Low angle view of busy crosswalk with pedestrians and a bike.
Planning Year in Review 2024: An Ongoing Housing Crisis, the Fight for Climate Resilience, and a Mixed Bag for Transportation

A pedestrian safety crisis, rising housing instability, and destructive extreme weather events set the stage for an eventful year.

January 12 - Diana Ionescu

New Haven, Connecticut downtown skyline with fall foliage in foreground.
New Haven Reaches for Reinvention Amidst Failures of Urban Renewal

Seeking recovery from decades of failed urban renewal projects, New Haven rings in the new year by continuing a series of small-scale urban planning initiatives to reinvent its municipal spaces. 

January 12 - Governing Magazine

Key Climate and Health Issues to Watch in 2025

January 13 - Association of Health Care Journalists

Looking Back on 60 Years of Land Development in the Twin Cities

January 12 - Metropolitan Council: Metro Update

NYC Ranked as Slowest US City for Traffic

January 10 - Bloomberg CityLab

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Large brutalist building and skyscrapers viewed from middle of wide street in downtown Houston, Texas.

Research Links Urban Design and Human Happiness

An emerging field of ‘neuroarchitectural’ research is revealing how building facades and urban design impact the human brain and body.

January 3 - Wired

Graphic illustrating street with various lanes designed in Streetmix.

Reimagining Your Street

How to use free online tools to redesign your local streetscape.

January 3 - Urbanism Speakeasy via Substack

Sprawl

Research: Sprawl Linked to Poverty

Low-income families living in high-sprawl neighborhoods are limited in their access to education, jobs, and other amenities, often trapping them in a cycle of poverty.

January 6 - Science Blog

Close-up of white and black NO CAMPING sign on black iron fence.

Nevada Cities Pass Punitive Anti-Homeless Laws

State legislators rejected a proposed bill that would have enshrined a “Homeless Person’s Bill of Rights” in state law.

January 3 - Nevada Current

Cyclist on bike in green painted bike lane at intersection with three-story buildings in background.

NACTO Releases Updated Urban Bikeway Guide

The third edition of the nationally recognized road design guide includes detailed design advice for roads that prioritize safety and accessibility for all users.

January 8 - National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO)

Colorado flags draped between buildings in downtown Denver, Colorado.

Denver Pauses Multifamily Development in Westside Neighborhoods Amidst Gentrification Concerns

City officials say the pause on permits for redevelopment projects aims to stop the displacement of long-term residents.

January 9 - Governing

Muni bus with bike on front bike rack on San Francisco street

San Francisco Muni Cuts Frequency on Four Bus Lines

The agency says the changes are part of an effort to address its financial crisis and continue delivering “reliable service.”

January 9 - San Francisco Chronicle

Black banner with white text "We're building the future - Little Tokyo/Arts District Station" in Los Angeles, California.

How Did Transit Projects Fare in 2024?

A comprehensive list of public transit expansions and new lines that opened in 2024, and projections for 2025.

January 7 - the transport politic

Bus stop with agave mosaic in Phoenix, Arizona.

Phoenix Shade Plan Focuses on Bus Stops

The city’s updated Shade Master Plan calls for trees and built structures at bus stops to protect residents from heat.

January 9 - Smart Cities Dive

Child wearing yellow reflective safety vest looking before crossing street.

Study: Auto Braking Tech Doesn’t Register Reflective Clothing

The automatic braking systems on two major car models failed to stop for pedestrians wearing reflective strips in a test.

January 10 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of hand holding smartphone and Tesla car hood in background.

NHTSA Investigation Targets Tesla Remote Parking

Dozens of videos reportedly show Tesla vehicles colliding with other cars, parking signs, and walls while using a driverless remote parking feature.

January 8 - The Verge

Cyclist on bike in green painted bike lane at intersection with three-story buildings in background.

NACTO Releases Updated Urban Bikeway Guide

The third edition of the nationally recognized road design guide includes detailed design advice for roads that prioritize safety and accessibility for all users.

January 8 - National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO)

Bird's eye view of roundabout with two lanes and four branches.

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Roundabout

What drives the U.S. backlash to roundabouts — objectively safer and more efficient than stop-and-go intersections?

January 8 - Bloomberg CityLab

Sillhouette of cyclist riding on path among trees with downtown Cleveland, Ohio skyline visible across water in background.

Cleveland To Build First Protected Downtown Bike Lane

The city is taking steps to build out a more comprehensive bike lane network to connect downtown destinations.

January 6 - Cleveland Scene

Child wearing yellow reflective safety vest looking before crossing street.

Study: Auto Braking Tech Doesn’t Register Reflective Clothing

The automatic braking systems on two major car models failed to stop for pedestrians wearing reflective strips in a test.

January 10 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of hand holding smartphone and Tesla car hood in background.

NHTSA Investigation Targets Tesla Remote Parking

Dozens of videos reportedly show Tesla vehicles colliding with other cars, parking signs, and walls while using a driverless remote parking feature.

January 8 - The Verge

Cyclist on bike in green painted bike lane at intersection with three-story buildings in background.

NACTO Releases Updated Urban Bikeway Guide

The third edition of the nationally recognized road design guide includes detailed design advice for roads that prioritize safety and accessibility for all users.

January 8 - National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO)

Bird's eye view of roundabout with two lanes and four branches.

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Roundabout

What drives the U.S. backlash to roundabouts — objectively safer and more efficient than stop-and-go intersections?

January 8 - Bloomberg CityLab

Sillhouette of cyclist riding on path among trees with downtown Cleveland, Ohio skyline visible across water in background.

Cleveland To Build First Protected Downtown Bike Lane

The city is taking steps to build out a more comprehensive bike lane network to connect downtown destinations.

January 6 - Cleveland Scene

Introduction to Transit Service Policy

1.75 AICP CM

Instructor Jarrett Walker teaches you tools you need to understand how public transit networks are designed and how this informs public policy. Available for free for a limited time. 

 

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Top Books

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Top Urban Planning Mobile Apps in 2023

Planning apps for a brave new world.

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The Guide is the only comprehensive ranking and listing of graduate urban planning programs available.

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