Transit Oriented Development Fund

2011-06-21 09:34:01

The Urban Land Conservancy (ULC) today announced the purchase of land along Denver's FasTracks Southwest light rail corridor that will be developed into an affordable, mixed-use transit-oriented development.- More

Mayor Green Urges Governor to Spare Redevelopment

2011-06-24 09:25:01

With the state’s budget plan still uncertain, Union City Mayor Mark Green issued a statement Wednesday condemning California legislators for passing what he called an “illegal” budget last week. - More

'Red Fields to Green Fields' plans revealed for 5 US cities

2011-06-24 09:29:42

With thousands of commercial buildings in foreclosure and many others in disrepair, cities around the country are looking for ways to rescue the properties and eliminate community blight. - More

New Report: Most Aging Baby Boomers Face Poor Mobility Options

2011-06-28 08:11:46

By 2015, more than 15.5 million Americans ages 65 and older will live in communities where public transportation service is poor or non-existent, a new study shows. More...

The High Line Brought Down to Earth: Chicago's Bloomingdale Trail

2011-06-28 08:18:04

It's been exactly one month since Rahm Emanuel assumed the mayoralty in Chicago, and already pedestrians are beginning to feel the Mayor's presence on city streets everywhere. More...

Contrived Survey is Latest Effort to Promote Costly and Ineffective Outer Beltways

2011-06-28 08:23:01

"The 2030 Group's "Priorities Report" is clearly designed to promote the same tired and ineffective Outer Beltway proposals, along with an unending series of highway widenings," said Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth. More...

The Future of Bike Sharing Schemes in the United States

2011-06-28 08:35:17

Boston is a small city; you can walk from one official end to the other in under an hour at a brisk pace. Being small has its advantages. More...

The Vogue and Realities of High Speed Rail

2011-06-28 08:37:43

Vogue isn’t a term that conjures up images of vast stretches of infrastructure perfected by years of engineering research and tinkering with delicate designs. More...

Leveraging Bus Rapid Transit to Build More Sustainable Communities

2011-06-28 08:50:54

"Developing the Next Frontier: Capitalizing on Bus Rapid Transit to Build Community" was written by The Bus Rapid Transit and Land Use Initiative, a partnership among ULI Seattle, King County Metro Transit, the city of Seattle, the city of Shoreline, and the ULI/Curtis Regional Infrastructure Project. More...

Metro-North to issue RFP for station-area development

2011-06-29 09:07:05

MTA Metro-North Railroad plans to issue a request for proposals to develop its first transit-oriented development at the Harrison, N.Y., station to improve access to trains by replacing surface parking lots with three acres of retail and housing developments, and a new parking structure. - More

LADOT GM De La Vega on Better Data, Multi-Modalism and, Yes, Pedi-Cabs

2011-06-29 09:17:42

We’re two for two in getting strong, substantial responses to a Streetsblog reader questionaire. First Sargent David Krumer talked about the improved relationship between cyclists and the LAPD and now the new LADOT General Manager takes time to answer your questions on multi-modalism, data collection, budget issues and more. - More

Mobility, and livability, is about more than roads and cars

2011-07-07 12:48:51

The US Department of Transportation has announced a third round of its TIGER grant program. Critics of TIGER, like CEI's Marc Scribner, are again bashing the program, this time because it focuses on "livability" instead of exclusively pushing driving.- More

Chrisman reappointed to DART board

2011-07-07 12:51:36

The DART Rail is up and running connecting cities across North Texas. In 2002, the Carrollton City Council appointed Randall Chrisman to the board of directors and recently reappointed him. - More

Cities and Agencies Question Legality of Redevelopment Laws

2011-07-21 08:04:01

California lawmakers’ plans to eliminate redevelopment agencies are not sitting well with cities and associations throughout the state. - More

Steer Davies Gleave to plan new US rail station

2011-07-21 08:07:59

Steer Davies Gleave has been chosen by the City of Longmont, Colorado, to develop a master plan for a future Denver rail station site in Longmont. - More

Michigan to buy rail line for high-speed Amtrak

2011-07-25 06:52:04

Amtrak's route between Detroit and Chicago is among those the Obama Administration has chosen for high-speed rail development, but right now, 135 miles of the line east of Kalamazoo, Mich., is anything but fast. -More...

'Urban lifestyle' fuels local real estate

2011-07-26 09:07:35

If “location, location, location” is the adage by which realtors and developers live across the globe and throughout the U.S., perhaps there is a second one that applies equally west of the Hudson River: As goes New York City, so too goes Hudson County. - More

KLNB Retail Tapped to Sell Market Square at National Gateway

2011-08-01 13:26:10

KLNB Retail has been named the listing broker for the sale of Market Square at National Gateway, an 82,000 square foot retail center contained within the mixed-use Eclipse on Center Park community in Arlington, VA.- More

US Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood Awards $336.2 Million for Next Generation Trains in California and Midwest

2011-08-09 13:46:57

WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that California, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Missouri will receive $336.2 million to purchase next-generation, American-made trains that will run on rail corridors in those states. Previously awarded rail dollars bring the amount received by these five states and Washington State to $782 million for the purchase of 33 quick-acceleration locomotives and 120 bi-level passenger cars. -More...

DeKalb wants to use land bank to spark redevelopment

2011-08-19 10:55:11

Plagued by the worst plunging property values in the metro region, DeKalb County is launching an ambitious program using federal cash to take over foreclosed and vacant properties in struggling areas. More..

State DOT could be broke within weeks without help

2011-08-19 10:58:33

Without some sort of bailout, the state Department of Transportation will be broke in a matter of weeks. Salaries for SCDOT workers and payment for contractors who have built and repaired highways across the state are on the line. More...

The Science of Smart Cities

2011-08-19 11:06:25

As part of a special issue, Scientific American magazine examines the science of "Better Smarter Cities." More...

TOD in Southeast Florida Workshop

2011-08-19 11:16:10

The goal of this one-day workshop is to help participants more effectively plan for and implement TOD. More...

Norristown council to apply for $75K transportation grant

2011-08-29 12:18:53

Norristown Council Tuesday night agreed to apply for a $75,000 federal grant to pay for a Transportation and Community Development Initiative (TCDI).

- More

SunRail on track for Volusia commuters

2011-08-29 12:37:20

In recent years, signs of life in this sleepy part of town have been sporadic. Sometimes you'll see cars speed along U.S. 17-92.

- More

In Chicago, a Massive BRT Plan Could be the Best Bet for Inner City Mobility

2011-09-19 10:58:45

When he assumed office early this summer, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that he would pursue the construction of a network of bus rapid transit lines in his city — in addition to the extension of the Red Line L and the implementation of a number of bike lanes. More...

Overlooked?

2011-09-19 11:03:28

Two weeks ago, a group of elected officials charged with coming up with a list of visionary transportation projects to be funded through a penny sales tax took a vote. More...

MWRD Dives Into Green Infrastructure

2011-09-19 11:08:57

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) has just established a new Green Infrastructure Program, voting to budget $1,000,000 to the effort in 2012. More...

HUD Launches Developmentof a National Affordability Index

2011-09-19 11:13:09

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced it has awarded The Manhattan Strategies Group, LLC and its subcontractor the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) a $3.2 million contract to create a national Housing and Transportation Affordability Index. More...

Rising Transportation Costs in NW Arkansas Pressuring Economic Development Efforts

2011-09-19 11:18:42

Although housing and transportation costs are currently affordable to most residents of Northwest Arkansas, high transportation costs and a growing demand for housing in walkable, centrally located neighborhoods are putting pressure on the region’s economic development efforts. That’s according to a new CNT report whose analysis of four Arkansas cities—Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, and Springdale—is based on US Census data and 23 interviews with regional stakeholders. -More...

Virginia Should Pay $500 Million Toward Dulles Rail Phase 2

2011-09-19 11:26:48

Amid ongoing negotiations over Dulles Rail Phase 2, Virginia Secretary of Transportation Connaughton has said the state will not provide more than $150 million toward Dulles Rail Phase 2. More...

Detroit-area Freight Related Study Launched

2011-09-19 11:35:29

The Detroit Regional Chamber’s “TranslinkeD” initiative, in partnership with supply chain consulting firm TranSystems, on Tuesday announced it has initiated a 14-week study..More...

$28.2 million in investment funding OK'd for Dearborn Train Station project

2011-09-19 11:40:04

Construction on the new Dearborn Train Station could begin as early as the fall after the Federal Railroad Administration announced Friday that it will give $28.2 million in investment ...More...

Loft living is where the action is in metro Detroit

2011-09-19 11:48:41

From her third-floor balcony in Willys Overland Lofts, Patricia Wren's view is the downtown Detroit skyline. She rides her bike to Detroit Tigers games, to Hart Plaza for festivals and to Eastern Market for produce. More...

Georgelas Wins Approval for Massive Spring Hill

2011-10-17 06:32:16

Georgelas Group has received approval from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for the first two phases of a massive redevelopment project near the future metro station stop here.

- More

U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood and Illinois Officials Break Ground on Chicago High-Speed Rail Project

2011-10-17 06:43:25

CHICAGO – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today helped break ground on the “Englewood Flyover” project, a critical component to the Chicago hub of the Midwest high-speed rail network. The construction project will build a bridge to separate traffic along two railroads, allowing 130 trains per day to move more quickly through one of the worst bottlenecks in North America. The investment will improve on-time performance of passenger trains, reduce freight congestion and create nearly 1,500 jobs.-More...

Report: High Speed Rail Should Focus on NE, California 'MegaRegions'

2011-10-17 06:52:22

One of the fastest growing lists in Washington these days may well be the Obama administration initiatives that are under fire or have had to be pulled back.

-More

City Nets $850,000 Grant For Transit District Development

2011-10-17 07:01:22

Meriden will receive $850,000 from the state to help the city redevelop its train station and the half-mile radius around the building known as the "Transit Oriented District," Gov. Dannel Malloy's office announced Thursday.

- More

The Impact of Light Rail Transit on Low-Income Households and Neighbourhoods

2011-10-17 07:07:11

Research on public transit points to economic, environmental, and personal benefits, especially for low income people unable to afford private transportation.

- More

Enterprise and LIIF Partner to Advance Transit-Oriented Development Nationwide

2011-10-17 07:10:51

Enterprise and the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) announced today a new partnership to advance equitable transit-oriented development (TOD) nationwide.

- More

Ignoring Inaction in Congress, DOT Pushes Through Grants for Intercity Rail

2011-10-17 07:29:00

Americans are frustrated with the Congress: Over 80% of the population disapproves of the job the national legislature is doing. And no wonder. With the unemployment situation out of control and the economy still on the skids, this is the time for government action. More...

At the Heart of the U.S. Freight Rail System, Chicago Advances Grade Separation

2011-10-17 07:31:09

Chicago is at the center of the American freight rail system, handling 40% of U.S. rail freight on 500 daily trains. It forms the primary junction of the four biggest American freight rail companies...More...

280 Public Meetings Later...

2011-10-17 07:37:15

Nearly ten years and 280 stakeholder meetings led to a regional consensus that transit should be included in plans to replace the Tappan Zee Bridge. - More

Planners to Summit Common Council: Seek Transit Village designation

2011-10-17 07:43:51

In a unanimous vote Monday night, Sept. 26, the planning board approved a motion to recommend the Common Council apply to the New Jersey Department of Transportation for Transit Village designation. - More

A Note on Transportation Subsidies

2011-10-17 07:46:07

People are armed with powerful tools that often determine quite directly the future of our society: Their wallets. People are armed with powerful tools that often determine quite directly the future of our society: Their wallets. More...

Ingram on infrastructure

2011-10-17 07:54:29

Lincoln Institute president Gregory K. Ingram weighs in on infrastructure in the Report from the President in the October issue of Land Lines. More...

Integrating LEED-Neighborhood Development into Business and Development in Texas

2011-10-17 07:56:03

Doug Farr is the Chair of U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED-Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) Core Committee and the founding principal of the architecture and urban design firm Farr Associates. More...

Peter Katz Named Arlington County Planning Director

2011-10-17 08:03:26

Peter Katz, a nationally recognized proponent of New Urbanism who played a key role in shaping the movement, has been named the Director of Planning for Arlington County’s Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development. More...

Monorail and streetcars in Ann Arbor? City considers future transit options

2011-10-17 08:11:18

It could take up to two decades to establish an advanced transit system connecting the University of Michigan's North Campus, Fuller Road Station and downtown Ann Arbor, a Maryland-based consultant told the Ann Arbor City Council Monday night. More...

Transportation Secretary to Leave Post After 2012

2011-10-17 08:21:44

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Thursday let it slip to reporters that he would leave his post after 2012 at the end of President Barack Obama‘s first term. More...

Mayor Mandates Public Transit for City Employees

2011-10-17 08:26:18

Mayor Rahm Emanuel hasn't been quiet about his use of public transit, and he wants city employees to get comfortable using it too. More...

Why Attend Rail-Volution 2011

2011-10-17 08:30:15

Non-partisan. Not ideological. The more than 75 workshops, networking events, charrettes and toolbox session bring together some of the best minds on livability in the country and the world. - More

Boise State Report 'Growing Closer' Examines Economic And Environmental Costs Of Sprawl

2011-10-19 06:33:45

Suburban sprawl in Southwest Idaho fouls the air, consumes farmland and threatens economic recovery, according to a new report from Boise State University’s College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs (SSPA). More...

New Partners for Smart Growth Conference - Feb. 2-4, 2012

2011-10-19 06:37:38

Sun, Surf, and Smart Growth: The 11th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference will be held February 2-4, 2012, in San Diego, CA. Mark your calendars and check back soon for more details on the next installment in this dynamic national conference series! More...

Creating Sustainable Communities Conference

2011-10-19 06:39:30

This one-day conference at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pa. on November 3, 2011 will showcase local examples of natural stormwater management, community gardens and school yards, green buildings and much more. Seats are limited, register today! More...

Livable communities project gets public input

2011-10-19 06:48:35

The Many Plans, One Community Livability Project kicked off its community input series this week with the first of six workshops seeking public suggestions for the update of Charlottesville and Albemarle County’s comprehensive plans. More...

Planner: Lakeland's Urban Growth Can Provide More Tax Revenue Than Malls

2011-10-19 06:50:46

City officials need to look downtown for tax revenue rather than sprawling, dense suburban developments. More...

Kakaako development adds 650-foot tower to seaside landscape

2011-10-31 13:23:22

HONOLULU—Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced on Thursday, October 27 plans for a mixed-use development in Kakaako called 690 Pohukaina. The effort is a public/private partnership that will include affordable housing, commercial space, and broadband capability.- More...

The Federal Government's Smart Growth-Inspired Landlord

2011-11-05 16:43:07

Robert Peck says he’ll gladly pay more to locate office buildings near transit – the time saved commuting makes it worthwhile. Peck isn’t any old office manager. He’s the commissioner of the GSA Public Buildings Service, also known as “the landlord for the civilian federal government.” He’s in charge of acquiring office space for all federal departments and agencies.

Five Ways Market Research Paints Bright Future for Public Transit

2011-11-07 10:23:47

At the Tuesday morning plenary of the Rail~Volution conference, William Millar made a bold pronouncement. More...

FTA grants will support more than 300 transit projects across America

2011-11-07 13:23:43

While millions of Americans were making their morning commute on public transportation today, I was meeting with Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and Detroit Mayor Dave Bing to talk about the future of transit in the greater Detroit area. More...

Phoenix-area projects reuse resources to help development, expansion

2011-11-07 13:29:12

In Chandler, worn conveyor belts, recycled tires and chunks of city sidewalk helped turn a landfill into a city park. More...

Air Base to Town Center?

2011-11-07 13:34:12

Officials provided direction yesterday for what the final picture of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove could look like once redeveloped. More...

2012 Arid LID Conference - March 27-29, 2012

2011-11-07 13:41:10

For the past two years, the AridLID Workshops held in Albuquerque, New Mexico have built a growing discussion and exposition of Green Infrastructure (GI) and Low Impact Development (LID) practices that are appropriate to the unique climates of the southwestern U.S. More...

Sustainability by Design: Retrofitting our Cities, Communities and Neighborhoods

2011-11-07 13:46:43

This conference will explore methods for transforming communities via new design models, including the City of Vancouver Ecodensity model and the new Portland Eco-district concept. More...

St. Paul offers long-range Central Corridor development vision

2011-11-07 13:50:23

As the Central Corridor light rail lane takes physical shape, with building and road closings already under way, officials in St. Paul want people to look beyond the stanchions and pickup trucks and see the big vision. More...

Partners Releases Second Edition of the Community Empowerment Manual

2011-11-07 13:52:47

More than a decade since the release the innovative original, Partners for Livable Communities announces the release of the second edition of its Community Empowerment Manual. More...

High-Speed Rail (Policy Focus Report)

2011-11-07 14:08:04

High-speed rail has been adopted throughout the world, and is now being planned and developed in the United States. Over the past 50 years, U.S. transportation spending has favored the development of interstate highway and aviation systems. More...

Norquist will be keynote speaker at 2011 Smart Growth Summit

2011-11-07 14:15:01

John Norquist, President & CEO of CNU, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at this year's Smart Growth Summit in Melville, New York, Friday November 18th. More...

High Costs Threaten California's High-Speed Rail Project, But the Wider Context Must be Understood

2011-11-07 14:22:09

The release of the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s revised business plan on Tuesday underlined concerns about the future viability of the nation’s biggest proposed transportation project: Not only would its completion have to be delayed significantly — to 2033 or later — but projected costs have risen dramatically, to $98 billion in year-of-expenditure dollars. More...

Agreement on Downtown Tunneling for Seattle Region's East Link Light Rail

2011-11-07 14:28:56

At a cost of $2.5 billion, Seattle’s planned East Link light rail extension project is one of the nation’s largest and most expensive transit expansion programs, which makes it remarkable in itself. More...

Senate Approves Federal Funding for Commuter Rail Tunnel Between NY and NJ

2011-11-07 14:35:56

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate approved a funding measure that includes a minimum of $15 million for Amtrak to begin design and engineering measures on a proposed railroad tunnel project to connect New Jersey and New York. More...

The Mile High Transit Opportunity Collaborative

2011-11-07 14:41:20

The Denver region is currently embarking on one of the most ambitious and extensive fixed-guideway transit expansions in the country. More...

Talking With Bill Warren: Disney city manager deals with 25,000 acres of constant change

2011-11-07 14:46:03

Bill Warren, 55, is district administrator for the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the semi-autonomous government that oversees Walt Disney World's vast property. Before joining the district, Warren spent 14 years with Walt Disney World, with roles in media and government relations, among others. More...

TOD Marketplace 2011 Colorado: November 17, 2011

2011-11-07 14:49:33

On Nov. 17, ULI Colorado’s TOD Marketplace: Real Places, Real Projects, Real Deals will provide opportunities to make deals at one of dozens of station areas in the FasTracks network. Registration is open now. For more information, visit ULI Colorado - TOD Marketplace. More...

Plan for Bus Terminal Tower is Dropped

2011-11-17 13:17:45

For more than a decade, a prominent New York developer has sought to build a glass skyscraper over the Port Authority Bus Terminal, transforming an eyesore at the west end of Times Square into an architectural showpiece. More...

Denver turns down private bid to extend commuter rail line

2011-11-17 13:22:36

Trains Magazine News Wire Article - Released:11/14/2011

Transportation investments spur private development in downtown Kent, Ohio

2011-11-07 14:59:18

When the federal government invests in infrastructure, the funds directly help communities with large, long-term projects. But these investments go beyond direct help: when the government invests in an area, private developers often follow its lead and invest as well. In doing so, these federal investments have an even bigger impact. More...

Merging smart growth and economic development in New Jersey

2011-11-07 15:04:46

New Jersey, the most densely populated state in the nation, has historically been a leader in smart growth efforts. In 1986 the state passed its State Planning Act which, among other things, mandated the creation of a State Development and Redevelopment Plan and a State Planning Commission to oversee the plan. More...

Maryland Designates Aberdeen as Sustainable Community

2011-11-08 22:29:26

Maryland Designates Aberdeen as Sustainable CommunityPatch.comThis project plans to help redevelop the commercial district and develop senior and workforce housing. "As these plans unfold throughout Maryland, with transit oriented development, new business facades, improved opportunities for affordable housing in ...Five Communities Announced for Sustainable Communities Act in MarylandCitybizlist Real Estateall 4 news articles »

Construction begins for Wheaton Safeway, apartments

2011-11-10 01:07:27

CT Jobs Bill Includes Transportation, Sustainable Development

2011-11-10 07:49:53

As a way to jump-start the state’s economy, the Connecticut General Assembly passed a $626 million bipartisan jobs bill last month.- More

Maryland Designates Aberdeen as Sustainable Community

2011-11-10 07:52:24

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and Maryland Department of Planning has designated Aberdeen as a sustainable community under the state's Sustainable Communities Act of 2010, according to a joint-announcement by the two departments on Monday. - More

Towns Wins $250000 Transportation Grant

2011-11-13 22:30:38

Towns Wins $250000 Transportation GrantHartford CourantWINDSOR LOCKS The town has been awarded a $250000 transit development grant from the state to help move its train stop back downtown. The town is one of 11 municipalities in Connecticut to secure a state transit-oriented development grant. ...

Has Portland Lost Its Edge?

2011-11-15 10:51:06

Rep. Earl Blumenauer says that Portland has done great things, but that other cities are catching up to the city's formula for success and will soon outstrip them. Read more...

Georgians Gung Ho for New Passenger Rail

2011-11-15 10:55:17

Passenger rail used to connect Columbus, Georgia with Atlanta, but the tracks have been silent since 1970. Today, local leaders and activists are pushing for a restoration of train service to Atlanta from Macon, Athens and Columbus. Read more

11th Annual Southwestern Pennsylvania Smart Growth Conference

2011-11-17 12:18:26

This long-running conference seeks to galvanize a 'businesses for smart growth' initiative for southwestern Pennsylvania, to spur economic prosperity and extend the region's signature livability.Original post blogged on the SmartGrowth Online Website.

Missoula to Assess Streetcar Reintroduction

2011-11-17 12:18:48

A new comprehensive analysis of Missoula's public transit system will include an assessment of reintroducing streetcars to the city’s urban corridors.Original post blogged on the SmartGrowth Online Website.

Boise Adopting New Smart Growth Guide

2011-11-17 12:18:57

Pending a mid-November approval at a public hearing, Boise will adopt an expansive guide for growth based on new urbanism and smart growth principles.Original post blogged on the SmartGrowth Online Website.

Senate Averts Amtrak cutback

2011-11-17 12:26:05

Deep cuts that would have crippled the Downeaster rail service between Portland and Boston have been sidetracked. More...

15 communities selected to receive free smart growth technical assistance

2011-11-17 12:34:48

Smart Growth America is pleased to announce the 15 communities that have been selected to receive this year’s free smart growth technical assistance. More...

Los Angeles Streetcar Plans: Too Duplicative of Existing Services?

2011-11-17 13:10:16

Los Angeles submitted an application for U.S. TIGER funds with the intention of building a downtown streetcar line. But the alignments proposed are very similar to those offered by existing rail and bus services... More...

California Republicans go after high speed rail funds

2011-11-28 10:56:20

Negotiators in the Senate and House of Representatives have reached an agreement on federal spending on urban initiatives and rail transportation for the 2012 fiscal year. More...

The Death of the Fringe Suburb

2011-11-28 11:38:47

Drive through any number of outer-ring suburbs in America, and you’ll see boarded-up and vacant strip malls, surrounded by vast seas of empty parking spaces. More...

HUD announces 2011 Sustainable Communities Grants awards

2011-11-28 11:44:04

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today its 2011 Sustainable Communities Grants, which aim to improve the economic competitiveness of communities by linking housing with good jobs, quality schools, and transportation. More...

Phoenix light rail extension wins federal funds

2011-11-28 11:45:47

Trains Magazine News Wire Article - Released:11/22/2011

Detroit light rail line cleared for federal funds

2011-11-28 11:46:10

Trains Magazine News Wire Article - Released:11/21/2011

BART To San Jose To Take $772 Million Step

2011-11-28 11:52:28

One of the costliest transit projects in the Bay Area is a $772 million contract, closer to construction come Dec. 8. The long-awaited BART extension from Fremont to the region's largest city may be contingent on FTA funding expected in February. More...

Alameda County commission proposes ballot measure to increase sales tax for transportation

2011-11-28 12:04:01

The newly formed Alameda County Transportation Commission is proposing a permanent, half-cent sales tax be placed on before the voters of the second most populous Bay Area county for the Nov. 2012 ballot for a variety of transportation purposes. Read more...

The Appeal of Modern Streetcars Continues to Mount, But There Are Obstacles to It Bringing Mobility Gains

2011-11-28 12:35:27

Streetcar projects are advancing seriously in cities across the nation, but their quick rise to the top of municipal transportation priority lists may not be matched by sound thinking in terms of project design.If the Obama Administrations push to construct high-speed rail lines has suffered numerous delays as a result of...More...

Now Funded, Hartford's Busway Survives a Decade of Dissent

2011-11-28 12:39:36

After thirteen years of planning, a federal financing guarantee puts the project to connect the Connecticut capital and New Britain on sound footing.The New Britain-Hartford busway, a 9.4-mile bus rapid transit line that has been under consideration since the late 1990s, has finally locked in the funds to be completed. More...

Funders Network for Smart Growth Annual Conference; Mar 26 - 28, 2012

2011-11-28 12:49:02

Learn from a network of national and place-based funders and leading practitioners how funding around growth and development issues increases the impact of your grantmaking. Registration is open to staff, trustees, and donors of all grantmaking institutions and public sector representatives. More..

Transforming the Suburbs Webinar

2011-11-28 12:57:05

The Form-Based Codes Institute is hosting a webinar in which Jason Beske and Geoffrey Ferrell discuss ways to improve sprawling suburbia on Wednesday, November 30. They will demonstrate the role of FBCs in suburban design and repair strategies, illustrated with real examples, in a 90-minute presentation with Q/A. More...

New England Smart Growth Leadership Forum, Dec. 2, 2011

2011-11-28 13:55:07

Leaders from around the New England region will examine what current funding battles in Washington means for the future of President Obama’s Sustainable Communities program, at the annual New England Smart Growth Leadership Forum Friday, December 2, 2001 at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. More...

Ohio: A State DOT That Doesn't Try to Hide Its Total Disregard for Bike-Ped

2011-11-28 14:01:08

Just how highway-focused is the Ohio Department of Transportation under John Kasich? Well, it’s not good. In fact, it’s sort of laughably, hilariously terrible (if you don’t live here, that is). More...

Cash-Strapped Wyoming DOT to Halt Highway Expansion

2011-11-28 14:08:13

Further evidence that the highway era in America is coming to a close: Under financial strain, a state DOT has stepped and up said it will stop expanding highways. More...

Transit Deserts Leave New Yorkers Thirsting for Access to Jobs

2011-11-28 14:25:34

Much progress has been made in the five years since Scott Stringer’s first transportation conference, but many transit riders are still wandering in the “transportation deserts” that were the focus of one afternoon panel at the Manhattan borough president’s follow-up event, Transportation 2030, this past Friday. More...

Cincinnati voters clear the way for streetcar, joining national trend

2011-11-28 14:30:16

This time it’s real. Cincinnati voters have (again) defeated a misguided attempt to block the city’s new streetcar, which now will move forward and could be operational as early as 2013. More...

Map Shows Price of Sprawl in Florida

2011-11-28 14:39:25

A new online interactive map allows Floridians to see how sprawling development affects their local taxes and home values. Original post blogged on the SmartGrowth Online Website. More...

Urban Land Institute advisory panel shares vision for Union Station area

2011-12-12 08:32:36

A crack team of urban design and development experts from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) descended on Los Angeles last week to help Metro and the city of L.A. develop its vision for the area...More...

Redevelopment Project Sweeps The Bay Area

2011-11-29 22:09:56

In San Francisco, almost one out of every six acres is slated to become parkland in the new urban infill projects in Mission Bay.read more Read More...

BART To San Jose To Take $772 Million Step

2011-11-29 22:14:38

Mayor may reject federal funds for transit center in Michigan

2011-11-30 00:55:42

Trains Magazine News Wire Article - Released:11/29/2011 Read More...

Amtrak launches free WiFi

2011-11-30 01:11:36

Trains Magazine News Wire Article - Released:11/29/2011 Read More...

MHSRA Responds to the House Transportation Committee Hearing on High Speed Rail

2011-12-12 09:37:33

Earlier today, Members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure discussed the status of the Federal Railroad Administration’s High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) program. At the hearing, Committee leadership unveiled a new strategy that simultaneously sought to project themselves as both opponents and supporters of high-speed rail.-More...

How Manhattan's Grid Paved the Way to Success

2011-12-12 10:49:19

A new exhibit at The Museum of the City of New York calls New York's 1807 master plan "The Greatest Grid." Jon Meacham takes us on a tour of the exhibit with curator Hilary Ballon. Read More...

Requiem for a Train

2011-12-12 11:17:22

If you live in Los Angeles, Orlando, Cincinnati, Chicago, Milwaukee, Raleigh, or any number of other U.S. cities, chances are you’ve read a news story that started something like this: Read More...

Walkable Neighborhoods Gaining Popularity -- Even in the Suburbs

2011-12-12 11:21:22

Last week, my colleague Chris Leinberger wrote a provocative op-ed in the New York Times titled "The Death of the Fringe Suburb." Read More...

Is Jersey City a Suburb? Joel Kotkin Thinks So.

2011-12-12 11:22:44

Earlier this week, a friend who works for the city of Jersey City emailed Joel Kotkin’s column, in which Kotkin attempts to downplay the idea of an urban renaissance: Read more...

Facing Funding Shortfalls and Protest, Better Rail for Boston Region is Delayed

2011-12-12 12:20:22

Just northwest of Boston, Cambridge and Somerville are some of the nation’s exemplar cities when it comes to promoting transportation alternatives. In Somerville, 48% of the population rides transit, walks, or bikes to work; in Cambridge, 57% do. More...

Cuomo: I'll Include Transit in Infrastructure Fund

2011-12-12 12:24:02

When New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a press release describing his tax and stimulus plan this week, he sketched out an infrastructure bank that would draw funds from accelerated payments from the state, couple them with money from the Port Authority and private pension funds, and leverage all that to create a $10 billion investment fund. More...

Union Station Panel Says Area Could Be Downtown's Next South Park

2011-12-12 12:27:47

Union Station could be the center of Downtown's next big development boom, a panel of land use experts told the city and Metro on Friday morning. More...

Byram Township Wins National Smart-Growth Grant

2011-12-12 12:41:35

Congratulations are due again to Byram Township for its continuing commitment to smart-growth development. Smart Growth America has just awarded the township a technical-assistance grant, one of 15 awarded across the country from 90 applications. Byram was the only New Jersey municipality to be awarded a grant. More...

A frugal answer to zoning pitfalls, needlessly slashed

2011-12-12 13:10:36

These shouldn't be controversial statements - gasoline isn’t getting cheaper; land is finite and exhaustible, so sprawl is a waste of land; building new roads and sewer lines is more expensive than using the ones that already exist; it’s no fun to sit in traffic. More...

A Highway Runs Through It

2011-12-12 13:24:42

As the St. Louis Arch itself neared completion in 1964, before the surrounding park became anything more than a parking lot and construction site, the area was amputated from the city by what would come to be referred to as a “crushing maze of infrastructure”. More...

Free Federal Money May Doom a Transit Center in Troy

2011-12-12 13:28:11

For the past few years the small city of Troy, Michigan, has looked forward to the completion of an $8.5 million multi-modal transit center. More...

Imagining a City Without Its Public Transportation

2011-12-12 13:33:08

Officials from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority are out in the city all the time talking about the costs of the capital region’s transit system – the money it takes to run the thing...More...

Maryland mall to become a 'town'

2011-12-12 13:52:47

The 30-year-old White Flint Mall on the Rockville Pike in North Bethesda, Maryland, "is going to be deconstructed," says Mike Cohen, the architect for its replacement. "It's not going to be a mall. It's going to be a town." More...

DOT Gives Houston $900 million for Light Rail

2011-12-12 13:59:19

Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff recently signed two agreements providing $900 million to extend Houston's light rail system by an additional 12 miles.Original post blogged on the SmartGrowth Online Website. Read More...

Is Sustainable Zoning the Future of New York City?

2011-12-16 11:53:28

In September, the New York City Bar Association Committee on Land Use, Planning, and Zoning published a paper about the future of zoning titled “Further Utilizing the Zoning Resolution to Create a More Sustainable New York City...More...

NYC DOT: Commuter Biking in NYC Doubled in Last Four Years

2011-12-16 11:57:55

This just in from the NYC DOT. Their numbers show commuter cycling has doubled in the last four years and nearly quadrupled since 2001. More...

Report: Transit Ridership Up For Third Quarter in a Row

2011-12-16 11:59:40

The American Public Transit Association released figures today showing transit ridership has risen for the third quarter in a row. More...

The Case for Congestion

2011-12-16 12:28:01

Yogi Berra once said, "nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded." It’s certainly true that people complain about congestion. Yet it’s just as true that popular destinations tend to be crowded. More...

Fast rail could energize downtown Philadelphia

2011-12-16 12:34:47

A new high-speed rail line in the Northest Corrider would make central Philadelphia a linchpin of an integrated Northest regional economy by 2050, according to speakers in a recent transportation forum in Philadelphia. More...

The Bullet-Train Misfire

2011-12-16 12:42:30

A recent poll in California brought bad news for high-speed-rail supporters. Three years after about 53 percent of the state's voters approved a $9.9 billion bond package for California's high-speed-rail project..More...

Columbia Pike streetcar is a bargain versus new highways

2011-12-16 12:47:04

The mainstream press holds transit projects to a higher cost-effectiveness standard than highways, as recent coverage of the proposed Columbia Pike streetcar demonstrates. More...

USDOT Announces TIGER III Award Recipients

2011-12-16 12:49:32

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced the recipients of the third round of TIGER grants. USDOT is awarding a total of $511 million to 46 innovative transportation projects in 33 states and Puerto Rico. More...

Making the most of limited transportation dollars: WYDOT does it right

2011-12-16 12:54:45

State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) across the country face tightening budgets, and one DOT recently stepped up to make the most of the funds it has. More...

Study: Single-Family Homes May Be History.

2011-12-16 13:00:31

A new study from the Urban Land Institute suggests single-family homes, the largest contributor to urban sprawl, may be a thing of the past. More...

Smart Growth America Visits Middle Tennessee to Learn about Quality Growth Best Practices

2011-12-16 13:06:40

Cumberland Region Tomorrow (CRT) recently hosted a network of quality growth experts from across the country to learn about successful quality growth models and best practices in Middle Tennessee. More...

Lawmaker's high-speed rail plan: Will it fly?

2011-12-16 13:10:57

How fast can high-speed trains come to the Northeast corridor? Not fast enough for Republican Rep. John Mica of Florida. More...

Can Urban Transit Hubs Help Revitalize New Jersey's Cities?

2011-12-16 13:19:17

New Jersey's Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit program has become popular with corporations and residential developers recently, with more than half of the program's $1.5 billion committed to 13 projects over the past two years. More...

Report: Infrastructure projects would grow state

2011-12-16 13:24:41

A national transportation research organization has identified 50 transportation-related projects that it says would support economic growth in Maine and improve residents' quality of life. More...

Detroit light rail line plan scrapped

2011-12-16 13:38:28

Trains Magazine News Wire Article - Released:12/14/2011 Read More...

Twin Cities Sustainable Communities Conference

2011-12-22 12:33:23

Date: March 23-24, 2012. Location: Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Sponsored by the Alliance for Sustainability, this seventh annual conference will focus on linking citizens and cities to create more sustainable communities. Visit the Alliance... Read More...

Making transit better is no easy task

2011-12-22 12:50:42

Hanging on a wall in Neil McKendrick's office at Calgary Transit is a giant map detailing every twist and turn of the city's complex transportation network. At a glance the display of roads, bus routes and LRT lines looks like a children's maze in which the goal is to find the way out without hitting a dead-end. Read More...

GSA will put federal agencies near Metro stations

2011-12-22 12:54:13

The General Services Administration, which handles the federal government's real estate, has signed an agreement that should lead to the placing of large federal offices near as many as four Metro rail stations that have not previously attracted much development. More...

Report Touts Economic Benefits via Maine Transportation Projects

2011-12-22 12:59:13

The report put out by TRIP, a Washington, DC non-profit sponsored by insurance companies and transportation labor unions, highlights about 50 trips that are likely to generate economic growth when completed. More...

How to Boost Biking and Walking Even Further in Your City

2011-12-22 13:04:10

After being acclaimed as America’s best city for biking, what can you possibly do for an encore? Well, in the case of Minneapolis, you do even more bicycling—and more walking too. More...

A Plan for America's Largest Urban Park

2011-12-22 13:15:30

A new project, backed by at least $17 million from the state, aims to turn 140,000 acres of under-used and post-industrial land along the Second City's southern rim into a public recreation hub called the Millennium Reserve. More...

Kochville Township approves ordinance aimed at making businesses more pedestrian friendly

2011-12-22 13:20:06

Tuesday board of trustees meeting, they approved an ordinance designed to make Kochville more pedestrian friendly. More...

Cities Face Tough Choices as U.S. Slashes Block Grants Program

2011-12-22 13:22:28

It is no secret that these are hard times for cities, with tax collections down, state aid dwindling, unemployment high and foreclosures pitting many blocks. So, as he sat in his office here..More...

Maryland To Offer Preferential Funding For Smart Growth

2011-12-22 13:26:12

The rate of land consumption in Maryland is three times the rate of population growth, according to the state's department of planning. That's a lot of urban sprawl for a small state. More...

LOCUS developer project will turn strip mall into transit-oriented development

2011-12-22 13:41:41

It’s an all too common sight throughout the U.S.: a big-box retailer surrounded by a sea of parking lots, with a gas station near the entrance, the whole area spotted with a handful of token trees. More...

Denver planners eye land for beltway open space

2011-12-22 13:46:34

Denver metro planners who often don't see eye to eye on land use are trying to create a green ring of public open space flanking the metro area's two-thirds completed high-speed beltway. More...

Transportation and Transit Studies Under Way for Route 1 Corridor

2011-12-22 13:51:19

The Route 1 corridor in southeastern Fairfax County sees more than 60,000 vehicles per day—and it doesn't seem like any of those drivers are happy with the status quo on the 7.5-mile stretch of congested highway. More...

Report: Big roads projects, big cities, big impact

2011-12-22 13:54:05

Building new roads doesn't always boost economic development, a new study by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln concludes, but large projects in larger communities have helped increase wages. More...

Transit Mode Shares for Sports Venues

2011-12-22 13:56:42

The New Starts Working Group led by Reconnecting America Board Member Jeff Boothe of Holland and Knight has put together a nifty chart showing the share of riders that take transit to sporting events in some major cities. More...

Northern Va. Leaders Worry About 'Devolution'

2012-01-09 08:37:12

The debate over how to fund transportation needs in Virginia seems to be never-ending, but there’s one idea gaining steam in Richmond that has both Republicans and Democrats in Virginia’s D.C. suburbs worried: “devolution.” More...

California Budget Supports Bullet Train, Would Create New Transportation Agency

2012-01-09 08:38:57

California Governor Jerry Brown released his 2012-2013 budget yesterday — six days earlier than planned — after the document was accidentally posted on the state’s Department of Finance website. And yes: it still funds high-speed rail. More...

Filling in the Blanks Of New York's Infrastructure Plan

2012-01-09 08:42:14

How much of his prepared remarks did New York Governor Cuomo skip over in yesterday’s State of the State? A lot. But he got in plenty of time for a whimsical PowerPoint presentation. More...

Getting Around the Bay in 2012 Just Got Harder and More Expensive

2012-01-09 08:44:05

Last year, commuters of all kinds came to terms with one fact: getting somewhere, anywhere, is harder than it used to be. Here in the Bay Area, drivers faced higher gas prices and bridge tolls. More...

Now He Can Say It: Walder Calls NY's Infrastructure "Terrible"

2012-01-09 08:47:10

Jay Walder, who abruptly resigned from New York’s MTA last year to run Hong Kong’s well-funded rail system, told reporters on his first day at his new job that New York’s transit system was cash-strapped and crumbling when he took over in 2009. More...

New Jerseyans on Toll Hikes: We Don't Care Why They're Being Raised, We Just Care That We Have To Spend More Money

2012-01-09 08:51:30

How do New Jerseyans feel about the New Year’s toll hike on the Turnpike and Garden State Parkway? Notsogood. More...

New South Florida Rail Connection to Miami International Airport Almost Done

2012-01-09 08:53:39

For close to three years, Miami-Dade Transit workers have been banging out 2.4 miles of track. And now AirportLink Metrorail — a rail connection to Miami International Airport — is slated to be finished this spring. More...

New York's Lost Subways (Complete with Map and Dusty Pics)

2012-01-09 08:56:00

The New York City subway system has 842 miles of track, making it the largest in North America. And there’s even more to it than riders see: dozens of tunnels and platforms that were either abandoned or were built but never used. More...

MBTA fares could rise as much as 43 percent; ferry, bus, commuter rail cuts also eyed

2012-01-09 09:07:06

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation today unveiled two scenarios for fare increases and service cuts on the MBTA public transit system, saying they were needed to close a yawning budget gap. More...

Creating Sustainable Cities by Rethinking Finance for Retrofitting

2012-01-09 09:10:47

Serious Energy is pioneering a retrofit funding model in the US, spurred on by its success in selling solar arrays. The start-up has already snapped up some big business, including the refurbishment of all 6,514 windows in the Empire State Building... More...

After 40-Year Battle, Train May Roll for Oahu

2012-01-09 09:14:12

From the farmlands here on the western side of Oahu, the hotels of Honolulu and the bluffs of Diamond Head can be seen rising 20 miles in the distance. More...

Transforming Transportation Conference

2012-01-09 09:17:00

Join us for the ninth annual “Transforming Transportation” event at the World Bank in Washington, D.C. on January 26-27, 2012.
This year’s conference will focus on big ideas to scale up sustainable transport best practices in cities worldwide. More...

Back to Basics for Detroit Light Rail

2012-01-09 09:22:04

Just three weeks after Detroit leaders announced that they had abandoned efforts to build a 9.3-mile light rail line down Woodward Avenue, the city’s central strip, Mayor Dave Bing revealed on Friday that he would allow a shorter link funded by a private group to move forward if it submitted an acceptable business plan within 90 days. More...

Opening and Construction Starts Planned for 2012

2012-01-09 09:26:04

The uncertainty in Congress over the future of funding for the nation’s transportation programs has not yet hit local transit authorities, which will collectively spend billions of dollars this year on enhancements to their local public transportation networks. More...

CNU-Wisconsin Hosts Two January Events

2012-01-09 09:32:16

Mark your 2012 Calendars for January 9th and March 12th and for a free event and exchange of ideas and information. Monday, January 9, 2012, Milwaukee Streetcar System Presentation and Monday, March 12, 2012, New Urbanism in Old Neighborhoods: Revitalizing Urban Living. More...

Demand Grows for Smart-Growth Work Environments

2012-01-09 09:35:10

According to a survey done by commercial real estate firm CBRE of tenants in its New Jersey properties, the three most important amenities sought by firms as they evaluate office space are: More...

The cost of auto orientation

2012-01-09 09:39:15

In the United States we've proceeded for sixty years with reconfiguring our public spaces to accommodate the automobile. The built in assumption of this approach, especially when it comes to commercial property, is that the more cars driving by the better. More...

Seattle Bridge Toll Eases Traffic. Will It Boost Transit, Too?

2012-01-09 09:45:42

Located on a pair of peninsulas, the city of Seattle isn’t so easy to reach from its eastern suburbs. Only two bridges cross Lake Washington. Newly-installed tolls across one of the two, the SR-520 bridge, have the potential to seriously reshape travel patterns in the region. More...

Changing Skyline: Suburbia's outer ring losing shine, some economists say

2012-01-09 09:49:44

I set out the other day to find the outer edge of the Philadelphia suburbs and ended up in a Chester County subdivision called Oakcrest. More...

Airport-BART Connection Materializing Amid Cost Disputes

2012-01-09 09:52:01

Nearly 10 years in the works, a connector between Oakland International Airport and the BART transit system is taking shape. Read More...

The Tea Party vs. smart growth

2012-01-09 10:02:11

The Tea Party movement in Virginia has a new whipping boy: smart growth. One focus is Chesterfield County, the largest suburban area in the Richmond region, which has been beset with the woes of overbuilding and lax oversight for decades. More...

Spotlight on Sustainability: Indianapolis, Indiana

2012-01-09 10:06:13

It’s not a place where you might expect to see smart growth: the “Crossroads of America”, the home of one of the most significant motorsport races in the world, and a big city with some of the lowest ridership in the country. More...

Join Smart Growth America at the 2012 New Partners for Smart Growth Conference

2012-01-09 10:09:03

After celebrating its 10th anniversary last year in Charlotte, NC, the New Partners for Smart Growth conference begins its second decade back where it started in San Diego, CA. Sun, Surf, and Smart Growth: The 11th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference from February 2-4, 2012..More...

Can Amtrak Ever Make Money?

2012-01-09 10:14:09

The Freakonomics blog recently invited me and a few other people to share some thoughts on Amtrak – the money-losing, somewhat underutilized national passenger rail system. The question Freakonomics posed is simple: Can Amtrak ever be profitable? More...

The Tricky Second Wave of Urban Highway Removals

2012-01-11 08:07:39

Dismantling urban freeway—replacing elevated viaducts of steel and concrete with parks and boulevards—is happening in so many places, it’s like an unspoken national urban policy. More...

Midwest Rail Lives! Work Underway in Four States

2012-01-09 10:30:39

Intercity rail dreams in the Midwest have certainly seen their share of setbacks — with federal funds being returned in Ohio, Wisconsin and, more recently, Michigan. But all is far from lost. More...

Why California needs high-speed rail

2012-01-11 08:30:11

In 1956, the Federal Highway Act steered the American Dream away from small towns, streetcar suburbs and central cities toward today's auto suburb. It fit the time, shaped our communities, generated economic growth and changed our identity. More...

HUD awards Choice Neighborhood planning grants

2012-01-11 08:35:24

Thirteen cities received Choice Neighborhood planning grants from US Housing and Urban Development on Tuesday. More...

The Recession Squeeze On Buses and Trains

2012-01-11 08:42:24

For the average American driver, the time wasted in traffic jams has more than doubled in 30 years. The best way of easing that gridlock — not to mention saving gas, curbing pollution and finally finishing that novel — is public transit. More...

Bumpy road on transportation funding

2012-01-11 09:01:50

WHAT IS IT about transportation legislation that it seems to hit so many roadblocks? Congress is staring down a March 31 deadline for a huge transportation-funding bill that will help address some of the nation's crumbling bridges and roads, and it promises to be a bumpy ride. More...

Do Arlington candidates only like smart growth in theory?

2012-01-11 09:07:31

Every Democratic candidate running for Arlington County Board claims to support smart growth. But when smart growth runs up against single-family homeowners' interests, are they willing to make tough choices? At a recent forum, statements from most candidates weren't promising. More...

Is this pedestrian safety or just pedestrian removal?

2012-01-11 09:12:58

If you take the Metro to White Flint, Montgomery County welcomes you with a large and unfriendly wall. The county Department of Transportation built the wall several years ago to stop pedestrians from using a popular, existing crosswalk. More...

Report Maps Out How New Transit Can Benefit Disadvantaged Communities

2012-01-11 09:22:16

Last fall, Streetsblog reported on the complex relationship between economically disadvantaged neighborhoods and the transit-oriented development projects intended to revitalize them. Often, the same people who stand to gain the most quality-of-life benefits from new transit also face the greatest risk of being displaced by the rising property values associated with TOD. More...

The Health Impacts of Transportation

2012-01-11 09:24:54

Like a drunk uncle at a family funeral, transportation projects in major cities tend to air out a community's normally hidden dirty laundry. In the abstract, it is hard to dispute the value of an efficient intercity mass transit system. More...

For Smaller Towns, Paying for Sidewalks Isn't Always Simple

2012-01-11 09:49:21

For decades, the city of Missoula, Mont., had a pretty simple rule concerning sidewalks: if you want one, you pay for it. Property owners would be assessed the construction fee of building sidewalk in front of their property.. More...

A Fight for the Future of San Diego

2012-01-11 09:53:52

When you ask the people of San Diego what they want in a transportation system, the answer is usually balance. In a 2009 survey by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California, 75 percent of San Diego residents thought the region should complement its existing highway system by expanding the transit network and implementing programs like congestion pricing. More...

The 10 Emerging Sustainable Cities to Watch in 2012

2012-01-19 12:29:47

When “green,” “sustainable” or resilient cities come to mind, the usual suspects crop up: Portland, Amsterdam, San Francisco and even high-tech Abu Dhabi score plenty of attention. More...

Portland: balance the budget yourself

2012-01-19 12:38:16

Portland's Tri-Met faces another horrible funding shortfall this year, but they've come up with a good survey tool to engage the public in their decisions about what services to cut. More...

Eau Claire objects to fast train through Milwaukee

2012-01-19 12:41:15

At the urging of Council Member Russ Stark and the city’s Planning Commission, the St. Paul City Council is poised to approve a resolution today that supports plans to pursue a high-speed rail line from the St. Paul Union Depot to Chicago via Milwaukee. More...

Rumors of light rail death in Detroit exaggerated

2012-01-19 12:50:27

After a light rail line was cancelled by Mayor Dave Bing in December, private investors and US DOT refused to give up on the idea. A scaled-down version has been proposed. More...

Undoing a huge mistake - the Rochester Inner Loop boulevard proposal

2012-01-19 12:52:12

The Inner Loop is a 2.75-mile-long freeway that put a noose around the downtown of Rochester, New York. More...

When shops and services are within walking distance, we walk more and drive less

2012-01-19 12:54:31

New research from Southern California has found that residents of neighborhoods with a central core of shops and services – a pattern typically found in older, traditional communities – walk nearly three times more often than do residents of neighborhoods whose nearest shops and services lie along a major arterial roadway – a pattern typically found in newer suburban development. More...

Is the City of St. Louis a Safer Place in 2011 Than in 1971? How Are We Supposed to Know?

2012-01-19 13:00:09

he question seems simple: is the city of St. Louis becoming a safer place? Recent reports would have you believe it is. More...

Housing outlook is more upbeat

2012-01-19 13:03:02

Optimism is building that the housing industry is nearing a bottom — finally. More...

Innovative State and City Government Solutions to Watch in 2012

2012-01-19 13:08:50

Although the Great Recession officially ended in June 2009, communities throughout the United States are still struggling to cope with the effects of the biggest economic downturn since the Great Depression. More...

An R&D Lab for Transit Tech Tools

2012-01-19 13:14:28

Don’t lie: Sometimes you’re afraid of the bus. Bus route information is pretty uniformly awful. You don’t know where the stops are. If you do know where the stops are, you don’t know when the bus will come. More...

Subway Blues: Car Commuters Are Getting Bigger Tax Breaks Than Transit Riders

2012-01-19 13:18:12

Just before New Year’s, on a packed NJ Transit train into New York City, I overheard a woman crystalize America’s attitude toward public transportation. More...

Planning debate focuses on what land should be developed, preserved

2012-01-19 13:58:27

The opening stage of what could prove to be a lively debate over what land in New Jersey should be targeted for development or preservation began Tuesday at the State Planning Commission. More...

Maryland Smart Growth Weakness Frustrates Stakeholders: UMD Study

2012-01-19 14:13:11

Maryland planners, developers and land-use advocates consider the state's smart growth tools too weak, frustrating their desire for development within existing urban areas...More...

Retailers are embracing urbanism with zeal

2012-01-19 14:28:04

As enclosed malls continue to decline and close, more and more retailers are opting to locate in pedestrian-friendly urban districts. More...

Brookings Institute ranks Oklahoma City, Tulsa's growth

2012-01-19 14:55:52

Oklahoma City and Tulsa are among eight metropolitan cities listed as topping commodities growth among 200 global cities surveyed by the Brookings Institute. More...

Mayor Bookmeyer outlines vision for 'sustainable growth'

2012-01-19 15:03:23

Mayor Eric Bookmeyer laid out his plan for “sustainable growth” in his state of the city message to the City Council Tuesday night. More...

Smart-growth trend shifting focus away from sprawl

2012-01-20 08:39:10

Shifting demographic and economic factors, coupled with a state policy that encourages smart-growth principles, signal a shift in the decades-old debate over suburban sprawl. More...

Minnesota Cities Identify Sustainable Practices With GreenStep Cities Program

2012-01-20 08:44:13

Sometimes getting employees to accept new procedures is hard work. Rebecca Haug, environmental administrator for Elk River, Minn., has seen staff struggle with adopting conservation-minded practices in the workplace. More...

What's the Best Way To Get Users To Embrace Mass Transit?

2012-01-20 08:51:51

A few months ago, at an urban mobility conference in Frankfurt, the British consultant Charles Leadbeater presented a sort of x-y matrix for thinking about how to manage and design cities. More...

Wisconsin, Minnesota ponder expanding Amtrak service

2012-01-20 08:54:27

Wisconsin, Minnesota and Amtrak officials have started talks that could lead to expanding the current passenger train service between Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis-St. Paul. More...

Regulations that promote sprawl are ebbing

2012-01-20 08:57:56

Form-based codes, which combat sprawl, are growing in popularity across the US, Canada, and internationally, according to the Codes Study, a collaborative effort led by Professor Emily Talen of Arizona State University, and Hazel Borys, principal at the Placemakers urban design firm. More..

Miami Beach Bike Path Clears Final Hurdle, Construction Begins Tomorrow

2012-01-20 09:02:10

A new bicycle and pedestrian path is cleared for takeoff on Miami Beach. After yesterdays meeting of the Miami Beach Historical Preservation Board, a planned shared bicycle and pedestrian project overcame a final hurdle, with the board voting unanimously...More...

Board weighs eliminating Metro stop at Dulles

2012-01-20 09:07:23

The airports authority in charge of building the Metro rail extension to Dulles International Airport is considering eliminating the Metro station at the airport. More...

SF Central Subway funds get a key OK

2012-01-20 09:09:47

San Francisco has received a key approval from federal officials to move forward on its 1.7-mile Central Subway, Mayor Ed Lee said Wednesday. More...

Occupy Boston takes on MBTA fare hikes, service cuts

2012-01-20 09:11:34

As public opposition mounts for service cuts and fare hikes proposed by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Occupy Boston activists have turned their attention to the issue. More...

Washington, D.C. to Host Transportation Camp 2012

2012-01-20 09:17:42

After completing two successful Transportation Camp events in 2011 (in San Francisco and New York City), OpenPlans, a nonprofit technology organization, is hosting this year’s Transportation Camp in Washington, D.C. this weekend. More...

More walkable urban development is good. But is it good enough?

2012-01-20 09:27:33

Where would you rather be - here? Or here? Let’s try it again. This time assume you are an environmentalist who understands that we need more urban density in order to reduce suburban sprawl. More...

No Closure for Denver's Beltway Loop

2012-01-20 09:36:56

Breathes there a soul who really, truly, loves a beltway? Maybe, but you are not likely to find one here in this little city in the Rocky Mountain foothills west of Denver. More...

Leading the Way to Green

2012-01-20 09:39:33

Nine years ago the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA), Virginia’s housing finance agency, became concerned about the construction quality, attractiveness, and durability of the state’s tax credit developments. More...

Smart Growth Means Economic Development

2012-01-20 09:43:53

Thursday night, I am the warm-up act for Catherine Smith, the commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development, at a 1000 Friends of Connecticut gathering at 6:30 p.m. at Hartford's Union Station. More...

Senate Amendment Blocks Unprofitable Transportation Projects

2012-01-20 09:46:18

In a spirited debate on the Senate floor Thursday afternoon, the Senate undertook a $130 million appropriations bill which included an amendment to prevent the MBTA from expanding capital projects which operate at a fiscal deficit. More...

SC DOT Responds to Cyclist Death By Considering Bike Ban

2012-01-20 09:48:31

For almost two decades Charleston cyclists have been using the James Island Connector — a highway-like corridor that is one of the only points of entry to the peninsula that is the city of Charleston. More...

Houston's "Pedestrian Pete" Has a Bone to Pick

2012-01-20 09:50:54

Meet Pedestrian Pete, otherwise known as Houston notable Peter Brown. More...

TSTC Interview: ConnDOT Commissioner Jim Redeker

2012-01-20 09:53:30

In 2007, after a troubled widening of I-84, a reform commission reported that the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) “badly needs fundamental change.” More...

Take a Walk

2012-01-26 08:52:49

The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates once said that "walking is man's best medicine." Some 1,400 years later, it looks like the same prescription may be just what the doctor ordered for the housing industry as well. More...

Street Makeovers Put New Spin on the Block

2012-01-26 08:55:34

The recession may have robbed city governments of the wherewithal to enhance public places. But some undaunted architects, planners, and community activists are trying urban design experiments that are deliberately cheap, temporary, and unofficial. More...

Are streets more walkable if the sidewalks are removed?

2012-01-26 09:01:22

For most of us, when we’re walking in the city, the safest place to be is on the pavement or sidewalk. However a new movement in urban street design, called ‘Shared Space’, is challenging this kind of thinking. More...

Finding The Will To Infill

2012-01-26 09:04:21

Back when land was cheap and plentiful, developers pushed residential and commercial growth to the outskirts of the Las Vegas Valley, leapfrogging over vacant parcels and leaving patches of undeveloped desert scattered throughout the city. More...

Smart growth is healthy growth

2012-01-26 09:06:48

Good planning is good public health policy. Why do I say this? As a pediatrician, I see first-hand the negative health impacts of sprawl development on our children, whose asthma is worsened by air pollution caused by too much driving. More...

Mill redevelopment in Lawrence, Lowell, Haverhill coming back strong after recession

2012-01-26 09:09:28

When plans to turn the old Wood Mill in Lawrence into luxury condominiums fell through in 2007, city leaders held their collective breaths. More...

Strategic Conservation Planning Using the Green Infrastructure Approach

2012-01-26 09:14:06

This introductory course provides participants with a strategic approach for prioritizing conservation opportunities and a planning framework for conservation and development – integrating the green and the grey. More...

2012 National Main Streets Conference

2012-01-26 10:57:47

For more than 30 years, the people who have been investing, shopping and living in Main Street communities have been waiting for the rest of the nation to figure out what we have known all along - Main Street's time is now. More...

Growing Sustainable Communities -- Conference Announcement and Call for Papers

2012-01-26 11:00:11

Presented by Sustainable City Network and Climate Communities, this conference will educate leaders and staff on the latest sustainability ideas, plans and best practices in municipal water use, transportation, energy use and resource management. More...

M.T.A. Board Loses 2 Members and Star Power

2012-01-26 14:56:02

Two members of the board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority resigned on Wednesday. One will leave to spend more time running the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; the other will have more time with her new spouse, Paul McCartney. More...

Promoting Sustainability through Zoning Reform in Philadelphia

2012-01-26 14:57:37

In case you missed the news in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, on December 22, 2011, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter signed a new comprehensive zoning ordinance into law. More...

Does New Jersey Have Room to Grow?

2012-01-27 09:18:15

Of New Jersey’s 566 municipalities, more than half (328) had fewer residents as of the 2010 Census than they had at some time in the past, even though the state’s overall population is the largest that it has ever been. More...

The DNA of place and the ROI of movement

2012-01-27 09:20:31

The corporate culture of our government has been a carte blanche to keep doing what we’ve been doing. This culture implies that what we’ve been doing works. More...

Trackside Developments Catch On

2012-01-27 09:30:36

More than a century ago, before the term “transit-oriented development” entered the urban-planning glossary, plenty of it was being built in Westchester: clusters of housing, shops and sometimes industrial buildings close to railroad stations. More...

Montana Rail Link cuts costs and emissions with help from the EPA

2012-01-27 09:33:52

Transportation planners, public health professionals and a private railroad in Missoula, Montana are working together to reduce diesel emissions and improve air quality. More...

With rapid growth, there's no better time for tomorrow than today in Iowa

2012-01-27 09:35:27

The population of Central Iowa is growing fast, and it needs new strategies for development if it wants to turn that growth into prosperity. More...

Windsor approves plan for future growth around downtown train station

2012-01-27 09:40:56

Windsor's train station doesn't have passenger rail service yet, but it's already dictating how the town will grow over the next 20 to 25 years. More...

Photo gallery: Metro Denver's planned transit-oriented developments

2012-01-27 09:43:17

In the last 10 years, “transit-oriented development (TOD)” has gone from a new buzz phrase to reality for Denverites. More...

Birmingham, AL looks for ways to grow smarter

2012-01-27 09:45:27

In 2000, the average resident of Birmingham, AL drove 34.8 miles each day, and only 2% of residents took transit or walked to work. Now, Birmingham is looking to change these trends and asked Smart Growth America for ideas about how to do it. More...

'Hotlanta' isn't what it once was

2012-01-27 09:47:50

For decades, I have known, studied and admired metro Atlanta as an outsider. It gives me no pleasure to say Atlanta is no longer Hotlanta. More...

Alton gets grant for multi-modal center

2012-01-27 09:50:45

The recent announcement that Alton is receiving a federal, $13.85 million grant for a regional train station/multi-modal transportation center came quicker than officials thought would happen, if at all. More...

Does California Need High-Speed Rail?

2012-01-27 09:54:01

President Obama and Newt Gingrich can agree on at least one priority: high-speed rail. But Floridians decided they would rather not have one. Now the debate is raging on the West Coast. More...

The MBTA's Fiscal Crisis Hinders Economic Growth, Harms Environment

2012-01-27 09:57:53

The MBTA is facing a fiscal crisis today, but the resolution to that crisis will have repercussions for many years. Drastic service cuts and fare increases will not only burden today’s commuters and travelers; More...

At last, Buffalo's fair share

2012-01-27 10:01:53

We understand why other upstate cities are covetous of the billion dollars' worth of affection that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is prepared to lavish on Buffalo. They want some loving, too. We might feel the same in their shoes. More...

Youth-Powered Hopes Drive Howard Ahead

2012-01-27 10:04:05

More than 500 people turned out for the dedication of Maroney Commons in Howard, SD, August 2011 -- the culmination of over a decade of inclusive community problem-solving and action. More...

Upper Marlboro could be 'attractive place for business' under smart-growth designation

2012-01-27 10:08:09

Upper Marlboro town officials have a vision of the downtown area as a vibrant walkable hub for businesses, restaurants and shops, with a streetscape complete with sidewalks throughout the town, but the town has lacked either the money or manpower to make that idea a reality. More...

Walkable Community Videos from Dan Burden

2012-01-27 10:13:50

The Community Redevelopment Agency of Martin County, Florida recently commissioned Dan Burden of the WALC Institute to produce three short videos on the basics of walkability, road diets and head-out angled parking. The videos are available to watch online. More...

Study: Bicycling Generates $365 Million in Economic Activity in Iowa

2012-01-27 10:17:31

About $1 million per day, or $365 million per year – that’s how valuable the cycling industry is in Iowa, according to a new study by University of Northern Iowa. More...

Partisan Labor Fight Threatens Indianapolis's Game-Changing Transit Vision

2012-01-27 10:19:18

Over the last few years, greater Indianapolis has been thinking big about transit. They developed a plan to double bus service and add new rail lines. They even identified funding (a 0.3 percent income tax hike) and built a viable political coalition around the vision ...More...

Transportation Bill Heats Up Again in Congress

2012-01-27 10:20:39

There’s been plenty of buzz over the last few days surrounding Congress’s efforts to pass a multi-year transportation bill. More...

College Presidents Kill Baltimore Bike Lane

2012-01-27 10:22:38

The city of Baltimore has a golden opportunity to build more livable college campuses. Unfortunately it appears intent on wasting it. More...

Bike Ban Averted in Albuquerque, City Moves to Add Bike Lanes Instead

2012-01-27 10:25:36

Albuquerque is a League of American Bicyclists certified “Bronze-Level” Bike Friendly Community. So everyone was a little taken aback when it looked like the city was pursuing a bike ban on a popular thoroughfare last week. More...

Mixed-Use Development Delivers Huge Public Returns Compared to Sprawl

2012-01-27 10:31:16

Walkable development pays — that’s the conclusion of a study recently outlined in Planetizen. For cities and towns facing tight budgets — just about everywhere in the United States right now — the smart way to boost tax revenue is to encourage mixed-use, walkable development, as the above graphic amply illustrates. More...

Study: streetcars could bring $8B in development for D.C.

2012-01-30 12:18:13

The District’s proposed 37-mile citywide streetcar system could attract up to 7,700 new jobs, raise property values by up to $7 billion and bring in as much as $8 billion in new development over the next decade, according to a study released last week by the D.C. Office of Planning. More...

Most Metra riders will pay 30% more starting Wednesday

2012-01-30 12:20:48

With the largest Metra fare increase about to kick in, longtime train commuter Melinda Shepherd wastes no words summing up her feelings about it: "Angry but helpless," she said. More...

Bridges and Roads to a Better Michigan

2012-01-31 12:34:46

In times of fiscal crisis, state and local governments often give infrastructure investments short shrift, based on the assumption that any major expenditure is simply too costly for tight budgets to bear. More...

One Metro, Three Vastly Different Approaches to Public Transit

2012-01-31 12:44:56

The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area is home to nearly 6.4 million residents, the fourth largest metro area in the country. But what makes the Metroplex especially interesting is the disparate ways its three principal cities handle transit. More...

What Pictures Can Teach Us About Walkability

2012-01-31 12:48:07

I’m not sure there is any one word that describes my concept of a sustainable community place more than walkability. At least when it comes to describing the physical aspects of a place. Is it safe, comfortable, and enjoyable to walk in? More....

New funding for new infrastructure

2012-01-31 13:44:55

Henry Cisneros argues that new urbanist principles can be applied to infrastructure, resulting in new, smarter, more efficient and more environmentally responsible public facilities. More...

Is Phoenix's goose cooked? The metabolism of cities.

2012-01-31 13:47:43

Is Phoenix’s goose cooked? It certainly looks that way, judging by this persuasive book. Austin Troy argues that every city has an “energy metabolism.” More...

The Greening of Houston

2012-02-03 11:37:09

After many years, Buffalo Bayou is finally coming on its Nixon in China moment. Or, perhaps, a little bit of Paris in Texas. More...

What Taxis Add to Public Transit

2012-02-03 11:43:48

Last week David King, an urban planning professor at Columbia, posted to his blog a video that charts the origins and destinations of yellow cabs in New York City over a 24-hour period. More...

Smart Growth Experts Tout San Diego

2012-02-03 12:21:09

Civic boosters are fond of calling San Diego "America's Finest City". Using strictly objective criteria, the nation's leading urban planners see San Diego as one of America's most "manageable and sustainable" cities. More...

Ways and Means Proposal Would Derail How America Gets To Work And Put Public Transportation On Life Support

2012-02-03 12:23:35

Americans take 10 billion public transportation trips every year to and from home, work, grocery stores, schools, and medical offices. These trips literally and physically move the nation’s economy. That economic engine is about to hit a wall. More...

Indy's Super Bowl Building Boom

2012-02-03 12:43:58

Every city that hosts a Super Bowl gets a kind of thank-you gift from the NFL: a million-dollar matching investment for a youth education center in a disadvantaged part of town. The idea, on the NFL’s part, is to give hosting cities some permanent legacy after the big, expensive party is over. More...

Top 25 Transportation Sources to Follow on Twitter

2012-02-06 12:10:07

Twitter can be a valuable resource for transportation consultants, developers, redevelopment agencies, planning departments and others who want to scope out trends, stay connected with the public, share information, and meet other professionals working on similar projects. It’s also a quick way to find the latest news about the transportation industry. More...

Time to Fight

2012-02-07 11:27:38

Actions by members of the U.S. House over the past week suggest that Republican opposition to the funding of alternative transportation has developed into an all-out ideological battle. Though their efforts are unlikely to advance much past the doors of their chamber, the policy recklessness they have displayed speaks truly poorly of the future of the nation’s mobility systems. More...

More Cell Phones on NYC Subway

2012-02-07 13:28:19

MTA officials are moving forward with plans to make cell phone service available at more subway stations. The next two will be Times Square and Rockefeller Center. More...

Amtrak gets go-ahead to operate 110-mph trains in Michigan

2012-02-08 13:59:47

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has given Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation approval to operate passenger trains at speeds up to 110 mph in western Michigan and northern Indiana. -More...

Transit and the Power of 'No'

2012-02-13 10:04:25

To close a budget shortfall estimated at $161 million, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and its riders are being forced to choose between unappealing options: a large fare increase, or a more moderate fare hike coupled with significant service cuts..More...

CNU 21 in Salt Lake City!

2012-02-13 10:38:39

Living Community:People, Place and Stewardship. More...

Study underway on high speed rail service from Omaha to Chicago

2012-02-13 10:55:59

The Federal Railroad Administration and the Iowa Department of Transportation are conducting a passenger high-speed rail study that will look at the viability of such a service in the Midwest. Iowa D-O-T spokesperson Amanda Martin says H-D-R Consulting in Omaha was hired to help them facilitate an Environmental Impact Statement. More...

Atlanta begins a streetcar resurgence

2012-02-13 11:02:14

US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood went to Atlanta Feb. 1 to join Mayor Kasim Reed in putting shovels into the ground for a 2.6-mile, 12-stop streetcar line running through downtown. More...

Two Governors' Sucker Punches at the Port Authority

2012-02-13 11:17:26

“Poor management!” “Reform is long overdue.” Our gubernatorial bruise brothers, Chris Christie of New Jersey and Andrew M. Cuomo of New York, howled denunciation of the Port Authority this week, describing it as encrusted with dysfunction. More...

A Terrible Transportation Bill

2012-02-13 11:42:26

The list of outrages coming out of the House is long, but the way the Republicans are trying to hijack the $260 billion transportation bill defies belief. More...

T riders out in droves to protest fare hikes

2012-02-13 12:20:39

More than 3,000 ticked-off T riders have attended the 16 public meetings held so far by the MBTA on its proposed fare hikes and deep service cuts, spurring a groundswell of support for prodding Beacon Hill to help solve the T’s budget crisis. More...

State, region should partner on transit

2012-02-13 12:26:10

Today, more than 2 million workers support metro Atlanta’s economy, a number which is projected to more than double over the next three decades. Because these workers live and commute to their jobs all across this region.. More...

States recommend Richmond-Raleigh high-speed rail alignment

2012-02-13 12:29:24

Virginia and North Carolina released their proposed recommendations for a preferred alignment for the Southeast High Speed Rail project from Richmond's Main Street Station to Raleigh, N.C. More...

Bayshore bike lanes represent progress; more to come in 2014

2012-02-13 12:36:11

For decades, Bayshore Boulevard has welcomed runners and walkers with sweeping views of the sea and 4.5 miles of straight-line sidewalk. More...

Spotlight on Sustainability: Columbia, TN

2012-02-13 12:39:59

The heart of Columbia, Tennessee lies along a highway and commercial corridor; the James Campbell Boulevard. It was built at the city’s peak when demand was high for retail space and office buildings, but in the past several decades the needs of the City have changed. More...

Transit officials looking to Ludwig and his posse for help

2012-02-13 13:39:50

Run along, raucous teens. Ludwig van Beethoven is performing at the Lake Street light-rail station. The Metro Transit system has turned on great composers in hope of turning off loiterers, vagrants and other troublemakers attracted to the station. More...

Blue Ridge Road study seeks momentum

2012-02-13 15:08:11

As the home of a sports arena, an art museum, state fairgrounds, a hospital and a university research campus, Blue Ridge Road should be one of the city's showplace corridors. But the street suffers from an outdated, car-centric layout that looks like something from the 1970s - an affront to Raleigh's quest for walkable, transit-friendly districts. More...

Washington State City Puts Transit Authority in Hot Seat

2012-02-14 09:43:38

A Washington state legislator representing Federal Way, a city just over 20 miles south of Seattle, wants the state to do annual performance audits on Sound Transit, the region’s public transit authority, contending that it needs feedback to improve a tarnished reputation. More...

The price of speed

2012-02-21 15:09:08

The need for speed devours huge chunks of American cities and leaves the edges of the expressways worthless. Busy streets, for almost all of human history, created the greatest real estate value because they delivered customers and clients to the businesses operating there. More...

Top 10 freeways to tear down

2012-02-21 15:11:19

As cities grapple with rising infrastructure costs and constrained finances, removing costly freeways with value-adding surface streets is gaining recognition. Boulevard conversions are now seen as a cost-effective, practical alternative to rebuilding expensive expressways. More...

Ride The Tide of Light Rail, Virginia Beach

2012-02-21 15:14:09

Just six months after opening, Virginia’s first light rail transit system, located in Norfolk, is already exceeding ridership expectations. Now it’s time for the Commonwealth’s largest city, Virginia Beach, to hop aboard and extend the light rail all the way to the Atlantic oceanfront. More...

Making City Streets Safer

2012-02-22 08:46:46

When it comes to moving people around in healthy ways, New York City already has a leg up on most cities and towns around the country. The city has sidewalks in all five boroughs; food stores and other shops are within walking distance of where most people live. More...

New Native American village based on tradition helps a Tribe reclaim its sustainable roots

2012-02-22 08:57:41

The Ohkay Owingeh Tribe and Pueblo in New Mexico has returned to its roots with an award-winning, mixed-income housing project based on traditional Native forms. It's an exciting and inspiring project. More...

Nashville's promise for a greener transportation future

2012-02-22 08:59:55

The regional planning authority for the Nashville, Tennessee metropolitan area has embarked on a new philosophy to put the notoriously sprawling region on a less polluting and less consumptive path, anchored by walkable neighborhoods, public transportation, and maximizing the efficiency of current roadways. More...

Cyclists, pedestrians find oasis in Seattle's urban 'greenways'

2012-02-22 09:02:24

Bob Edmiston was ready. He had his bike. He had his route to work at the University of Washington. So last February, he started cycling from his Madison Park home through the Washington Park Arboretum. More...

Transportation Choices Summit

2012-02-22 09:05:07

Californians need real transportation choices: safe, abundant and affordable options for walking, biking and transit. Our economy, environment and quality of life depend on it! More...

Railvolution 2012

2012-02-22 09:10:21

October 14 - 17, 2012 in Los Angeles, CA. For more information, go to www.railvolution.org/. More...

Sustainable Communities Resource Center

2012-02-27 08:01:44

HUD’s Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities (OSHC),in partnership with the Office of Policy Development and Research, is pleased to present the Sustainable Communities Resource Center (SCRC) — a new section of HUDUSER.org dedicated to providing you with information that supports local and regional strategies, with an emphasis on sustainable housing and planning. More...

The Lofts at Reynoldstown Crossing

2012-02-27 08:03:59

As one of the last planned mill cities in the Northeast, Lawrence, Mass., was engineered specifically to maximize the water energy potential flowing on the Merrimack River. Between the 1840s and the 1960s, the city’s textile industry generated a constant flow... More...

The surprise in the transportation budget

2012-02-27 14:04:42

Though hardly anyone has noticed, the proposed 2013 budget of the US Department of Transportation (DOT) promises a remarkable advance: It takes livability mainstream. More...

Chicago Commits to Downtown Bus Priority

2012-02-27 14:08:59

A year and a half after Chicago won $24.6 million in federal funds for the construction of an urban circulator downtown, the city announced this week that it will contribute $7.3 million in tax increment financing to improve the state of bus service in the urban center and link commuter rail stations to office buildings. More...

Metro pushes again for lockdown on fare evaders

2012-02-27 14:24:58

There's an open secret about getting on the subway in Los Angeles — you don't really have to pay the fare. Turnstiles are unlocked, security is lax and commuters often hop over or pass through undetected. More...

The Grocery Store of the Future?

2012-02-27 14:28:00

People do any number of things while waiting on the platform for the next subway or commuter train. Some pre-walk to position themselves at the best station exit for their destination. Some just mindlessly pace. More...

Raleigh likes walking idea, not the signs

2012-02-27 14:31:15

City Planning Director Mitchell Silver was strict but sensitive when it came time Wednesday to enforce the rules against posting a sign without a permit.
He praised a civic-minded guerrilla campaign by graduate student Matt Tomasulo, who put directional signs at downtown street corners to promote the act of walking. Then, gently but without apology, Silver said the signs would have to come down. More...

A Framework For Transit Oriented Development In Florida

2012-02-27 14:35:31

The Florida Department of Transportation's "A Framework For Transit Oriented Development In Florida" has been added to the Resource Center best practices. More...

Updated and Expanded H+T Index Reveals Combined Housing and Transportation Affordability Has Declined Since 2000

2012-03-05 13:03:28

CNT has just released the latest version of the Housing + Transportation (H+T®) Affordability Index, using the most up-to-date Census data. While this is exciting news for those who have used the Index in the past, the news on affordability isn’t so bright. More...

'No parking' plan causes stir

2012-03-05 14:25:40

The Collegetown Crossing proposal by developer Josh Lower in Ithaca, New York, would be beneficial to the neighborhood in many ways. More...

Hubs of transportation: Developers making big transit bets

2012-03-09 09:02:13

As the Bay State makes its way out of the housing slump, developments are starting to take shape everywhere. Gone are the days of sprawling “McMansions” — now developers are focusing on transit-oriented developments. More...

Senate Passes 2-Year Transportation Bill

2012-03-16 12:41:05

The Senate easily approved a two-year, $109 billion transportation and infrastructure bill on Wednesday, putting pressure on House Republicans to set aside their stalled version and pass the Senate’s before the federal highway trust fund expires at the end of the month. More...

Suburban sprawl and your health

2012-03-16 12:45:35

New Jersey invented suburban sprawl, says Richard Jackson, a Jersey-born physician who studies the connection between our homes and our health. His conclusion: Sprawl is killing us. More...

St. Louis Neighborhoods with Light Rail See Gains

2012-03-16 12:57:34

From 2000-2010, St. Louis lost approximately 8% of its residents. More...

Transportation Secretary LaHood Kicks Off Construction of Cincinnati's New Streetcar Line

2012-03-16 13:00:24

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood helped kick off construction of a new 3.9-mile streetcar line that will spur Cincinnati’s efforts to revitalize its downtown core by improving access to major employers, the developing riverfront, and many area attractions.More...

Uptown neighborhoods looking to reform on-street parking policies

2012-03-16 13:03:26

The streets of Clifton Heights, University Heights, and Fairview (CUF) are becoming more congested each year. As the University of Cincinnati (UC) enrollment increases, it has become a struggle to provide enough housing units and places to store automobiles. More...

Kimberly, Idaho aims to implement cool planning program with aid from Smart Growth America's technical assistance

2012-03-20 12:04:25

Next week, Smart Growth America will meet with staff from the City of Kimberly, ID as part of a free, grant-funded technical assistance program aimed at assisting the City of Kimberly implement a cool planning program.Residents are invited to attend the meeting, which will take place on Monday, March 12, 2012 from 6–8 PM at the new Rock Creek Fire Station. More...

New Jersey Isn't Capitalizing on Demand for Walkable Places

2012-03-20 12:10:45

New Jersey is an anomaly among the 50 states in that it is highly urbanized yet lacks a major center city to claim as its own. The state’s home-grown urban centers all live in the shadows of their much larger neighbors, New York and Philadelphia. In fact, New Jersey is widely perceived as consisting mainly of suburbs serving these two cities, even if many of its small towns do not fit the low-density, single-use stereotype of a “suburb.” More...

Report castigates New Haven road plan

2012-03-20 12:21:42

The New Haven Urban Design League says Mayor John DeStefano Jr.'s proposed replacement of the Rt. 34 expressway is so badly flawed that it should be replanned through a charrette. More...

Moving toward 'affordable living' at Orenco

2012-03-20 12:25:26

The well-known new urban community Orenco Station west of Portland, Oregon, is getting affordable housing adjacent to a light rail stop. According to the The Oregonian... More...

Time to take the project for transportation reform to New Jersey

2012-03-20 12:30:09

Dear New Jersey: It’s time to get angry. Angry about road fatalities. Recently, the Tri-State Transportation Campaign posted an article on its blog, “2011: A Most Dangerous Year for New Jersey Drivers.” The article shows how unsafe New Jersey roads really are. More...

Real estate downturn fails to discourage an Alabama town

2012-03-20 12:31:51

The Village of Providence in Huntsville, Alabama, continues development despite the severe real estate downturn. The project was designed in 2002 in a charrette led by Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company. More...

New Haven Seeks Relief From Highway Din

2012-03-20 12:38:39

Sara Jamison is hoping for more peaceful days and nights with her 1-year-old son now that the state of Connecticut has found a way to answer neighbors’ pleas to block noise and pollution from a highway in her New Haven neighborhood. Jamison (pictured with Eliot Soto) lives on Lyon Street, in a section of Wooster Square that was split by Interstate 91. More...

Transportation lobby sees road to short-term highway spending legislation

2012-03-20 12:40:47

Transportation industry observers are not expecting the House to take up the $109 billion transportation bill passed last week by the Senate before the end of the month, increasing the necessity of a short-term extension, which leaders in both chambers have said they hope to avoid. More...

MO: Farmers' Markets to Sprout at Metro Stations

2012-03-23 13:28:12

Under a new deal between Metro transit and a mobile farmers' market, riders can now shop for locally grown fruit, veggies, eggs and cheese at bus and train stops. More...

Distance-Based Fares Aren't Very Fair

2012-03-26 11:06:35

Mayor Emanuel and President Clinton’s announcement of an “Infrastructure Trust” has gotten many people thinking about innovative ways to revamp our aging transportation infrastructure. More...

Housing in America: Innovative Solutions to Address the Needs of Tomorrow

2012-03-26 11:09:40

The Bipartisan Policy Center Housing Commission, partned with the Jack Kemp Foundation, will be presenting a forum on regional housing entitled "Housing in America: Innovative Solutions to Address the Needs of Tomorrow." More...

How Will Boomers Reshape U.S. Cities?

2012-09-27 07:52:53

Walk around Arlington County, Va., the compact, urbanized jurisdiction just outside Washington, D.C., and you may start to notice some interesting design details. The sidewalks are wide -- six feet in commercial areas and five in residential neighborhoods. Pedestrian “walk/don’t walk” signals have been replaced with newer versions that count down the seconds left before the light changes. And buses sit lower, eliminating the need for passengers to climb up and down steps to board and exit.

These are just a handful of the new elements that have been implemented in recent years as Arlington has pursued a plan to prepare for its aging baby boomer population. In 2006, the county assembled a task force to examine what it would need to do to accommodate older residents. The move was prescient, but to some residents it may even have seemed unnecessary. Arlington is a bastion of young, educated, urban professionals, many of them working for the federal government and associated industries. More than one-third of the county’s residents are between the ages of 25 and 39; nationwide, fewer than one in five Americans fall into that age range. But county leaders knew that change was on the horizon. By 2030, the county’s over-65 population is projected to double, and its over-85 group is set to almost triple. In the not-too-distant future, officials realized, their relatively small population of seniors would become vastly larger. Read More...

L.A. Subway Ready for Construction, But Completion Could be 25 Years Off

2012-03-26 11:23:31

Of the nation’s public transportation improvement projects, Los Angeles’ Westside Subway is one of the most important: It would offer an alternative option for tens of thousands of daily riders and speed up travel times by up to 50 percent compared to existing transit trips. More...

Driving Down in Twin Cities, Up in Minn. Suburbs and Exurbs

2012-03-26 11:26:19

A study by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) found that after decades of steady growth, the number of annual Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) within the state has been virtually flat since 2004 and actually declined slightly in 2009 and 2010. More...

A Long Slog Back for Seattle Housing Values

2012-03-26 11:28:29

The housing market continues in the doldrums throughout much of the nation. Seattle hit a new low in December, according to the S&P Case-Shiller index, the national leader in measuring the housing market. More...

TOD As A Transportation Strategy: 2001 Analysis Questions Value

2012-03-26 11:32:03

Daniel Luscher's 2001 evaluation of transit-oriented development as a traffic congestion reduction strategy has been added to the Resource Center best practices database. More...

Parking around Seattle may get worse as city planners favor transit

2012-03-26 11:41:25

The nine "no parking" signs and threats to tow 24/7 at Jim Hobbs' auto shop on Queen Anne don't deter people determined to run across the street to Trader Joe's or duck into any of the nearby cafes, coffee shops, offices or churches. More...

Why Don't Young Americans Buy Cars?

2012-03-26 11:51:53

Kids these days. They don't get married. They don't buy homes. And, much to the dismay of the world's auto makers, they apparently don't feel a deep and abiding urge to own a car. More...

Scenario planning tools in bloom

2012-04-13 12:24:46

If scenario planning software was arrayed on a shelf, for many planners it could be a dizzying experience, figuring out which visioning tools were right for their challenge. Some have become somewhat famous. More...

Cincinnati Does Not Smell Like Used Kitty Litter

2012-04-13 12:27:59

I don't know which is fouler: That Tidy Cats kitty litter has an ad campaign that encourages people to “share what stinks in your life,” or that the brand erected a billboard in Cincinnati naming the city's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood as one of those poopy things. More...

What Cities Gain When Their Airports Are Close to Downtown

2012-04-13 12:30:14

We've all experienced the frustration of getting off a flight then enduring a long, trafficky drive downtown. What a difference it can make to be able to zip to your meeting or hotel on light rail or the subway. More...

A Data-Driven Case for Walkability

2012-04-13 12:35:33

About a year ago, NRDC Executive Director Peter Lehner asked me what one word, if I had to choose, would most closely describe a smart, sustainable community. Peter thought that the word might be density. But I chose walkability instead. More...

A postmodern gem, reconsidered

2012-04-13 12:38:55

Much has happened to the art of skyscraper design in the 30 years since architect Michael Graves won the design competition that led to the construction of the quintessentially postmodern Humana Building here, not the least of which is that postmodernism itself fell into disrepute. More...

Streetcar project kicks off

2012-04-13 12:41:24

The modern streetcar project shifted into high gear Thursday, as hundreds of people turned out for its kickoff celebration. More...

From Heavy Industry to Great Neighborhood: Lawrence, Massachusetts leverages its community resources

2012-04-13 12:43:16

Build Stuff Near Train Stations

2012-04-13 12:45:19

Stamford, Conn. is home to a commuter rail station heading in to New York City. Currently, land near the station is largely allocated to be used as parking lots or parking garages. But the Connecticut Department of Transportation is considering the possibility that the land is sufficiently valuable that.. More..

APTA: As Gas Prices Mount, Transit Savings Approach Historic Highs

2012-04-20 06:31:54

The American Public Transportation Association issues monthly reports on how much people can save by taking transit — using something in the $9500-a-year range. This month, the number is $10,126, with New Yorkers saving almost $15,000 a year, Bostonians $13,675, and San Franciscans $13, 339. More...

Billings to receive EPA resources for collaborative planning

2012-04-20 13:13:39

At a Tuesday morning press conference, the Environmental Protection Agency’s top official for the region officially announced that the City of Billings will receive as much as $75,000 in resources to put toward collaborative infrastructure planning. More...

Why Bigger Cities Are Greener

2012-04-20 13:22:39

Cities and metros are not only leading the way in sustainability; they offer an intrinsically greener, less wasteful and more energy efficient way of life. Earlier this week I mapped the geography of carbon emissions across U.S. cities and metros. More...

Southern Cities that Built Around Cars are Now Building Towards Sustainability

2012-04-23 08:46:55

Cities like Atlanta, that have grown up in the age of the automobile and air conditioning, are making efforts to green their environmentally unfriendly buildings and spaces, explains Emily Badger.read more Read More...

More Americans Biking to Work

2012-04-24 07:48:16

Many commuters living in growing urban areas are opting to ride bikes to work as an alternative to congested roads and higher gas prices. Read More...

Study: Tenn. urban forest yields $640M in benefits

2012-04-24 08:02:15

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A study by the U.S. Forestry Service finds that trees in Tennessee's urban areas provide the state with environmental benefits valued at nearly $640 million a year. Read more...

Southern California Adopts $524 Billion Regional Plan

2012-04-24 08:07:48

"We can expect a reduction in per capita emissions, supporting the construction of new homes and businesses but with a plan to connect the dwellings with multiple transportation options, preserving the natural beauty of the California landscape for today’s recreation and our future generations enjoyment, and ensuring that businesses remain in the Golden State and prosper,” said Ikhrata in a statement. Read More...

Not sure how to load your bike on the bus? This video breaks it down

2012-04-24 08:14:10

Not sure how to load your bike on the bus? This video from @MetroTransitMN breaks it down.

Turning a Traffic Nightmare Into a Transit Dream

2012-04-24 13:07:44

In an opinion piece for the Los Angeles Times, parking guru Donald Shoup sees the proposed construction of a new football stadium in downtown LA as an opportunity to boost mass transit ridership in the city. Read More...

The Biggest NYC Infrastructure Project You Haven't Heard of...

2012-04-24 13:19:37

NYC's long-declining waterfront industry is expected to experience a new boom time, as the expansion of the Panama Canal will allow double the cargo and much larger ships to call at New York's harbor by 2024. Read More...

On Black Sea Swamp, Big Plans for Instant City

2012-04-24 13:24:09

ZUGDIDI, Georgia — Reaching the site where Georgia’s government is breaking ground for Lazika, its grandiose city of the future, requires navigating livestock — shaggy cows and huge spotted hogs that sunbathe on the road to the hypnotic chirping of innumerable frogs. Read More...

Mass transit gains momentum in Houston Area Survey

2012-04-25 10:04:55

This year's Kinder Houston Area Survey found strong support for mass transit and a growing number of people who say they want to live within walking distance of work and shopping, reflecting what survey founder Stephen Klineberg predicts will become a fundamental shift in one of the nation's most car-centric cities. Read more...

Green Infrastructure Could Save Cities Billions

2012-04-25 10:14:28

Compared to canvas grocery bags or CFL light bulbs or even solar panels, larger "green infrastructure" projects such as roof gardens or permeable streets can be hugely expensive. It turns out, however, that they're actually not that expensive when compared to the costs of building more traditional infrastructure, and can even save money. According to a new study, governments are wasting billions of dollars a year by not going green. Read More...

Urban Center Is Budget Hole

2012-04-25 10:17:03

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The tab is mounting for this Midwestern city on a bet it made during the real-estate boom on an $850 million entertainment district meant to breathe new life into its struggling downtown. Read More...

Transportation policy needs push to get moving

2012-04-25 10:23:11

Transportation is crucial to keeping the U.S. economy humming. Strategic investments in smart transportation projects with defined outcomes can help ensure our future prosperity. There must be adequate support, both for the maintenance of existing systems and for the expansion and interconnection of new systems. That’s not happening now. Read More...

Woodward light rail line group says it will pay for first 10 years of operations

2012-04-25 10:26:34

The private-sector group that wants to build a 3-mile light rail line on Woodward Avenue from downtown Detroit to the New Center said today it has raised all of the money it will need to build the line – and is pledging to fund the operations of the system privately for the first 10 years after it’s built. Read More...

A desire named streetcar

2012-04-25 10:31:02

Is public transit all about getting there quickly and conveniently, or about having fun and looking cool? The new First Hill Streetcar line will give us one, but we could have had both. Read More...

Are Green Cities Sitting on a Golden Goose?

2012-04-26 13:41:06

Quick – what's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Copenhagen? If you answered "bicycles," you're not alone. But the Danish capital is about more than just two-wheelers; it's blazing trails in every aspect of urban sustainability, from energy efficiency to environmental governance. Read More...

State of the Union

2012-04-27 11:36:41

Shortlisted teams unveil vision boards for LA's Union Station area. Read More...

I-90 Construction - Summer 2012

2012-04-27 12:18:06

MetroRail MLK Station Transit Oriented Development

2012-04-27 12:35:43

Edmonton: Transit oriented development is part of the City's vision for how our city grows.

2012-04-27 12:38:48

Utah: What's the Secret Sauce?

2012-05-02 05:54:19

Stuff is getting built in Utah. In spite of concerns that the uncertainty of federal funding is holding back construction of essential infrastructure improvements across the country, somehow Utah is barreling forward with highway and transit investment, and planning for more. Read More...

From the New York Transit Museum archives

2012-04-30 07:07:23

Urbanism works for small towns, too

2012-04-30 07:17:25

Urbanism can be scaled to fit all types of development, from big city to rural. Read More...

Streetcars, trolleys making a comeback in the US

2012-04-30 08:39:22

What is the Secret to World-Class Transit Systems? Congestion Pricing

2012-04-30 12:44:40

Top transportation officials from three global cities — London, Singapore and Stockholm — shared their experiences in expanding the use of transit at a panel at the Regional Plan Association’s annual conference. Read More...

Active Living for All Ages: Creating Neighborhoods Around Transit

2012-04-30 13:09:42

Houstonians want more transit, walkable urbanism

2012-05-02 05:58:46

The latest Kinder Houston Area Survey reveals that most Houstonians want a more walkable city with better transit access. Read More...

Suburban Swap: Trading a Backyard for a Train Station

2012-05-02 11:18:39

LumberYard is a transit-oriented development, or TOD, one of a growing number of mixed-use developments that combine town houses or condominiums with retail shops, hotels and other businesses—all perched near a train station. Read More...

Linking Transit-Oriented Development, Families and Schools

2012-05-03 07:46:59

Central to a vision of sustainable and equitable development is the goal of creating “complete communities,” whereby all residents, regardless of race or class, have equal access to jobs, services, and community amenities. Read More...

Spotlight on Sustainability: Denver, CO

2012-05-03 10:52:16

Over the past few decades, efforts at revitalization have made major progress in creating more walkable and recreational spaces, as well as cleaning up the river itself. Read More...

How to Make Transit (and Biking and Walking) Sexy

2012-05-04 06:34:20

Can we make people look longingly at mass transit? Can we give biking and walking the aura of cool that has long been the province of the automobile? Read More...

High-end apartment push is on in Somerville

2012-05-07 06:17:44

Developers have set their sights on Somerville as the next best place to build high-end apartments. Read More...

City gearing up as more cyclists commute to work and ride for fun

2012-05-07 07:13:08

More than 30,000 people took to city streets Sunday for the annual TD Five Boro Bike Tour, a 40-mile route that weaves from downtown Manhattan to Staten Island. Read More...

City launches new interactive bike map, bike plan survey

2012-05-07 07:22:21

To kick off Bike Month and the Bicycle Master Plan Update, the city has launched some new online tools to help people find good bike routes and make recommendations for changes. Read More...

Try a new commute! It's easier than you think.

2012-05-07 08:12:55

Remaking A 1950s Planned City, MIT-Style

2012-05-08 06:46:01

Students from the university are finding ways to turn a sleepy city into a powerhouse of modern urbanism, and learning simple ways to turn any city into a city of the future. Read More...

Charlotte's Evolution from Sprawling Metropolis to City of Sidewalks

2012-05-08 07:40:46

Not too long ago, Charlotte, North Carolina, was an emerging metropolis attempting to solve its explosive population growth issues through sprawling development. However, over the past 20 years, it has consciously reinvented itself. Read More...

Looking back on Portland's Golden Age of bicycle advocacy

2012-05-08 10:07:06

TriMet became the first large transit agency in the country to become 100% bike accessible. The low floor MAX light rail cars which allowed easier boarding with bikes were another direct outcome of our work — and another first. Read More...

What is walkability?

2012-05-08 10:13:30

There's No Such Thing Of Supercar!

2012-05-08 10:50:07

City Councilmember Tommy Wells on creating great neighborhoods in Washington DC

2012-05-08 11:08:49

Wells gave a name to the type of lifestyle for which he advocates: “Five-minute living.” Being able to walk, bike or take public transit to one’s destination as opposed to driving further away offers innumerable benefits to the community. Read More...

City Councilmember Tommy Wells on creating great neighborhoods in Washington DC

2012-05-08 11:11:08

The Rise of the Bus-Riding Celebrity?

2012-05-09 05:47:10

Kartheiser moves around the city without a car: He tells Romano how he takes the subway or two buses to the Mad Men set while he works on crossword puzzles or practices his lines, thinks it's easy to navigate the various bus routes, and changes into his clothes when he arrives at auditions to stay fresh. He even utters some pretty memorable lines about how much he enjoys being part of the 10% of L.A.'s population that's transit-dependent. Read More...

Zipcar at UIC

2012-05-11 10:19:46

City Unveils Locations of Bike-Share Stations

2012-05-11 10:24:59

“New Yorkers created this plan during the past six months, contributing time and expertise in workshops, online and in dozens of meetings to discuss and plan the city’s newest transportation system,” said Janette Sadik-Khan, the department’s commissioner. Read More...

A Jackson Square renaissance

2012-05-14 05:56:41

Expo Line is Going Places

2012-05-14 06:18:26

The Art of Transit

2012-05-14 06:23:14

Part of a very interesting “Then and Now” series, superimposing old photos with new urban landscape. The photo shows the Spadina Streetcar – and its previous incarnation as a Belt Line streetcar. Read More...

GOOD Attacks: A Traffic Infographic

2012-05-14 06:27:09

Volatile Gas Prices Point to Increased Use of Public Transportation

2012-05-16 06:18:19

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and Building America's Future (BAF) today released a study predicting that record numbers of Americans will turn to public transportation as a cost-cutting measure in the face of volatile gas prices. Read More...

Walkable communities in demand, will lead housing market recovery new report finds

2012-05-16 06:23:48

This report predicts that areas with homes within walking distance of amenities and public transportation will recover more quickly and more strongly than those without these features. Read More...

In Minneapolis, urban planning guru Charles Landry encourages consideration of cities' "ethical landscape

2012-05-16 08:16:31

City planning guru Charles Landry says urban planners should emphasize social and cultural capital over their traditional reliance on economics alone in the development of cities. Read More...

Bus rapid transit has green light to launch Read more at the San Francisco Examiner: http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/transportation/2012/05/bus-rapid-transit-has-green-light-launch#ixzz1v2wav25m

2012-05-16 08:23:17

A plan to run swift-moving buses down the center of Van Ness Avenue was unanimously approved by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency on Tuesday. Read More...

Playing along the Railroad Tracks

2012-05-16 08:30:16

Birmingham, Alabama, has taken a unique approach to redevelop its core. Using the industry on which the city was built and its abundant natural resources, the city has developed Railroad Park, a 19-acre (7.7 ha) greenway connecting downtown Birmingham with the region’s major employer and one of the nation’s leading research institutions, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). In short, Birmingham is using its past to build its future. Read More...

How Baton Rouge Brought Its Transit System Back From the Brink

2012-05-16 10:00:34

It’s funny how often public transit referendums bring out the the best in local communities. The case of Baton Rouge, Louisiana is a perfect example: Voters recently decided to essentially double investment in public transit — rescuing their transit agency from a long slide into irrelevance. Read More...

Port Authority's Rack n Roll

2012-05-16 12:35:06

Neighborhood affects how much we walk, bike and take transit, survey finds

2012-05-17 07:18:45

Regional transportation planners say those and other findings in their latest survey of how people get around reveal in rare detail the ways that rapidly changing communities are affecting people’s travel behavior. Read More...

Haymarket pushcart vendors need to embrace change

2012-05-17 09:59:44

THE POST-Big Dig era is coming for Haymarket’s pushcart vendors. It remains to be seen how they will fit into this new era, which will inevitably bring high-value real estate development and a broadening of the number of markets operating in Haymarket Square. Read More...

NYC DOT explains Bike Lanes in the Big Apple

2012-05-17 11:14:03

Mixed-Use Development Makes More Cents for Cities

2012-05-18 06:48:28

More and more planners and design professionals have recognized the benefits of implementing sustainable New Urbanism principals. Read More...

Arizona DOT Study: Compact, Mixed-Use Development Leads to Less Traffic

2012-05-18 13:00:08

How did more compact neighborhoods manage to have less congestion? It’s not just because residents there drive less overall. Two design characteristics also ease traffic, according to AZ DOT. Read More...

Pedaling to Prosperity: Biking Saves U.S. Riders Billions A Year

2012-05-21 06:54:28

The average annual operating cost of a bicycle is $308, compared to $8,220 for the average car, and if American drivers replaced just one four-mile car trip with a bike each week for the entire year, it would save more than two billion gallons of gas, for a total savings of $7.3 billion a year, based on $4 a gallon for gas. Read More...

Promoting people-oriented development around transit

2012-05-21 07:11:56

The densest residential and commercial buildings should be placed closest to the station. Retail uses should be conveniently accessible. Walking routes should be clear and multi-modal transfers and vehicle drop-offs should be facilitated. Read More...

Modern Streetcars in Seattle

2012-05-21 08:11:13

Cracking the code to smart growth in Mesa, AZ

2012-05-21 11:29:17

“Walkable neighborhoods don’t just happen by chance,” said Mesa Councilmember Dave Richins. “You have to make your design standards a way that will enable people to build using smart growth principles.” Read More...

Portland Back on Top in Bicycling Magazine's City Rankings

2012-05-21 11:46:34

Today, Pacific coast sustainability standard bearer Portland topped Midwestern standout Minneapolis in Bicycling Magazine’s bike-friendly city rankings, bi-annual source of bragging rights or shame, depending on your locale. Read More...

Los Angeles Lives by Car, but Learns to Embrace Bikes

2012-05-21 12:05:11

It was a warm April morning in downtown Los Angeles, and there was not a car on the road. For five hours, the streets were commandeered by nearly 100,000 people on bicycles — old and young, wearing spandex and silly hats, dogs and babies perched on handlebar baskets — in a celebration that produced a sight that once would have seemed inconceivable in this city of cars. Read More...

Miami's Suburbs in the Sky

2012-05-21 13:36:40

In a keynote speech during the 20th Congress for New Urbanism in West Palm Beach, author Richard Florida challenged the idea that the “rush to density” will unlock and release the potential of our cities. Read More...

Song about Transit Light Rail - Oregon

2012-05-22 11:03:43

30 Minutes on Mass Transit in 20 World Cities

2012-05-23 08:24:00

As these maps reveal, 30 minutes on public transit can take you a surprisingly long way in some cities, and keep you severely contained in others. Miami, for example, offers a pretty tight window on the world, compared with transit-rich cities like London and New York. Read More...

Midtown Under Development

2012-05-23 09:47:52

Lake Flato’s Brantley Hightower tells us the team wants to create an all-hours gathering place for the increasingly vibrant Midtown community, even when people don’t want to see a specific show. Read More...

New Bus-Only Line Coming to Connecticut

2012-05-24 07:24:30

Bus rapid transit is coming to central Connecticut.

This week, officials broke ground on a new bus-only route, CTfastrak, that will make use of nine miles of former rail right-of-way to bypass congestion on local roads and Interstate 84. Read More...

How many railcars does it take to run Metro?

2012-05-24 07:29:17

Every day dozens of Metro trains crisscross the region. How many cars does normal weekday service require? And where do those cars run? We asked the agency, and they were happy to provide the numbers. Read More...

As Summer Kicks-off, Look for More Vacationers in your City and on your Bus and Train

2012-05-24 10:15:33

Of those who plan to visit a city, nearly 60 percent (57 percent) or 62 million people nationwide plan to use local public transportation on their vacation this summer. Read More...

Here Are 4.6 Billion Reasons to Support Bike Infrastructure

2012-05-25 07:46:47

Cyclists may only account for 1 percent of all trips taken in the U.S., but that’s still good enough to save the American people a total of $4.6 billion per year, according to research recently released by the League of American Bicyclists, the Sierra Club, and the National Council of La Raza. Read More...

Big Plans for Public Transportation in Virginia. It's called Super NoVa.

2012-05-29 06:25:45

Bus rapid transit, light rail, car and van pooling, and bicycling and pedestrian infrastructure are all in the works for Northern Virginia, under the so-called “Super NoVa” transportation plan for the next three decades, to be released in September. Read More...

Now Coveted: A Walkable, Convenient Place

2012-05-29 06:34:30

WALKING isn’t just good for you. It has become an indicator of your socioeconomic status. Until the 1990s, exclusive suburban homes that were accessible only by car cost more, per square foot, than other kinds of American housing. Now, however, these suburbs have become overbuilt, and housing values have fallen. Today, the most valuable real estate lies in walkable urban locations. Many of these now pricey places were slums just 30 years ago. Read More...

Downtown's rise back to popularity, fun

2012-05-29 07:40:43

Laying Down Rapid Transit in the Maryland Suburbs

2012-05-29 08:02:28

Montgomery County, Md. is one of the core counties of one of the nation’s most appealing metropolitan regions — the nation’s capital. Yet much of the county is relatively built out — mature, one might describe it — making the construction of any significant new transportation capacity, especially in terms of roadways, very difficult if not impossible. Read More...

Public Art in Transit

2012-05-29 12:24:29

Public art in transit-oriented developments presents a valuable marketing opportunity, both for public agencies and private developers. Dollar for dollar, investments in public art may provide the highest financial returns of any funds committed to an aspect of a transit project. Read More...

Parking Strategies to Support Livable Communities

2012-05-29 12:27:33

As one of the largest single land uses in our municipal "footprints," parking deserves more attention than is typically bestowed upon it. Besides encouraging auto use, having such a large supply of parking influences the character, form, function and flow of our communities. Read More...

Los Angeles and the Case for Transit Oriented Development: Building and Funding TOD

2012-05-30 06:24:46

In an ideal world, Metro would go out and buy all the land it needs to build lines along the routes where urban density is the greatest. But L.A. long ago ceased to be a city where there is ample undeveloped land and little opposition from residents, business owners and drivers to needed transit improvements. Read More...

Making Rural Transit Work

2012-05-30 10:13:36

Transit in rural areas is tricky. Folks need to go farther, the passengers are more dispersed, and there’s less money to go around. But that doesn’t make it any less necessary. On the contrary, according to a new report from Reconnecting America [PDF], nearly 40 percent of the United States’ transit-dependent population — including senior citizens, the disabled and low-income individuals — lives in rural areas. Read More...

Urban Rx: Cures for Sick Places

2012-05-31 06:22:04

Often, such places are in strategic urban locations and ripe for revitalization. But, short of calling in the bulldozers, how does a neighborhood go about fomenting its renaissance? It starts with properly diagnosing the reasons for decline (every story is not the same) and working closely with neighborhood residents and businesses to develop the prescription to turn things around. Read More...

KCPT: Imagine KC - Transit Oriented Development

2012-05-31 10:35:03

Economic growth through transit-oriented development in Kansas City

2012-05-31 10:50:25

As Kansas City prepares for a special election on a proposed downtown streetcar line, KCPT and the Mid-America Regional Council‘s Imagine KC series examines the impact of transit-oriented development on Kansas City’s metro. KCPT’s Randy Mason and LOCUS President Chris Leinberger toured some of Kansas City’s streetscape along the proposed line, and discussed the commerce and development streetcar proponents predict will follow: Read More...

Why a Good Bar Is Essential to Sustainable Communities

2012-05-31 11:19:15

What does this have to do with sustainability? Well, quite a bit, in my opinion. The more complete our neighborhoods, the less we have to travel to seek out goods, services and amenities. The less we have to travel, the more we can reduce emissions. People enjoy hanging out in bars and, especially if they are within walking distance of homes. Read More...

Urban Land Conservancy sells TOD site

2012-05-31 11:32:36

The Urban Land Conservancy today announced the sale of property at the Evans Light Rail Station along Denver’s Southwest light rail corridor for the construction of a much-anticipated, mixed-use, transit-oriented development that will include 50 workforce housing apartments. Read More...

Women On A Roll

2012-06-01 07:22:07

Female cyclists are taking the lead in the bicycle movement. Read More...

Mixed-Income TOD

2012-06-01 10:04:04

Philadelphia LISC works with Community Development Organizations

2012-06-01 10:24:21

Philadelphia LISC works with Community Development Organizations (CDCs), to provide the tools and programs needed to initiate positive change and transform neighborhoods into healthy, vibrant communities. Their Sustainable Communities approach emphasizes improving whole communities by making them healthier, more competitive, and better connected with the economic mainstream. Read More...

How to Use the NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide

2012-06-01 11:05:12

The National Association of City Transportation Officials, is focused on transportation issues in the urban environment. As part of their Cities for Cycling initiative, they produced a formal design guide on innovative bikeway treatments to supplement the guidance contained in the federal road design manuals. Read More...

A Boyle Heights punk rocker takes on the freeways of LA

2012-06-04 06:45:07

Here’s a few things you need to know about Eddie Solis: He lives in L.A., loves the band KISS and does not own a car. Just steps from the front door of his home in Boyle Heights, Solis catches a bus that connects him with the Metro Red Line that whisks him to his day job at the avant-garde metal record label Southern Lord in Hollywood. Read More...

The Red Line

2012-06-04 06:48:11

Cleveland: Building Public Support With Pop-up Cycling Infrastructure

2012-06-04 08:31:03

Live, Work, Play: Getting Mixed-Use Development Right

2012-06-04 12:45:13

Now, “mixed-use developments mean we stop thinking so much about buildings as buildings but as communities,” said Vogel. These substantial and often iconic developments are a weighty undertaking, crucial to the regeneration and improvement of cities, particularly in rapidly urbanizing countries such as China and India. Read More...

Major mixed-use development set for former Downey aerospace site

2012-06-05 07:31:56

A historic Downey manufacturing site that was a cradle of the space program and now serves as a movie studio is close to being reborn as a massive mixed-use development intended to economically reinvigorate southeast Los Angeles County. Read More...

The Growing Popularity of Bus Rapid Transit

2012-06-05 12:45:08

The Growing Popularity of Bus Rapid Transit

2012-06-05 12:47:45

The BRT has become the ideal public transit solution for high density cities that don't yet have the wealth to create more expensive transit systems. Twelve Chinese cities have debuted BRT lines since 1999 with more planned to follow. In Indonesia, 11 different cities have an operating BRT system. Jakarta's will eventually include 15 different lines. Read More

How Dogs Saved a Los Angeles Neighborhood

2012-06-06 06:23:49

We know Lassie can save Timmy from the well, but can she also save a neighborhood? In downtown Los Angeles, the answer seems to be yes.

In 1999, Los Angeles passed its Adaptive Reuse Ordinance, making it easier and cheaper for real estate developers to convert old offices to new housing. While the ordinance arguably jump-started the revitalization of downtown L.A., a key (though overlooked) element was pet-friendly policies in these newly converted lofts. Read More...

DOT official: Obama support of high-speed rail 'remains as strong as ever'

2012-06-08 08:58:33

Federal Railroad Administration chief Joseph Szabo said Monday that President Obama is unwavering in his support for high-speed rail projects. Speaking a conference held by the American Public Transportation Conference in Dallas, Szabo said Obama's support for rail "remains as strong as ever. More...

What Really Matters for Increasing Transit Ridership: Rail Edition

2012-06-11 07:50:15

If you're a mid-sized metro area whose only form of public transportation is the bus, you might increase transit ridership just by tweaking the system. Lose a stop here, add one there, draw a few new maps. Read More...

The World's 18 Strangest Parking Garages

2012-06-11 13:09:01

Parking garages are often architectural afterthoughts. Monolithic and utilitarian, they rarely offer more than the necessary housing of cars for other more aesthetic structures. "It's an expense a developer generally doesn't like, but it is a necessary evil to make his development successful," says Len Tsupros, president of Carl Walker Construction, a design firm that specializes in parking garages. However, as cities become larger and as transportation technology changes, the role and function of the parking garage has to be redefined. Here are some of the world's most interesting, innovative and just plain bizarre parking garages. Read More...

Baking Innovation Into New Smart Cities

2012-06-12 07:35:41

Projections suggest there will be more than 136 new cities containing over 1 million people by 2025. While most of the cities will be in China, they will spring up all over the world. It is one thing to explore how existing cities can gradually (or relatively rapidly in the case in Singapore) get smarter. But what about when you have a blank canvas? Read more...

Rust Belt Reboot Has Downtown Cleveland Rocking

2012-06-12 10:30:05

East 4th Street in Downtown Clevelend was a haven for drug dealers and prostitutes 20 years ago. Now there is a waiting list for the apartments on the same street. The demographic has shifted noticeably, as younger, college educated residents are flocking to the heart of cities, and rust belt cities are particularly attractive to them because they tend to offer the same entertainment and walkability without the high cost of living faced in many more well established metros. Read More...

Hubway bike-sharing program is on a roll

2012-06-12 10:37:59

If you’ve been seeing a lot of sturdy silver bikes rolling past lately, you’re not imagining it. The Hubway bicycle-sharing system in Boston had its busiest day yet last Sunday, recording 2,531 station-to-station trips. On Tuesday, it eclipsed the 250,000 mark for total rides. Read more...

Sustainable Redevelopment in Downtown Davenport

2012-06-12 10:50:53

Sustainability isn’t a program in Davenport, Iowa. Sustainability is an ethos, passing from one generation to the next. Sustainability is also the foundation of our redevelopment strategy downtown, for there is no more efficient nor effective approach to sustainability than using what you already have and what makes your community unique among others. Read more...

As in the 1800s, Bikes and Trains Could Boom Together in Florida

2012-06-12 12:02:42

In Winter Park — built in the late 1800s — the city’s sustainability coordinator Tim Maslow is thinking about how to incorporate cycling into the transportation mix. Maslow says the new SunRail and Amtrak train station could be a starting point for bike sharing. Read More...

National arts partnership steps up big for community revitalization

2012-06-12 12:25:26

An innovative and impressive partnership of philanthropic, financial, and government institutions announced today the awarding of $15.4 million in grants to support cultural initiatives to revitalize and strengthen neighborhoods, towns and cities across the country. Based in Chicago and called ArtPlace, the organization is awarding financial assistance to 47 projects in 33 communities. Read More...

Arlington, Alexandria set to merge streetcar plans

2012-06-13 11:24:46

Two Washington, D.C. Virginia suburbs, each originally with its own plan for reinstating streetcars, are ready to merge their projects into one larger plan.

Under the proposal, Arlington County and the City of Alexandria, Va., would jointly build the Route 1 Corridor Streetcar Project. The five-mile line would roughly north/south from the Metrorail's Pentagon City station across 12th Street to Crystal Drive, down Crystal Drive to Potomac Yard, and then along U.S. Route 1 to Metrorail's Braddock Road Station. Read More...

Apple Drops Transit Directions From Mobile Devices

2012-06-13 12:44:03

One thing that won’t come standard with the new iPhone: transit directions.

Yesterday Apple announced details for iOS 6, the new operating system for iPad and iPhone, and it looks like transit directions will be casualties of the company’s decision to drop Google Maps as its default map application. The new, Apple-developed map application will include driving directions and walking directions, but no transit information, at least not standard. Read More...

Bloomberg Offers A Cash-Fueled Challenge For Cities To Solve Major Problems

2012-06-14 06:21:42

Cities might be best positioned to lead the way to solutions to global problems: Big enough to foster innovation, but nimble enough to implement it. New York’s Mayor Bloomberg thinks so: He’s devoting more than $9 million in prizes to the cities that can come up with the best ideas to improve the lives of their citizens. Read More...

Planning in America: Perceptions and Priorities

2012-06-15 07:13:24

With the U.S. economy struggling, Americans believe community planners should play a major role in helping the nation get back on its feet, according to a national poll released by APA on June 14, 2012.

Two-thirds of Americans believe their community needs more planning to promote economic recovery. Read More...

DART Marks 250,000,000 Light Rail Passenger Trips

2012-06-15 11:33:33

Light Rail vs. Reality in LA

2012-06-15 11:59:29

BRT vs. Traditional Bus System

2012-06-15 12:01:55

Driving in Circles

2012-06-18 08:31:00

Across the U.S., local governments are taking steps to tear down downtown highways and rebuild the traditional urban girds that characterized cities before the 20th century’s love affair with the automobile. In Providence, R.I., this process began more than 20 years ago, when officials began to rethink the location of Interstate 195. Read More...

Architects and Engineers Say These are the Most Amazing Buildings of the Year

2012-06-18 08:35:00

In 2011, 88 new towers over 200 meters (656 ft.) high were built in the world--a record number, compared to the 32 new towers built in 2005. There are another 96 new towers slated for completion this year, with China being the biggest builder.

But with so many new additions to skylines around the world, which buildings are the best?

The Upside of iPhones Without Google Transit Directions

2012-06-18 11:13:03

As we reported last week, the new Apple mobile operating system, iOS 6, will come with a new, Apple-designed Maps application that eschews Google’s mapping tools and comes without standard transit directions. The Apple Maps app will provide driving and walking directions, but transit riders will have to access third-party plug-ins to figure out the best way from point A to point B.

The lack of Google Maps on Apple's next mobile OS could clear the way for a wave of transit app innovation, says developer Kevin Webb. Photo: University of Washington via Science Daily

While that could pose a hurdle for millions of iPhone and iPad users, the new system could also encourage the creation of a much richer assortment of transit apps for mobile devices. Read More...

Capital Bike Share Saved 5 Million Driving Miles

2012-06-18 11:18:28

A new survey of Washington’s Capital Bikeshare, done for Capital Bikeshare, says four in ten users report using cars less — for an average savings of 523 miles for those users.

The survey’s authors say that translates to a total of 5 million miles not driven. Read More...

Battle Creek Intermodal Transportation Center reopens

2012-06-18 11:33:32

Smart growth awards honor projects helping strengthen Long Island's downtowns

2012-06-19 08:17:28

The smart growth projects honored Friday are bringing those downtowns back. GRB Development was honored for The Riverwalk project, a townhome project on the site of a former beer distributor which is adjacent to downtown Patchogue, NY, and just a stone’s throw from a Long Island Rail Road station. Read More....

Revenge of the (Urban) Nerds

2012-06-19 10:56:46

When we think of people who shape cities, we often talk of politicians and financiers. But thinking—the work of scholars—can have an outsized impact on the places in which we live. In advance of “James Q. Wilson, Broken Windows and Los Angeles”, a Zócalo event that considers the legacy of the late James Q. Wilson in his native Southern California, we asked four people who think about urban life this question: What scholar or intellectual of the last 50 years has had the greatest impact on the cities we live in today? Read More...

Steal This Idea: Desire Lines

2012-06-20 11:55:16

Without explicit markings, road users pay more attention to sharing the space. It’s “psychological traffic calming,” says British transport consultant Adam Davies.

The idea has academic cred: Experiments at German and English universities show that people prefer to walk in their own “desire lines”—paths that offer the most visibility, preferably in the middle of the road, if possible. Read more...

Can a Parking Lot be 'Excellent'? You Betcha

2012-06-21 07:23:49

How does a parking lot qualify as "excellent"? By the IPI's standard, it must knock the judges' socks off in one of the following categories: innovation, efficiency, sustainability and user-friendliness. This year, there were seven beauts that fit the bill. Read More...

Mat's Commute

2012-06-21 11:37:54

Transitways

2012-06-22 07:04:16

Infographic showing the different types of mass transit available to cities and the areas they best serve. Read More...

Stuffy dress codes hamper healthy urban choices

2012-06-25 07:59:06

The dress code at many federal workplaces simply doesn't make sense anymore as the standard in professional attire. How is anyone supposed to ride a bike to work in a tailored skirt or a starched dress shirt? Read More...

Tactical Urbanism

2012-06-25 13:20:59

Everyone can be an urban planner, and that’s a good thing, according to Mike Lydon, principal at Brooklyn’s Street Plans Collaborative and author of Tactical Urbanism, Volume 2. With a surge of interest in urbanism across the country and at every level, communities are rethinking public space, or the lack therein. Into the breach, so-called tactical urbanism has surged, offering quick, affordable tools for making a big impact. Lydon and other tactical urbanists will be contributing to the U.S. Pavilion’s Spontaneous Interventions: Design Actions for the Common Good at the 13th Venice Biennale in August. AN gets a jump on the conversation. Read More...

A New Face

2012-06-25 13:24:01

A New Face for an Old Broad from American Grapefruit Media on Vimeo.

Undersea-Oriented Development

2012-06-26 12:21:57

"[T]he entire site is designed to form a model city that displays the low-carbon lifestyle we can expect in the future. Each of the theme pavilions demonstrates ways to achieve sustainable development by promoting an environmentally responsible use of the sea." Read More...

Greetings From Walkable, Bikeable, Transit-Oriented Asbury Park, N.J.

2012-06-26 12:25:42

Think of a place that you can reach by train, that is densely developed and easy to get around by walking or biking. You’re probably thinking of a center city, or perhaps an inner-ring suburb. But in older regions of the country, there’s another place that has the fundamentals for living car-free: the beach. Built over a century ago, many oceanside towns were designed to attract summertime urban visitors at a time when driving simply wasn’t an option. And with beachfront property going for a premium, it’s normal to see compact, even high-rise, urban-scale development lining the waterfront. Read more...

Families and Transit-Oriented Development

2012-06-26 12:36:14

One in a series of best practices guidebooks from The Center for Transit-Oriented Development In partnership with the Center for Cities & Schools Read More...

Zone, Zone On The Range

2012-07-02 06:53:45

With its boomtown spurts of unplanned growth, roughneck culture and cowboy-esque commitment to individual property rights, the city of Rock Springs, Wyo., population 23,036, doesn’t seem like the most ideal venue for implementing a smart-growth vision of density and sustainability. Read More...

Cities Outpace Suburbs in Growth

2012-07-02 06:57:18

Many U.S. cities are growing faster than their suburbs for the first time in decades, reflecting shifting attitudes about urban living as well as the effect of a housing bust that has put a damper on moving.

According to Census data released Thursday, in 27 of the nation's 51 largest metropolitan areas, city centers grew faster than suburbs between July 2010 and July 2011. By contrast, from 2000 to 2010 only five metro areas saw their cores grow faster than the surrounding suburbs. Read more...

Building Smarter Cities... In the Year 2060

2012-07-02 11:37:47

When my colleague put an article on my desk today with the subtitle, “Climate change will drive people to urban areas. How will urban planners accommodate them all?” it caught my attention, not because of the topic, but because of the double spread striking image of the “flat tower” proposed by architect Schirr-Bonnan. With an opening line of “The world’s population will top nine billion by 2060,” I read on. Read More...

Every city needs a brand

2012-07-03 07:00:46

A catchy nickname isn't enough: A city needs a persona. But how do you brand a place that's simply nice to live in?

When you think of Indianapolis, what springs to mind? Besides the annual Indianapolis 500 race. Take a minute to sum up the essence, the unique identity, of the Midwest’s second-largest city.

It’s hard to do — not because Indianapolis doesn’t have a unique identity, but because if you don’t live in or around it, you probably have no idea what it is. There are lots of cities like this. For every clearly defined Detroit, New Orleans or Las Vegas, there’s a more amorphous Columbus, Ohio; Louisville, Ky.; or Providence, R.I. Read More...

Do You Live In A City? Hmm. Let's Find Out

2012-07-03 10:24:28

Urban life is multifaceted and complex. But, sometimes you need to just go with the flow and this chart may (or may not) show you if you're really an urbanite: Read More...

Transit-oriented buildings fetch higher rents

2012-07-05 06:52:11

When Al Batchelar and his team at Commissionaires BC decided they needed new space for their business, they looked at several suburbs and types of office developments.

In the end, they chose a spot in Surrey’s Station Tower, which is steps from the Gateway SkyTrain station, picking it over cheaper space in a Surrey or Richmond business park. Read More...

Rural communities get livable

2012-07-06 06:25:49

Rural communities get livable: Spotlight on Warsaw, Mo from MoLivable Streets on Vimeo.

Don't get mixed-up on mixed-use

2012-07-06 11:24:43

Mixed-use zones usually had to declare a primary and secondary use with both use’s development standards redundantly stacked together and the primary use, such as residential, controlling the building’s configuration, orientation and disposition — thereby marginalizing the building’s ability to effectively host other commercial or office uses. Read More...

An operating system for cities: How IBM plans to make your city smarter

2012-07-09 07:11:44

IBM will be working to add sensors to everyday infrastructure,install software to integrate and manage the massive inflow of data, and provide city officials with the information and intelligence they need to run their cities better. Hopefully, the result will be better, more livable, and more sustainable urban environments. Read More...

Cycling in Three World Cities: How Do They Compare?

2012-07-11 07:57:54

Three world cities were examined: a European city (Berlin, Germany), a “developing world” city (Bogota, Colombia) and a U.S. city (Houston, Tex.) to discover why some cities have higher rates of cycling and what they can teach other cities about appropriate bicycling policy, incentives and infrastructure. Read More...

Which States Do the Most (and the Least) to Support Biking and Walking?

2012-07-13 10:17:24

The transportation bill is upon us — and with it came some bad news for people who want to make streets safer for biking and walking. Not only does the bill reduce the overall amount of dedicated funding for programs like Safe Routes to School, it allows states to transfer some of these funds to other uses. More...

Why most cities build light rail instead of metro

2012-07-16 10:05:16

Heavy metrorail is built to be 100% grade separated all the time. That means nothing ever crosses the tracks. If you want to cross the tracks (as a pedestrian or in a car), you need a bridge or tunnel on a different level so that you can do it while trains are using the tracks simultaneously. Read More...

D.C. unveils plans for awesome new green neighborhood

2012-07-16 12:50:12

The 110-acre, 15 square-block project is meant to showcase “high performance buildings and landscapes,” while creating space for 19,000 new federal workers, says Elizabeth Miller, the landscape architect who is guiding the project. At the same time, the plan will take aim at the incredible lack of public access — the barriers, the highways, and grade changes — that keep people away. Read More...

Imagining a Less Disruptive Alternative to a Highway

2012-07-17 06:28:32

Skinny Storefronts, a Must for Walkability

2012-07-17 06:55:23

Wide sidewalks, accessible transit, even beautiful landscaping, benches, and public art — all help make cities walkable. Another major factor: pedestrian-scaled destinations. Seattle Transit Blog‘s Matt Gangemi wonders how to achieve the kind of retail development that promotes walkability. Read more...

Why We Should Stop Talking About 'Bus Stigma'

2012-07-18 11:05:04

Mass transit, even the indispensable bus, will continue on that path to greater relevance to the degree that citizens care about it and demand that it be funded. Right now, many people who don’t use transit are making a rational choice, based on its current usefulness and their alternatives; no stigma is needed to explain that behavior. Read More...

New Tools for Public Transit

2012-07-19 06:10:13

Micro-apartments next for S.F.?

2012-07-19 06:41:54

"I believe there is a large and unmet need for entry-level, car-free housing in a transit rich and culturally rich city like San Francisco," Kennedy said. "A smaller unit size makes meeting this need more feasible and gives people a choice not available now." Read More...

How city-level innovation is creating business opportunities

2012-07-20 13:12:55

As urbanization accelerates, cities are poised to play a crucial role in fostering innovation, even as their swelling populations and sometimes-creaky infrastructure create a massive business opportunity for the corporate sector, webcast speakers said. Read More...

Bikes Are Not Cars

2012-07-20 13:18:24

Outdoor Space and Public Housing: How Do We Design it?

2012-07-23 06:15:30

What has the greatest influence on the design of public spaces are the buildings that form them. Therefore, if we get the building form, scale, and interior spaces wrong, their isn’t much hope for what surrounds it. Consequently, while Sigrist says these principles are about the design of public space, he is actually listing architectural principles of building form. Read More...

Time to Put the Walk into ArtWalk

2012-07-23 10:40:56

Imagine the possibilities if NW 2nd Avenue was closed to motor vehicles and opened for people during this once-a-month event? Vendors can fill the streets. Parents and children can walk and cross safely. The neighborhood sounds will be of music and energy, rather than exhaust-spewing engines. Read More...

Better Blocks

2012-07-23 11:41:06

"On the Go"

2012-07-23 13:13:02

The Secret Lives of Zipcar Drivers

2012-07-24 07:21:56

Fleura Bardhi believed what many of us do about members of car-sharing services like Zipcar. They care about the environment. They want to take cars off the road. They’ve created a trusting community to share assets that previous generations insisted on owning. Read More...

Bus doing Push Ups

2012-07-24 11:42:17

Making Walkability Fun

2012-07-25 07:36:20

8 Overarching Urban Systems That Make a City Sustainable

2012-07-25 10:10:57

Because cities are so complex - as complex, you might say, as a living organism - sustainable cities are much more difficult to achieve than green buildings or environmentally friendly cars. For example, it’s not enough to have sustainable buildings in your city if they are all really far apart and everyone has to drive long distances to get around -- that would be like eating a salad followed by fried chicken. Simply stated, one strategy on it’s own is simply not enough to make an entire city sustainable. Read More...

Coming to a Walkable Place Near You: More Efficient Housing

2012-07-26 11:08:57

Meeting the demand for housing is one of the biggest challenges facing America’s most walkable, transit-oriented cities.

In-demand metros like New York and San Francisco are starting to put forward some innovative solutions to their housing challenges. New York is considering amending its building codes to allow “micro-apartments” of around 275 to 300 square feet. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Bay Area might lower the legal limit to just 150 square feet. Read More...

How Smarter Cities Get Started

2012-07-27 07:49:33

What is really required in a Smarter City context, though, is a single plan that captures the vision and means for transformation; and that is collectively defined and owned by stakeholders across the city; not by any single organisation acting alone. It needs to be consistent with existing plans within individual domains of the city; and in time needs to influence those plans to develop and change. Read More...

A Satellite View of City Growth, in GIFs

2012-07-30 10:34:28

NASA's Landsat satellite system has been orbiting and taking pictures of the earth since 1972. In honor of its 40th birthday, NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey have released a cool set of images showing how 11 world cities have changed over that time. This site features two overlaid images of each city from different years dating back to the 1970s, with a cool slider bar to let you see how each city has changed. To make the drastic changes of time even more apparent, we've made some animated GIFs of those images. Read More...

Subway Disruptions Now Part of Google Map

2012-07-31 06:31:20

New York subway riders know the sharp and familiar pain of walking to your station, five minutes late, rushing down the steps, Metrocard unsheathed — only to find construction has closed the station for the weekend, or rerouted the train express to skip past that exact stop. Even though you could have walked to another. Read more...

The Edible Bus Stop

2012-07-31 06:39:59

Can Light Rail Carry a City's Transit System?

2012-08-01 08:06:20

We often think of light rail as a single component of a larger transit system, but if it's done right it can just as soon serve as the foundation. Since 1981 a dozen American cities have built light rail lines atop bus-only systems. In five of them — Dallas, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, and San Diego — light rail now accounts for at least 30 percent of all transit ridership in the metropolitan area. Read More...

Child Care At Transit-Oriented Developments

2012-08-02 06:23:18

Whether your TOD is creating a new urban destination, rejuvenating a dormant downtown, or crafting a lively new suburban village, including a child care facility can help you win projects, obtain incentives and bonuses, garner community support and attract financial partners. Read More...

8 Overarching Urban Systems That Make a City Sustainable

2012-08-03 13:01:19

Whats the Best Way to Build New Highways: Private? Public? Tolls? Magic?

2012-08-06 12:12:36

(Washington, D.C. — WAMU) As the opening of the Interstate 495 Express Lanes on northern Virginia’s Capital Beltway draws closer, backers of the $2 billion project say they cannot guarantee the four new HOT lanes will achieve the goal of reducing traffic congestion while simultaneously returning a profit for their private sector operator. Read More...

One-day Facelift Enlivens Neglected Community

2012-08-06 12:39:46

Somerville agreement with MBTA and MassDOT keeps Union Square station on track

2012-08-07 11:39:52

"This is another major step forward both in making the Green Line Extension a reality, and in planning for the future of one of the most dynamic development areas in our city," Mayor Joe Curtatone said. "It's also a strong reaffirmation of our close working relationship with the Patrick Administration, and especially the state's transportation leadership." Read More...

Smart Cities Should Be More Like Lean Startups

2012-08-08 07:13:19

The idea of a Lean City is completely complementary to the idea of smart cities. Lean startup principles suggest that innovators should develop a hypothesis about likely reactions to a minimum viable product and be prepared to rigorously measure the results. Smart city solutions frequently involve the use of sensors and real-time data to enable city staff to monitor key metrics and modify systems to improve performance. Read More...

Five roads to a Smarter City

2012-08-09 06:25:22

Whilst some cities have undergone dramatic changes – or have been built as “Smarter” cities in the first place as in the case of the famous Masdar project in Abu Dhabi – most cities are making progress one step at a time.

Four patterns have emerged in how they are doing so. Each pattern is potentially replicable by other cities; and each represents a proven approach that can be used as part of a wider cross-city plan. Read More...

The Top 10 Smart Cities On The Planet

2012-08-13 07:35:04

The term "smart cities" is a bit ambiguous. Some people choose a narrow definition--i.e. cities that use information and communication technologies to deliver services to their citizens. I prefer a broader definition: Smart cities use information and communication technologies (ICT) to be more intelligent and efficient in the use of resources, resulting in cost and energy savings, improved service delivery and quality of life, and reduced environmental footprint--all supporting innovation and the low-carbon economy. Read More...

Car use declining in North America

2012-08-14 12:28:24

There are changing demands evident in real estate development. Amid slowing sales and softening prices overall, condos in Toronto and Vancouver continue to sell briskly in locations with good transit access. Whereas real estate was all about “location, location, location” in the 1970s and ’80s, and “timing, timing, timing” in the 1990s and early 2000s, “it is now transportation, transportation, transportation,” Read More...

Streetcar Plans Plow Ahead

2012-08-16 08:27:46

Late last month, about 500 residents in one part of Kansas City, Mo., voted to create a special taxing district to raise $75 million over about two decades for a streetcar. In the same week, Cincinnati officials passed a measure to allow about $15 million to be spent on a 3.6-mile loop. And in Los Angeles, the city council approved a plan to ask voters if they are willing to pay additional taxes for a four-mile downtown streetcar loop.

Proponents say the streetcars would boost economic growth and catch the fancy of younger generations. Read More...

New Board Game Gives You The Thrills And Chills Of Urban Renewal

2012-08-17 07:12:47

In the game, players can assume one of the following roles: City Councilor, Developer, Community Activist, City Planning Employee, Man-On-The-Street, Academic Urban Theorist, Resident of Existing Development to be Demolished, Mayor, Random Federal Politician, Skyscraper Enthusiast, or Garbage Man. They take turns spinning the ‘Decision Engine Wheel’ which gives them license to place various types of development (condominium, office, commercial, park, etc.) on the board. Sometimes, players are given the option to bulldoze development, in which case they can use the ‘Tabula Rasa Rake’ to sweep any amount of placed development from the board. As all of this happens, the city evolves. Read More...

How Transit-Oriented Development Can Help Get America To Work

2012-08-21 06:44:07

Vibrant communities where residents can walk to shops, restaurants, grocery stores and community services; and where public transportation provides convenient connections between home and work can be built. Planning community development with public transportation as a central consideration -- transit-oriented development or TOD -- can spur economic growth, sometimes dramatically. But that approach has not been systematically applied to communities of all income levels. Read More...

Arlington's Streetcar System

2012-08-22 06:54:20

Do-It-Yourself Urban Design in the Help-Yourself City

2012-08-22 07:32:29

People are installing fanciful and functional infrastructure which is intended to improve everyday life, firms are developing projects in underutilized spaces to make contributions even when there is no client, and community groups are taking neighborhood planning into their own hands. Read More...

Private-private partnerships may hold key to revitalization

2012-08-23 13:19:14

The most prevalent form of public-private partnerships for urban redevelopment has long been tax increment financing (TIF). A TIF agreement sets aside a portion of the future property tax stream from new development activity to fund the public improvements needed to support the development. Read More...

How Grid Systems Promote Urbanism and Winding Streets Undermine It

2012-08-24 07:16:44

What’s the difference between a sleepy, sprawling place and a vibrant, compact one? According to a fascinating theory from Patrick Kennedy at Network blog Walkable Dallas Fort Worth, the primary factor is the street pattern.

Street grids, he asserts, exert a centripetal force on the market, drawing investment toward the core. Meanwhile, suburban-style streets — a “dendritic,” or branch-like, pattern — spread land value evenly, and impart an outward tug. Read More...

Floating Bicycle Roundabout

2012-08-24 11:02:44

Kingston Trio - M.T.A.

2012-08-24 12:50:07

Silver Line: 10 years of history, changes

2012-08-28 13:04:55

The Silver Line recently turned 10 years old. Its fleet isn’t made up of trains like the three other MBTA lines. It consists of tunnel seeking, satellite communicating, traffic light changing, kiosk talking, two-section 60-foot-long vehicles powered by natural gas, electricity, and a diesel generator.

It's not the line that planners envisioned decades ago due to unforseen budgetary constraints. But it can only grow since it connects some of the oldest neighborhoods in Boston, like Roxbury, to some of its most burgeoning areas, like the Waterfront. Read More...

Making the case for Accessible Cities

2012-08-29 08:34:04

Most cities have long histories, with many buildings leftover from a time where lifts, ramps, and other accessibility features either hadn’t been invented or weren’t considered. Many buildings have been retrofitted in recent years, either as a result of legislation or choice, and some cities have taken a major leap forward in improving building accessibility. But is this progress enough? Which cities are doing it well, and which could be doing a better job? Read More...

The Boston T turns 115 years old this weekend

2012-08-30 06:41:23

The Hub's rapid transit system is the oldest and fourth largest in the United States, so in light of it's 115th birthday Saturday, Metro thought it only appropriate to mark the occasion with a cake.

The T, and its riders, to get a birthday gift: MBTA Acting General Manager Jonathon Davis said that MBTA officials on Saturday plan to unveil new countdown signs on the Red Line at Park Street Station in celebration of the 115th birthday. Read More...

Transit and Trails App: Get to Trails and Hikes via Public Transportation

2012-08-31 07:05:08

Are you a true treehugger looking to get to your favorite hiking trail without having to get into your car? Do you live in or around San Francisco? Do you have an iPhone? Then this is the app for you.

The Transit and Trails App from the Bay Area Open Space Council can help you find parks and trails near you that are accessible by public transportation. If you are a biker, it gives directions you can use to bike to your favorite spot. Read More...

Responsive urban design

2012-09-04 06:46:12

We’ve been planning cities for almost as long as they have existed. Archaeological evidence suggests the ancient Egyptians did so 5,000 years ago. Hippodamos, considered by many to be the father of urban planning, imposed street grids on every ancient Greek city that would let him. Since then, we’ve been busily drawing, revising, and otherwise fussing about how best to design our cities.

It turns out we may have it all wrong. Or at least wrong for today’s cities. Read More...

Value capture case studies: What is value capture?

2012-09-05 07:05:05

Because well-planned transportation investments increase people’s access to desirable destinations, locations near these investments command higher land prices, benefiting land owners and developers; studies of the Chicago region show a 10 percent to 20 percent increase in land values near transit stations. Value capture mechanisms are a type of public financing where increases in the private land values generated by public transportation investments are “captured” to repay the cost of the public investment. Read More...

Changing markets and TOD's

2012-09-05 09:16:16

Fun at the Crosswalk

2012-09-06 12:12:28

Waiting at a crosswalk can seem like forever. Endless streams of cars pass by while you stand there, looking out anxiously at the red "stop" hand and pushing that little button on the streetpole that you're sure isn't even hooked up to anything. Minutes can pass by, and there you are, just standing there, staring out into the crossfire of car traffic. Read More...

Google Maps uses Ground Truth project to battle Apple

2012-09-10 06:27:15

A new front opens up in the smartphone battle between Google and Apple this week when the search giant's mapping technology is dropped from iPhones and iPads' Maps app when they are upgraded to the latest version of the iOS operating system. Read More...

Study: Shift to walkable urban places is good news for economy

2012-09-11 13:23:25

"This shift is extremely good news for the beleaguered real estate industry and the economy as a whole," he says. "It will put a foundation under the economy as well as government tax revenues, much like drivable sub-urban development benefited the economy and selected jurisdictions in the second half of the 20th century." Better! Cities & Towns will feature a more extensive report on The WalkUP Wake-Up Call in the coming October-November issue. Here are some highlights from the report...

A New Site Calculates Your Neighborhood's Walkability

2012-09-13 11:00:02

Walkonomics is a new site that aims to build up as comprehensive a picture as possible. Services such as Walk Score already score proximity to restaurants and shops (and more); how long your commute is; and allow you to compare areas. But, according to Adam Davies, that’s only part of the story of walkability. Ideally, you also want to know things like how safe the streets are, whether the sidewalks are wide enough, how clear the signage is, and also--less tangibly--how clean the street is, and whether it’s relaxing and fun. Distance, in other words, is not the only factor--perhaps not even the most important factor. Read More...

Dedham property to be site of large MBTA solar array

2012-09-14 06:55:42

The board voted Wednesday, Sept. 12, to approve Gehrlicher Solar America Corporation to design, install and maintain a solar photovoltaic system at Readville Yard 5 in Dedham as well as a smaller system at Wonderland Garage in Revere.

In the spring, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority opened up Readville Yard 5, which it owns, for the construction of the facility.

The contract requires that the facility be operational by October 2013.

When We're All Urban Planners

2012-09-17 06:38:09

Everyone from the co-founder of Twitter, to the guy who sells haute donuts near your office, to your local councilman and even President Obama is betting on a future in which you’ll open your city app to get news as you geo-map that monster pothole on the corner, find your favorite food trucks for lunchtime and donate to a local park plan proposed by your activist neighbor. Journalist David Lepeska explores the players and tools vying for a place in this emerging, highly networked world. Read More...

LA's Transit Revolution

2012-09-20 06:42:40

In 1940, there were 1.5 million people in the city. Twenty years later, it was almost 2.5 million. By 1990 it was close to 3.5 million. Today it’s 3.8 million and still climbing. The larger metropolitan area has ballooned to 13 million residents, leaving Chicago in the dust as America’s second city. And even though the area is built in a sprawling sunbelt format, the geography of surrounding mountains, ocean, and national forests physically constrains L.A.’s growth. Because of that, the average population density throughout the urban area is actually the highest in America even though the core is much less dense than an Eastern city like New York or Boston. The result was legendary traffic jams, combined with a practical inability to widen the arterial freeways that form the backbone of the city’s transportation infrastructure.

The usual response to too much traffic in the United States is to strangle growth. New development would mean more cars would mean more traffic, so cities adopt rules to block new development. Read More...

Mapmaker, Artist, or Programmer?

2012-09-21 06:37:13

Some people look at the abundance of urban data out there and see an academic research paper. Others maybe see a table or a graph or a chart. Self-proclaimed "map geek" Eric Fischer sees some of the most intriguing maps and spatial images found on the Internet, just waiting to be created.

"Ultimately, almost everything I have been making tries to take the dim, distant glimpse of the real world that we can see through data and magnify some aspect of it in an attempt to understand something about the structure of cities," he says. "I don't know if that comes through at all in the actual products, but it is what they are all building toward." Read More...

Using BRT as a Transit Band-Aid

2012-09-27 08:01:03

When a new metro line opened up in Istanbul a couple weeks ago, it mostly served as a reminder of something the city has been awaiting for the better part of a decade. That would be the massive Marmaray project, a rail tunnel beneath the Bosphorous strait that will link the European and Asian sides of the intercontinental city. The delays have been reasonable — crews have had to deal with tricky geography, safety precautions required by a nearby fault line, and archeological discoveries made during the digging — but the initial phase is still a year from opening, and the full deal several more.

The city wisely recognized that the immediacy of its traffic problem demanded some sort of short-term solution. Its response was to lay down, within a couple of years, a bus-rapid transit system known as the Metrobus. The 26-mile line operates in dedicated lanes along the D-100 expressway and connects both sides of the city across the Bosphorous Bridge. By most measures it's been a great success, according to a recent profile of the system in the Journal of Transport Geography. Read More...

What makes a great city street? Consider these examples

2012-09-28 07:19:18

My friend Victor Dover has taught me more about the importance of streets to community, and the characteristics that can make them great, than I ever might have imagined. I’m still learning, and it’s a fascinating journey. He’s about to share his knowledge with all of us, as he reports that he and his urban compadre John Massengale are writing a book on the subject to be published next year. I don’t know John as well as I know Victor, but he seems to know his stuff, too; this one promises to be a must-have when it comes out.

For the past couple of months, Victor has been hinting at some of what may be in the book through posting a series of “street of the day” photos on his Facebook wall. With his kind permission, I am now able to show some of the images to you. As you view them, consider what’s appealing about each street in the photo, what might be transferable to other communities. Read More...

Waiting for the Robo-Garage

2012-10-01 06:47:37

Add another item to the list of infrastructure in which the United States lags: robotic parking. As common in Asia and Europe as streetlights, parking that automatically stores and retrieves cars is only now catching on in American cities.

More primitive elevator-style parking has been around since the mid–20th century, but advanced automatic garages are more like three-dimensional chessboards: hydraulic pallets and computerized shelving park up to 250 cars per hour, with 32 cars in motion at any time. As cities become denser, the cost of high-density parking begins to pencil out for developers because it reduces parking square footage requirements by 50 to 75 percent, say experts, some of whom participated in a seminar held earlier this year in Los Angeles, presented by the University of California at Los Angeles Ziman Center for Real Estate.

"If you have high-density development, it makes sense to have high-density parking," says Donald C. Shoup, professor of urban planning at UCLA. "Talk to any developer: they say for small or irregular sites, robotic parking is the answer to space constraints. It will unlock the real estate potential of many urban infill sites."

How Google Builds Its Maps--and What It Means for the Future of Everything

2012-10-01 06:54:21

Behind every Google Map, there is a much more complex map that's the key to your queries but hidden from your view. The deep map contains the logic of places: their no-left-turns and freeway on-ramps, speed limits and traffic conditions. This is the data that you're drawing from when you ask Google to navigate you from point A to point B -- and last week, Google showed me the internal map and demonstrated how it was built. It's the first time the company has let anyone watch how the project it calls GT, or "Ground Truth," actually works.

Google opened up at a key moment in its evolution. The company began as an online search company that made money almost exclusively from selling ads based on what you were querying for. But then the mobile world exploded. Where you're searching from has become almost as important as what you're searching for. Google responded by creating an operating system, brand, and ecosystem in Android that has become the only significant rival to Apple's iOS.

And for good reason. If Google's mission is to organize all the world's information, the most important challenge -- far larger than indexing the web -- is to take the world's physical information and make it accessible and useful. Read More...

Fusing Bikes Into Copenhagen's Landscape

2012-10-02 06:12:08

Copenhagen has often been featured here for bike-related fun. From a suburban cycle super highway to an urban bicycle library, Denmark’s capital has truly established itself as a biker’s paradise for its good deeds done for pedals. A Swiss firm wants to solidify that top spot with some gorgeous new concepts for bikesharing stations, removing the intermediaries between wheel, dock and road.

This system design is just plain cool: each bike will be equipped with Wi-Fi and GPS, made interactive with a monitor betwixt the handlebars, providing seamless navigation.

Rafael Schmidt of RAFAA crafted this bike sharing system that sports futuristic looking bikes, whose stations will avoid cumbersome docks and either meld into the ground, scale up walls, or sink beneath the street surface. The elegantly designed bikes feature chainless pedals and a pay system built into the bike itself, rather than at a station hub. As it stands now, the ByCyklen bikeshare system is widely spread and technically free, with a deposit of 20 Danish kroner (about US$3.50). Read More...

Emerging Trend: Bicycle-Friendly Business Districts

2012-10-03 06:14:25

Americans are starting to realize the strong connection between bicycling and shopping local. When we hop on a bike instead of in a car, we tend to stay closer to home and support small businesses. We also notice more businesses since we’re traveling at human-scale speed. In addition to supporting our local economy, bicycling tends to bring less stress, more joy, and increased health.

These are a few of the reasons behind the new development of bicycle-friendly business districts (BFBDs) – districts where merchants actively encourage people to bike to area shops and restaurants, and where merchants and employees ride, too. BFBDs integrate bikes into a district’s operations, events and promotions. Read More...

Developer proposes $60 million apartment complex near JFK T stop

2012-10-09 07:11:20

A Boston developer is looking to build a $60 million apartment complex with 278 units between the JFK/UMass MBTA station and the Shaw’s Supermarket on Morrissey Boulevard -- a potential step toward a more extensive development with restaurants, shops, and office space along the sparsely populated roadway.

David Greaney, president of Synergy Investments, said his firm has sent a letter of intent to the Boston Redevelopment Authority, outlining its plans for the nearly 93,000 square-foot-property. Renderings show a two-building, five-and-a-half-story complex with a club room, gym, parking garage and lots, and courtyard. Read More...