Friday Five: Abundance, Innovation, and Map Designs Happy Friday! Here's what we're reading this week: What We're Reading This Week: What the “Abundance” Movement Means for Transportation A growing faction of technologists and policy influencers is rallying around “abundance” as a new vision for infrastructure—one that emphasizes more of everything: more housing, more transit options, more highways, more airports. This abundance mindset has entered urban policy debates, especially around...
over 1 year ago • 2 min read
Friday Five: Trains, Cameras, and Traffic Happy Friday! Here's what we're reading this week: What We're Reading This Week: Where Hydrogen and Battery-Powered Trains are Coming to US Commuter Rail A growing wave of battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell trains could reshape American rail travel. Several U.S. transit agencies are testing these low-emission alternatives to diesel locomotives, aiming to cut carbon footprints and operating costs. California and the Northeast are leading the...
over 1 year ago • 2 min read
Friday Five: Funding, Fragmenting, and Federal Lands Happy Friday! Here's what we're reading this week: What We're Reading This Week: New California Bill Seeks to Boost Housing Density Near Transit California State Senator Scott Wiener has introduced new legislation aimed at increasing housing density near transit hubs. The bill would streamline approvals for multi-family housing projects located within walking distance of public transportation, overriding local zoning restrictions. Wiener...
over 1 year ago • 2 min read
Friday Five: Trains, Trees, and Homebodies Happy Friday! Here's what we're reading this week: What We're Reading This Week: France’s High-Speed Trains Are Getting a Sleek, Sustainable Makeover France’s iconic TGV trains are being revamped with a next-generation design that prioritizes energy efficiency, passenger comfort, and expanded capacity. The new TGV M model will use 20% less energy while carrying more riders, thanks to improved aerodynamics and lighter materials. The redesign also...
over 1 year ago • 2 min read
Friday Five: Funways, Caps, and Housing Conversions Happy Friday! Here's what we're reading this week: What We're Reading This Week: San Francisco’s ‘Great Funway’ Set to Open April 12 San Francisco is transforming part of the Great Highway into the “Great Funway,” a car-free space for walking, biking, and recreation along the coast. The project builds on pandemic-era street closures that proved popular with residents, offering a scenic, safe alternative to car traffic. City officials hope...
over 1 year ago • 2 min read
Friday Five: Air Taxis, Sidewalks, and Downtowns Happy Friday! Here's what we're reading this week: What We're Reading This Week: Denver Takes Step to Fund Sidewalk Repairs with Public Fees Denver is pioneering a unique approach to sidewalk maintenance, shifting the financial burden from individual property owners to a citywide fee system. The move aims to address long-standing accessibility and safety issues, ensuring consistent repairs and upgrades across neighborhoods. While some residents...
over 1 year ago • 2 min read
Friday Five: Skateparks, Robots, and Comebacks Happy Friday! Here's what we're reading this week: What We're Reading This Week: Skateparks as City-Building: How Designers Are Bringing Skate Culture to New Frontiers From Baghdad to Bangalore, a new wave of designers is building skateparks in cities that have never had them before. These projects go beyond recreation—they create inclusive public spaces, empower youth, and help reshape urban environments. By working with local communities,...
over 1 year ago • 2 min read
Friday Five: Shoup, Recovery, and Culdesac Happy Friday, and happy Valentine's Day! Here's what we're reading this week: What We're Reading This Week: Remembering Donald Shoup, the ‘Father of Parking Reform’ Donald Shoup, the influential urban planner whose work reshaped how cities think about parking, passed away this week at the age of 86. Shoup, author of The High Cost of Free Parking, argued that underpriced and abundant parking fuels traffic, sprawl, and pollution. His research inspired...
over 1 year ago • 2 min read
Friday Five: Robotaxis, Downtowns, and Vision Zero Happy Friday! Here's what we're reading this week: What We're Reading This Week: Uber’s CEO Lays Out Vision for Robotaxi Fleet Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has revealed the company’s roadmap for integrating autonomous vehicles into its platform, envisioning a future where robotaxis play a major role in urban transportation. While human drivers will remain part of the mix, Uber sees AVs improving efficiency, lowering costs, and expanding service...
over 1 year ago • 2 min read