Category: Opinion

Equity, Opinion, Transportation

New York City Congestion Pricing is Needed – But Only if Equity Concerns are Taken Seriously

By Sophia Nelson If the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approves the Central Business District Program’s Environmental Assessment, New York City will be the first in the nation to implement a congestion pricing program, something it desperately needs to minimize congestion in Manhattan and to raise revenue for overdue transit improvements, but it must help make transportation easier for those it aims to serve – not … Continue reading New York City Congestion Pricing is Needed – But Only if Equity Concerns are Taken Seriously

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Opinion, Research Triangle, Transportation

Seems Like an Unsolvable Problem: A Loosely Hinged Recommendation for Tackling Bus Driver Shortages

By James Hamilton This week Chapel Hill Transit celebrated Valentine’s Day by restoring several bus trips that had been removed at the beginning of the year.[i]  Following an erratic Fall semester, the provider officially reduced its service in response to staff shortages. Beginning in January 2022, the A, CL, CM, CW, D, J, and N routes all had leaner schedules with the goal of “minimizing … Continue reading Seems Like an Unsolvable Problem: A Loosely Hinged Recommendation for Tackling Bus Driver Shortages

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Opinion, Research Triangle, Transportation

Missing the Train: Why Raleigh’s Lack of a Light Rail is Holding the City Back

By Ian Ramirez If you’re a vehicle owner and you’re reading this, I’m willing to bet you can think of a time or two in your life where you felt a real freedom attached to driving. However, I’d also wager that you don’t always love sitting in traffic when you’re already twenty minutes late to work. Recognizing the environmental and economic downturn that has been … Continue reading Missing the Train: Why Raleigh’s Lack of a Light Rail is Holding the City Back

Carolina Planning Journal Board
Economic Development, Land Use and Environmental Planning, Opinion

Why I Loathe the High Line, and How Parks Became New York’s New Gentrification Tool

By Eve Lettau When I tell people that the High Line is my least favorite park in New York City, their jaws instantly drop. I am aware that some view my opinion as blasphemous, but when we critically assess the High Line’s impact, it’s clear it wasn’t designed to benefit all New Yorkers. Please, don’t get me wrong, it has some very good qualities. It … Continue reading Why I Loathe the High Line, and How Parks Became New York’s New Gentrification Tool

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DCRP, Opinion, Research Triangle

From the Archives: Advice from the Class of 2017

Back in 2016, the UNC City and Regional Planning’s Class of 2017 answered some of the incoming class’s deepest darkest questions as they began their first year of graduate school. As the Class of 2023 wraps up week 1 of the program, we revisit this great advice, still just as relevant a full five years later. By Rachel Wexler, Daniel Bullock, and Chris Bendix, MCRP … Continue reading From the Archives: Advice from the Class of 2017

Carolina Planning Journal Board
Economic Development, Equity, Opinion

North Carolina’s Tech Boom and Housing Affordability

By Elijah Gullett In light of Apple’s announcement that they will be placing one of their headquarters in Wake County, many fear skyrocketing housing costs in response. Apple touts that this new 3,000 new jobs to the area, potentially encouraging mass migration to the Raleigh-Durham area. Google has also recently announced their plans to build a hub in Durham and claims that they will eventually … Continue reading North Carolina’s Tech Boom and Housing Affordability

Carolina Planning Journal Board
Land Use and Environmental Planning, Opinion

A Call to End Parking Minimums in Carrboro for a More Equitable, Sustainable, and Economically Vibrant Future

By Will Curran-Groome With the Town of Carrboro’s first-ever comprehensive planning effort currently under way, our community has a unique opportunity to assess where we’re at and chart a better vision for the future. This is a call for Carrboro’s Town Council to abolish parking minimums in Carrboro, which will help to move our town toward a more racially and economically equitable, sustainable, and economically … Continue reading A Call to End Parking Minimums in Carrboro for a More Equitable, Sustainable, and Economically Vibrant Future

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Opinion, Transportation

The Potential Impacts of Autonomous Vehicles on Future U.S. Land Use

By Will Anderson The following is written under the assumption that by the year 2050, the United States will have completely converted to the usage of level 5 autonomous vehicles (AVs). This means that all vehicles will be fully automated and capable of performing all driving functions under any conditions. Innovations such as camera sensors, Lidar, Radar, ultrasound, and computer vision will enable AVs to … Continue reading The Potential Impacts of Autonomous Vehicles on Future U.S. Land Use

Carolina Planning Journal Board
Opinion

Planning as a Front Row Political Issue

By: Evan King The people who benefit most from the American urban environment’s injustices do not usually make a habit of talking about them. Wealthy suburbs are built not just to keep resources away from minorities, but to make this deprivation invisible and undiscussed. It’s no coincidence that high-profile political debate rarely focuses on the built environment – national elections hinge on the support of … Continue reading Planning as a Front Row Political Issue

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