Government / Politics

Hope VI Housing

New Public Housing? HUD Has Found a Way

For decades, the number of public housing units across the U.S. has been shrinking. But within the limits of the law and funding, HUD has figured out a way to get back some of the housing that has been lost.

October 18, 2021 - Shelterforce Magazine

Dry Lake in Arizona

Report: Southwest Drought a 'Preview of Coming Attractions'

A NOAA-led task force warns that the drought facing the western U.S. will continue well into 2022 or later without serious efforts to mitigate human-caused global warming.

October 18, 2021 - Climate.gov

Germany

How Global Cities Are Working to Electrify Transit

With the transportation sector accounting for a third of urban carbon emissions, cities around the world are seeking new ways to electrify their transit fleets and reduce fossil fuel consumption.

October 18, 2021 - The New York Times

Image of Buford Highway, Georgia

Major Redevelopment Planned for Gwinnett County, Georgia

City leaders in Norcross, Georgia approved a plan that would bring new housing, retail, and parks to a 'long-neglected' stretch of highway.

October 18, 2021 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Bike Commuter

Breaking Down the Federal Bike Commuter Benefit

The flexible credit is meant to support a variety of bike-related expenses, including bike share memberships.

October 15, 2021 - Streetsblog USA

Jacksonville

An Interview With Jacksonville's New Chief Resiliency Officer

The city of Jacksonville's new resiliency department will evaluate the city's long-term needs and coordinate with various stakeholders to implement systems adaptable to extreme climate events.

October 15, 2021 - Adapt Florida

Suburban Pittsburgh

What Is White Flight?

'White flight' refers to the exodus of white Americans from central cities to suburbs in the early and mid-20 century, a phenomenon which led to declining tax revenue and business closures that created lasting damage to urban neighborhoods.

October 14, 2021 - Diana Ionescu

Rural California Road

Report: Rural Communities Urgently Need Safer Transportation

Despite the reputation of rural America as "drive-through country," many residents depend on walking and transit to get around.

October 14, 2021 - Streetsblog USA

Houston Light Rail

Houston Needs More Public Transit Funding, Report Finds

While ridership dropped during the pandemic, many 'essential workers' continued to rely on Houston Metro's services, signaling the crucial role of public transit for the city's economy.

October 14, 2021 - The Houston Chronicle

Washington D.C.

D.C.'s Housing and Homelessness Crises Are Two Sides of the Same Coin

To reduce homelessness, advocates say, build more affordable housing.

October 14, 2021 - Greater Greater Washington

Mexico City, Florida

FEMA Flood Insurance Updates Reflect Actual Risk to Each Home

Changes to how FEMA calculates flood risk will assess risk at a home-by-home level, rather than estimating the same risk to all homes in the same floodplain.

October 13, 2021 - Grist

Houston

Texas, the Bellwether State

With its rapid economic growth, dynamic cities, and increasingly diverse population, Texas could offer a model for the future of the United States.

October 13, 2021 - The New York Times

Zoning map of Winnipeg, Canada, 1947

Opinion: Outdated Zoning Codes Stifle Growth and Development

Strict separation of uses may be an inefficient way to zone dynamic modern cities.

October 13, 2021 - The Market Urbanism Report

High Point, Seattle

Seattle City Council Changes Single-Family Zoning Name, But Not Substance

The name change to "neighborhood residential zoning" is meant to more accurately reflect the city's diverse neighborhoods, but the new legislation does not change permitted uses.

October 12, 2021 - The Stranger

Barton Springs Greenway, Central Texas

Central Texas Town Approves New Trail Network

Kyle trail master plan will tie into a 100-mile Central Texas network connecting greenways in the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone.

October 12, 2021 - KXAN Austin News

San Antonio Christmas

Growth and Heritage Colliding in San Antonio

As demand for real estate grows, residents in the city's historic neighborhoods face rising costs and the threat of displacement.

October 12, 2021 - The New York Times

Virginia

Opinion: To Increase Equity, Make Buses Free

With buses as a dominant transport mode for low-income households and "essential workers," free fares would increase access to economic opportunities and free up limited income for cash-strapped commuters.

October 12, 2021 - NextCity

Multi-Family Housing

The Problem With Housing Choice Vouchers

Even with new funding proposed in the infrastructure package, voucher recipients face severe challenges in finding landlords that will accept them.

October 11, 2021 - Time Magazine

Biker and driver

Jaywalking, Idaho Stop Bills Vetoed by California's Governor

Faced with the opportunity to redefine the traffic safety regime in one of the nation's most progressive states, Governor Gavin Newsom flinched.

October 11, 2021 - San Francisco Chronicle

Racing Cars

Partisan Splits for Transportation Politics

Researchers found that while left-leaning respondents were more likely to favor transportation reform and sustainable modes, conservatives are not as far behind as we think.

October 11, 2021 - Streetsblog USA

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

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.