Back in April, I recorded two hour-long courses for Planetizen’s library of courses on urban planning topics. Planetizen has now polished these up with video effects and they’re ready for you to watch.
- Introduction to Transit Service Policy gives the tools you need to understand how public transit networks are designed and how this informs public policy. I explain the geometric facts underlying how transit networks work and how these networks interact with the built environment to create ridership potential. This discussion includes a review of key principles and examples from various recent network designs. You can watch this course for free until the end of January 2025.
- Planning Communities for Maximum Transit Access is geared more for people focused on city-building activities such as city planning, real estate and architecture, but advocates and elected officials will find it valuable as well. In fact, it’s relevant for anyone making decisions about where to locate anything. Here, I critique the assumption that rail service, but not bus service, is relevant to urban redevelopment. Then, I offer an alternative approach to traditional transit-oriented land use planning, one where access to destinations via transit is the primary focus. The key to this approach lies in locating and planning development to maximize access to opportunities using sustainable modes. This course requires a regular Planetizen subscription, but I’m proud of it and I think you’ll find it worthwhile.
Both courses are relevant to audiences worldwide, although when dealing with the economic aspects of the topic I’m focused mostly on higher-wage countries (US, Canada, UK, EU, Japan, etc.) The language is US English but any English speaker should have no trouble following it.
Here’s a clip to give you a sense of the feel of it. The opening of the first course, and a unit on the geometric features of a city that make public transit efficient.
And here are some early reviews!
- “Mostly not new to me since I’ve followed Walker for a long time, but excellent and useful.”
- “I’m a big fan of JW. He understands and quickly cuts right to the heart of each issue. He offers better, shorter, clearer explanations of things I already understand but don’t explain to others as well. He explains clearly, logically, and dispassionately.”
- “A concisely detailed course about the Introduction to transit service policy. Well delivered by the Instructor.”
- “I am delighted with this course, It is short and effective in explaining about transit system and open my eyes and brain.”
- “The instructor Jarret Walker presented very well, and I was not bored during the full course, It improved my knowledge and thinking about transit.”
- “A great introductory to someone like myself who has little background in urban planning.”
- “He seemed very knowledgeable as well as personable and energetic. He was not boring to watch.”
- “Well thought out and presented
Well balanced— detailed and informative but also excellent for an introduction” - “I suggest he do more courses.”
I hope you enjoy these, and will share them with others who might be interested.
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