Mayor John Street's Wireless Philadelphia initiative aims to provided high-speed Internet access across the city. Critics see a 'virtual quagmire'.
Today municipal Wi-Fi networks carry the same cachet as swanky sports stadiums and convention centers. Cities are betting big bucks that low-cost Web access will attract tech-savvy businesses, encourage tourism and project a hip image capable of wooing young professionals.
...Urban planner Scott Page [Editor's note: Scott Page is also contributes to the Planetizen Tech Talk blog] says it's naive to believe Wi-Fi is a practical tool for attracting young professionals. 'I'm not going to move to Philadelphia because it has Wi-Fi. People move because of social and business contacts.'
Page, who developed a technology plan for North Philadelphia, champions the broad Wi-Fi initiative. But he hopes the city will perceive wireless technology 'as an opportunity to reinforce what's unique about our neighborhoods--and not homogenize our city.' "
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: Down to the Wire

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall
A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.

Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.

In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle
Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont