Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2 - Robbie Silver

Manhattan skyline seen from Brooklyn, New York City with brick apartment buildings in foreground.
NYC Council Approves Brooklyn Rezoning Plan

The Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use Plan includes infrastructure investments and could bring 4,600 new housing units to parts of Brooklyn.

May 30 - BK Reader

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

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White and yellow DART light rail train in Dallas, Texas with brick building in background.

DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process

The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.

May 28 - Mass Transit

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2 - The Hill

A yellow RTD train at platform at Union Station in Denver, Colorado.

Colorado Officials ​P​lan Denver-Fort Collins Rail Service ​by 2029

About $40 million a year in state funding from new transportation fees could be the key to getting a short passenger rail line from Denver to Fort Collins up and running in the next four years, Colorado officials said last week.

May 26 - Colorado Newsline

White Shinkansen high-speed rail train passing on bridge over pond in Japan.

Texas, California Rail Projects Seek Out Private Funding

In the wake of Trump’s cuts to high-speed rail projects, rail authorities are looking to private-public partnerships to supplement their budgets.

May 25 - Smart Cities Dive

Aerial view of Shared Roof apartment building in Seattle with glass greenhouse on roof.

Seattle Families Build Their Dream Apartment Building From Scratch

A group of friends decided to buy land and finance the construction of a custom-built apartment building with unique apartment layouts and sizes and a wealth of shared amenities.

May 26 - Fast Company

Tall red brick public housing building in New York City surrounded by shorter apartment buildings.

Trump's “Able Bodied” Public Housing Limits Could Displace Over 300,000 New Yorkers

As part of 43% cut to federal rental assistance, Trump is proposing a two-year limit on public housing tenure for “able bodied adults.”

June 2 - The City

Photo of man looking at large painting.

Meet Our New AI Columnist!

In a new monthly column for Planetizen, planner and artificial intelligence expert Tom Sanchez invites a conversation about how AI will shape urban planning — and how urban planners can (and should) shape AI.

May 28 - Planetizen

View of mostly full parking lot next to multi-story red brick buildings with modern glass skyscraper in background in downtown Dallas, Texas.

Dallas Ditches Parking Minimums in 14-1 Vote

The sweeping city council decision removes set parking requirements from developments downtown, near transit, small businesses and more.

June 1 - Strong Towns

A subdivision of large suburban homes, some with bright blue pools, sits atop a low hill in Hays County, Texas.

Bill to Allow Smaller Homes on Smaller Lots Resurrected in Texas House

A top priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the legislation would make it easier to construct homes on smaller lots. A House Democrat briefly killed the bill.

May 27 - The Texas Tribune

High view of Chicago train on elevated rail in downtown with reflective glass building on left and brick building on right.

Chicago Transit: $770M Shortfall, 40% Service Cuts Loom

Despite dire warnings from transit officials, the Illinois General Assembly ended its legislative session without a solution.

June 3 - Smart Cities Dive

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2 - The Hill

Chicago Transit

Time Running Out for Illinois Transit Bill

Chicago-area transit agencies face a daunting budget gap if lawmakers fail to agree on a funding bill by the end of the current legislative session.

May 29 - Streetsblog Chicago

Traffic in front of Trump Hotel in Manhattan, New York City.

Judge Extends NYC Congestion Pricing Through at Least June 9

A federal judge halted the Trump administration’s effort to kill the program, which remains in limbo as a lawsuit filed by the MTA moves forward.

May 28 - Associated Press via KCRA

Traffic and old buildings in Manhattan, New York City.

USDOT Could Pull Federal Funding for New York

The federal government gave the state until May 21 to end new York City’s congestion pricing program or risk losing federal funding and project approvals.

May 22 - Smart Cities Dive

High view of Chicago train on elevated rail in downtown with reflective glass building on left and brick building on right.

Chicago Transit: $770M Shortfall, 40% Service Cuts Loom

Despite dire warnings from transit officials, the Illinois General Assembly ended its legislative session without a solution.

June 3 - Smart Cities Dive

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2 - The Hill

Chicago Transit

Time Running Out for Illinois Transit Bill

Chicago-area transit agencies face a daunting budget gap if lawmakers fail to agree on a funding bill by the end of the current legislative session.

May 29 - Streetsblog Chicago

Traffic in front of Trump Hotel in Manhattan, New York City.

Judge Extends NYC Congestion Pricing Through at Least June 9

A federal judge halted the Trump administration’s effort to kill the program, which remains in limbo as a lawsuit filed by the MTA moves forward.

May 28 - Associated Press via KCRA

Traffic and old buildings in Manhattan, New York City.

USDOT Could Pull Federal Funding for New York

The federal government gave the state until May 21 to end new York City’s congestion pricing program or risk losing federal funding and project approvals.

May 22 - Smart Cities Dive

Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

1.25 AICP CM

Instructor Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places—Economics, the Environment, Public Health, Equity, and Social Cohesiveness—in order to arm practitioners with the full range of arguments in favor of pro-walkability planning.

 

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90% of students who took AICP Exam Preparation Class passed the exam and became AICP certified.


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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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Planetizen Guide to Graduate Urban Planning Programs

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

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