Making room for more housing, fixing broken sidewalks, and our favorite books of the year.
As the year came to an end, lawmakers scrambled to pass legislation ahead a new administration, think pieces opined on the reasons for the continued housing crisis, and New York City approved its long-awaited congestion pricing plan, a plan that could still be in jeopardy due to a bevy of legal challenges. Turning his attention from parking to accessibility, Donald Shoup offers an innovative approach for how Los Angeles could fix its broken sidewalks ahead of the Olympics. Meanwhile, Seattle legalized co-living arrangements, which could create more diverse and affordable housing types in the city. Here at Planetizen, we published our annual list of favorite urban planning reads.
The full list of December’s most-read stories:
1. Seattle Legalizes Co-Living
A new law eliminates restrictions on housing facilities that include shared kitchens and other amenities.
2. NYC Congestion Pricing Plan Threatened by Legal Challenges
Finally approved by New York Gov. Hochul and the MTA board, the city’s congestion pricing plan still faces multiple legal hurdles before it can go into effect.
3. The City of Broken Sidewalks
Parking guru Donald Shoup explains how Los Angeles could fix 4,000 miles of broken sidewalks before the city hosts the 2028 Summer Olympics.
4. To Build More Housing, Cities Must Be Smarter in How They Use Land
More evidence that zoning and land use reform could alleviate the housing crisis.
5. NYC Officials Announce Broadway Pedestrianization Project
The city will create a pedestrian and bike-oriented space over two blocks of the famous street.
6. Is Crime More Concentrated in Spread-out Cities?
Does sprawl create a false sense of security?
7. Planetizen’s Top Urban Planning Books of 2024
Our top literary picks of the year.
8. Shifts in Shopping: Transforming Malls Into Parks
How vacant commercial spaces can be repurposed to create badly needed green space.
9. The Glass City’s Riverfront Sparkles with Promise
A massive redevelopment project in Toledo, Ohio is bringing new life to the city’s formerly industrial waterfront.
10. Chicago Allocates $500K to Sidewalk Clearing Pilot
The city is moving ahead with a pilot program that will keep sidewalks clear of snow, but implementing it citywide will cost much more than the half million allocated in next year’s budget.
April Must-Reads: Top 10 Articles From Last Month
A key federal housing assistance program is in peril, Maui tries to balance housing affordability with its tourism-based economy, and a landmark Virginia law could set a new standard for road safety.
Texas Bill Would Ban Road Diets, Congestion Pricing
A Texas state senator wants to prevent any discussion of congestion pricing and could suspend existing bike lane and sidewalk projects.
Baltimore Ordered to Improve Sidewalk Accessibility
The city is one of many to face lawsuits for failing to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
In These Cities, Most New Housing is Under 441 Square Feet
With loosened restrictions on “micro-housing,” tiny units now make up as much as 66% of newly constructed housing.
Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps
New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.
This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors
A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
