Strong Connections: Improving Accessibility and Promoting Economic Development
Posted October 19th, 2009 in Leading Voices
By Seth Pinsky
A critical component of economic growth in any region is its accessibility both to and from other regions and within the region itself. Without this accessibility, a region will undoubtedly suffer a competitive disadvantage and, as a result, experience economic decline. New York City and its metropolitan region are no exception.
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The Land Use-Transportation Nexus: Using Consensus to Develop a More Sustainable Planning Process
Posted October 19th, 2009 in Articles & Research
By Valerie M. Scopaz, AICP
The current economic crisis coupled with growing concerns about detrimental climate change has focused intense attention on the vision and substance of this nation’s energy and transportation policies. The changes being proposed by the Obama administration seem designed to fast-forward significant shifts in where and how capital investments are made.
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Ports Tackle Air Emissions Seeking Sustainable Development
Posted October 19th, 2009 in Articles & Research
By Thomas Wakeman
Since the passage of the National Environmental Policy Act, which was signed into law on January 1, 1970, there has been a perceived tension between the need for economic development and the need for environmental protection. For decades, that tension has been characterized as “business versus the environment” or as “developers versus the regulators.”
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The Last Mile: Developing Efficient Freight Operations In The Central Business District
Posted October 19th, 2009 in Articles & Research
By Anne G. Morris
Location is a primary and critical business decision; it follows that commercial real estate and “location” are inextricably connected. Factors that impinge upon location, from security to congestion, should be examined in terms of the bottom line before a lease is executed.
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The Northeast Megaregion: A Stronger Future with High Speed Rail
Posted October 19th, 2009 in Articles & Research
By Yoav Hagler, Associate Planner, America 2050, Regional Plan Association
A modern integrated transportation network in the Northeast megaregion, anchored by a world class high speed rail system, has the potential to enhance mobility options, transform the economy and help the Northeast meet its environmental goals.
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Richard Sarles Speaks about NJT
Posted October 6th, 2009 in Interviews
During a recent interview for the NY Transportation Journal Mr. Richard Sarles, Executive Director of NJ Transit talked to Dr. Rachel Weinberger about his views on the significant role that NJT plays within the regional context, recent and planned service improvements, ridership, and other issues.
Link here for a transcript of this interview and the webcast of its highlights
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Debating the Nation’s Surface Transportation Program Re-authorization
Posted October 5th, 2009 in Fellows Forum
The debate over the re-authorization of the nation’s surface transportation program will be heating up in the months to come. The greater New York metropolitan region has many unique characteristics that mean its agenda for the re-authorization may differ from that of other large urban areas. Given your perspective on the needs facing the nation generally, and the specific challenges facing the New York region, what would you suggest should be the top priorities for our delegation as they seek to influence the re-authorization?
Follow this link for answers to this question from our Senior Contributors.
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Changing Lanes: Interview with Andrew Spano and C. Scott Vanderhoef
Posted June 11th, 2009 in Interviews
In a previous issue of the Journal, Rachel Weinberger, Assistant Professor of City and Regional Planning at the University of Pennsylvania, interviewed Andrew Spano and C. Scott Vanderhoef, the county executives (CEs) of Westchester and Rockland, respectively.
