Planetizen Week in Review: August 20, 2016

Climate change dominated the news this week, as flooding wreaked unfathomable havoc on the state of Louisiana.

1 minute read

August 20, 2016, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Hurricane Katrina

Robynrg / Shutterstock

It only takes three minutes to catch up on the biggest news stories of the week in the world of planning with the Planetizen Week in Review.

Normally it's foolish to point at a single weather event as proof (or disproof) of climate change, but the week's devastating flooding in Louisiana are an exception. Severe rains and flooding have repeatedly hit the state in the last year, in proof of a new era of climate change.

The village of Shishmaref in Alaska is aware of the new climate era: it voted this week to relocate, faced with rising seas and an eroding coastline.

Ambitious long-term plans were released in Chicago and in the Nashville region, as well. Finally, the city of San Francisco and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development had a high-profile disagreement about fair housing this week.

For more on the stories covered in the video, see the links below.

Saturday, August 20, 2016 in Planetizen

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

White three-story brick single-room occupancy hotel in downtown Los Angeles, California.

‘Micro-Apartment’ Trend Underscores Housing Crisis

SROs are making a comeback under a new name as the housing supply remains strained and costs soar.

March 22, 2024 - Associated Press via Yahoo News

Aerial view of Milwaukee, Wisconsin skyline with freeway interchanges in foreground at night.

Milwaukee Residents Challenge Freeway Expansion

Residents are voicing opposition to a planned expansion of Interstate 94, arguing that the project would eliminate the limited green space in the neighborhood.

52 minutes ago - Spectrum News 1

Street Traffic in Manhattan

New York Congestion Pricing Approved by MTA Board

The program took another step forward as the board approved a proposed pricing scheme, but lawsuits still stand in the way of full implementation.

1 hour ago - Smart Cities Dive

White and yellow Metro Transit streetcar in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Video: Making Transit Better

How trackless trams and other innovations can make U.S. transit more efficient.

2 hours ago - CNBC Marathon

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.