Long Island

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announces transit project in concourse for new Grand Central Madison station

Long Island Rail Now Connects to Grand Central Terminal

A new rail service launched this week could save commuters as much as 40 minutes on trips between Long Island and Manhattan.

January 26, 2023 - Bloomberg CityLab

Chicago Commuter Rail

Alternative Railroad Electrification

Rather than building costly overhead electrification infrastructure to convert a Chicago-area commuter rail line from polluting diesel power to emission-free electricity, the Metra Board of Directors chose a far less expensive and quicker route.

August 28, 2022 - Metra

A black and white photo of U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Robert Moses, Robert Caro Back in the News, Along With a Debate About Systemic Racism

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg set off a social media frenzy by referencing an anecdote from "The Power Broker." While some didn't understand the reference, others repeated long-standing questions about the source.

November 10, 2021 - The Washington Post

McDonald's building, New Hyde Park, Long Island

America's 'Most Beautiful McDonald's'?

The Long Island restaurant is housed in a historic 18th century farmhouse.

April 30, 2021 - Inman News

Suburban Home

Disparate Impact Won't Save Us From Exclusionary Zoning

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) imposes liability upon landlords and governments whose policies have a discriminatory effect against racial minorities. However, the courts have interpreted this doctrine narrowly.

March 30, 2020 - Michael Lewyn

Long Island, New York

Reporters Go Undercover to Identify Housing Discrimination

A three-year investigation of the real estate industry on Long Island reveals rampant discriminatory practices and an industry complicit in the segregation of the communities that comprise the region.

November 20, 2019 - Newsday

Helicopter New York City

The Elite Helicopter Commutes of N.Y.C.

Helicopters are an exclusive mode that lets those who can afford it avoid the time and inconveniences of on-the-ground travel. But, say critics, it just highlights the gap between the city's haves and have-nots.

August 8, 2019 - The New York Times

New York City to Reduce Truck Emissions by Investing in Freight Rail Infrastructure

The Big Apple may claim the nation's highest public transit ridership, but it ranks well below average in its use of freight rail. Two small short line railroads are at the center of a $100 million investment to reduce truck reliance.

April 11, 2019 - The New York Times

New York City

Done Deal: Manhattan Congestion Pricing

Finally, congestion pricing, as applied to city cordons, not highways, will be coming to the U.S., thanks to a budget deal approved by the New York State Legislature early Sunday morning. Tolls below 60th Street should begin by Jan. 1, 2021.

April 2, 2019 - amNew York

Affordable Housing

More Fallout on Affordable Housing from Tax Bill

While the low income housing tax credit was retained, banks will be much less willing to purchase them due to their reduced corporate tax rate. That's just one way H.R. 1 will exacerbate divisions between the rich and poor in America's cities.

December 27, 2017 - The New York Times

Caribbean Hurricane Season

Puerto Rico Braces for Direct Hit from Hurricane Maria on Wednesday

A second catastrophic hurricane is on track to devastate much of the Caribbean, barely two weeks after category five Hurricane Irma departed. In addition to Maria, a much weaker Hurricane Jose will affect the Mid-Atlantic and New England.

September 19, 2017 - CNN

Rockaway Beach

Long Island Developers Taking Storm Risk Seriously

Tree-huggers many of them are not, but there's consensus among Long Island developers that storm resilience is an investment worth making.

September 13, 2017 - Newsday

LIRR Train

How Long Island Transit Segregates By Class

Long Island's two major transit services, MTA's LIRR trains and the NICE bus system, are less coordinated than they could be. This has a big impact on ease of movement for low-income residents.

June 1, 2017 - StreetsBlog NYC

Wind

Maryland Positions Itself as Nation's Leader in Offshore Wind Power

In a few years, Maryland is expected to be the nation's leader in offshore renewable wind power made possible by the Public Service Commission's approval on May 11 of credits to two projects by U.S. Wind and Skipjack Offshore Energy.

May 15, 2017 - Planetizen

Airport

Population Flight in New York Metro Region and Decline in New York State

New data from the U.S. Census and Empire Center shows that for the first time in a decade, the Empire State lost population. Furthermore, last year only two upstate counties had more residents arrive from other states than leave.

April 5, 2017 - New York Post

Wind

The Good News that Almost Was for U.S. Offshore Wind Advocates

The anticipated approval of the largest proposed offshore wind farm in the U.S., a 90-megawatt facility off Montauk on Long Island, was unexpectedly delayed. But what will soon be the nation's first offshore wind farm did receive some good news.

July 24, 2016 - Innovate Long Island

Portland Pearl District Streetcar

PBS Takes on Urban Planning, Good and Bad, with '10 Towns' Special

Beginning with the first U.S. planned urban development, St. Augustine, Fla., and ending with one of Portland's newest neighborhoods, the Pearl District, host Geoffrey Baer takes us through ten developments that left their mark, for better or worse.

April 27, 2016 - PBS

Mansion

Barriers to Integration Come Down Slowly in Wealthy, White Suburban Enclaves

Beware of possible code words like "character" and "flavor" when it comes to community resistance to multifamily housing or increased density. Case in point, Garden City, Long Island.

April 25, 2016 - The New York Times

Long Island City

In Long Island City, a Glimpse of the Future?

According to critic James Russell, Long Island City has come to resemble the new metropolises of Asia. A frenetic jumble of old and new, the area's "dystopian" qualities aren't all bad.

April 3, 2016 - James S. Russell

McMansion

Empty Nesters Stuck in the Suburbs

Just when boomers are ready to return to the city to enjoy all its cultural offerings, they find themselves priced out. Many do downsize, however, from large single family homes to more urban areas close to home.

March 4, 2016 - The New York Times

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.