Government / Politics

Transportation Network Companies

First City to Make Ride-Hailing Trip Data Public: Chicago

Data geeks in Chicago will get the first chance to crunch detailed data on transportation network company trips in their city.

April 16, 2019 - Streetsblog Chicago

Phoenix Aerial

Big Ideas for Downtown Phoenix Park, but Little Progress

Advocates say an upgraded Hance Park could be a great success for the city, but the move forward has been slow.

April 15, 2019 - azcentral.com

Sewer

Florida Plagued by Sewage Spills

The state’s aging sewage infrastructure is failing, but the cost to replace it would be monumental.

April 15, 2019 - GateHouse Media

Donald Trump

Trump Signs Two Executive Orders Limiting States' Authority Over Energy Pipelines

The Trump administration's "energy dominance" agenda depends, in part, on growing the energy distribution network, namely pipelines, rail facilities, and ports. However, states can use the Clean Water Act to block pipelines and coal terminals.

April 15, 2019 - InsideClimate News

New York New Jersey Transit

Gateway Program Encounters Barrier in Trump

President Trump has not been a friend to the $30 billion Gateway Program, a transportation project meant to replace aging rail infrastructure connecting New York and New Jersey.

April 15, 2019 - Yahoo Finance

Tampa TECO  Streetcar

Tampa Streetcar Sees Big Boost in Ridership

Free fares and more frequent service have resulted in a huge increase in ridership on the TECO Line Streetcar and proved skeptics wrong.

April 14, 2019 - Streetsblog USA

Public Art Bronx

N.Y.C. Artists in Residence Tackle Social Issues

A program in New York brings artists into public agencies to work on collaborative projects that take creative approaches to problem solving.

April 14, 2019 - The New York Times

Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Housing on the Agenda as Philadelphia Election Approaches

In the run-up to a municipal primary scheduled for May 21, Philadelphia's City Council has introduced a range of bills to address housing affordability and tenants' rights.

April 13, 2019 - Next City

Lisbon Tourism

Fostering Global Tourism Without Destroying Cities

More people than ever are traveling, but cities around the world are struggling to keep up. A new declaration aims to balance the benefits and challenges of tourism.

April 13, 2019 - Reuters

Cobblestones vs. Bike and Pedestrian Improvements Controversy in Brooklyn

Improving streets in Sunset Park by removing cobblestones and aging train tracks has created a controversy between historic preservation and the need for safe bike and walking facilities and other streetscape improvements.

April 12, 2019 - Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Housing Development

Affordable Single-Family Rental Housing Supply Needs a Boost

The supply gap is hitting lower-income families especially hard, a new study shows.

April 12, 2019 - Housing Perspectives

New York City to Reduce Truck Emissions by Investing in Freight Rail Infrastructure

The Big Apple may claim the nation's highest public transit ridership, but it ranks well below average in its use of freight rail. Two small short line railroads are at the center of a $100 million investment to reduce truck reliance.

April 11, 2019 - The New York Times

Chicago

Green New Deal Needs to Push for Better Transit Policies

The plan points to transit’s role in a cleaner and more sustainable future, but comprehensive changes in transportation policy are also needed.

April 11, 2019 - Data for Progress

Amsterdam Wedding

Rather Than Banning Cars, Amsterdam Reduces On-Street Parking

Amsterdam will pursue the Oslo model of targeting parking spots, rather than driving bans, to make for a walk-and-bike friendly city. On-street parking spaces will gradually be replaced, starting July 1, with bike lanes, sidewalks, and trees.

April 11, 2019 - CityLab

Toronto Lyrics

Provincial Takeover of Subway Planning in Toronto Underway

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a new plan for subway expansion in Toronto today.

April 10, 2019 - Toronto Star

San Francisco

Bay Area Transportation Planners Breathing Easier After Court Ruling

A total of $4.5 billion in road and transit projects was at stake in a state taxpayer group's lawsuit against a regional ballot measure approved by voters in June 2018.

April 10, 2019 - The Press Democrat

Senator and Democratic Candidate for President

Kamala Harris Reintroduces 'Rent Relief Act'

The Rent Relief Act would provide a refundable tax credit for renters who pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

April 9, 2019 - Roll Call

Skid Row

Preventing Homelessness Through Data Analysis

Predictive analytics can help identify vulnerable people early and deliver necessary services before they descend into homelessness.

April 9, 2019 - Dissent

Expo Line

Report: Modest Congestion Charge Would Produce Dramatic Results in Los Angeles

Applying a cordon toll as low as $4 in Los Angeles would result in a 20% reduction in traffic congestion and modest increases in transit ridership, walking, and biking, according to a new study from the Southern California Association of Governments.

April 9, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

Phoenix

Walking in Phoenix Can Mean Taking Your Life in Your Hands

Phoenix's roads are the most dangerous in the state for pedestrians, but the city is taking little action to make them safer.

April 8, 2019 - AZ Central

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.