Infrastructure

Mountlake Terrace, Washington

House Committee Calls for Stronger Federal Role in Planning to Deal With Climate Change

The new "Solving the Climate Crisis" report could provide guidance and direction if federal leadership in Washington, D.C. finally decides to take aggressive steps to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to a changed climate.

July 9, 2020 - American Planning Association

Seattle-to-Spokane Intercity Rail

Seattle-to-Spokane Intercity Rail Proposal Studied

Washington State planners have completed a feasibility study into the proposed East-West Passenger Rail System for Washington State.

July 8, 2020 - The Urbanist

Richmond 300 Cap Park Plan

Richmond 300 Plan Update Includes New Cap Park, Form-Based Code

Richmond, Virginia is hoping to make some big changes in time for its tricentennial in 2037, including a new cap park and a new form-based code.

July 7, 2020 - Richmond BizSense

Brooklyn, New York City

Tactical Urbanism Gurus Rethink Equity

Mike Lydon and Tony Garcia wrote the book on Tactical Urbanism, and as leading consultants of the practice in cities around the country, they have faced criticism in recent weeks and months for a lack of attention to matters of equity.

July 7, 2020 - Streetsblog USA

Coronavirus and Transportation

More Riders on Buses Than the Subway in New York City, in a Historic First

Buses in New York City are proving to be a crucial tool as New York recovers from a brutal experience at the beginning of the pandemic.

July 7, 2020 - The New York Times

Dakota Access Protest

A Bad Day to Be a Pipeline: Judge Shuts Down Dakota Access; Atlantic Coast Pipeline Canceled

Two of the most controversial pipeline projects in the United States were dealt massive blows within the span of 24 hours.

July 6, 2020 - Bismark Tribune

Chelsea Square Restaurant in Chelsea in in New York

'Open Restaurants on Open Streets' Program Announced in NYC

The al fresco streets concept is coming to New York City.

July 6, 2020 - StreetsBlog NYC

Willamette River

Plan to Widen I-5 in Portland Loses Critical Local Support

The I-5 Rose Quarter project has proven controversial throughout the study and planning process, and now it's losing key local political support.

July 5, 2020 - The Oregonian

Delivery Services

Pilot Projects Launched to Test Coordinated Curb Use

Coord, a Sidewalk Labs spinoff, has selected the winners of the inaugural Digital Curb Challenge.

July 5, 2020 - Smart Cities Dive

Freeway Construction

House Democrats Approve $1.5 Trillion 'Moving Forward Act'

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called the Moving Forward Act vote "pointless political theater."

July 2, 2020 - The Washington Post

California Big Sur

New Rule on Environmental Impacts of Driving, Long Awaited, Goes Into Effect Today

At long last, California law will consider the amount of driving, rather than vehicle delay, when evaluating the environmental impacts of new developments. This is a more common-sense approximation of their environmental impacts.

July 1, 2020 - Streetsblog California

Environmental Justice

A Plan for a 'Just Green Recovery'

The Rhodium Group charts a path toward an economic recovery plan that would also achieve social and environmental benefits.

July 1, 2020 - Rhodium Group

Volunteers

Advocates: Equity Lacking in the New Houston Climate Action Plan

Advocates and local residents are expressing concern about a lack of direct support in the Houston Climate Action Plan for underserved neighborhoods that have already experienced some of the worst effects of climate change.

July 1, 2020 - One Breath Partnership

110 Freeway

When Discussing Racist Monuments, Don't Forget Urban Freeways

The racist history of planning in Los Angeles is particularly evident in the way Interstate freeways were planned in the region.

June 30, 2020 - Los Angeles Times

Accesible Mobility

Gaps Remain as Americans With Disabilities Act Approaches its 30th Anniversary

Public transit agencies around the country have made a lot of progress in providing access for people with disabilities, but there is a lot of work left to ensure to the full freedoms of mobility.

June 30, 2020 - The Washington Post

Chicago Extreme Weather

New Study Reveals Massive, Unaccounted Flood Risk

The Federal Emergency Management Agency undercounts the humber of homes at substantial risk of flooding by some 70 percent, according to a report released this week.

June 30, 2020 - The Washington Post

Red Light Camera

Someone Is Stealing Toronto's New Speed Cameras

A pilot program that installed 50 speed cameras near schools in Toronto would only send warnings to scofflaws, but someone is stealing the cameras anyway.

June 30, 2020 - The Globe and Mail

Vinings, Cobb County

Stacey Abrams Leads New Effort to Mobilize Climate Action in the U.S. South

The South has some catching up to do on implementing plans to curb carbon emissions and prepare for climate change, but the region, collectively, has a lot of reasons to do so.

June 29, 2020 - The Washington Post

Thailand

How Cities Are Responding to Automobile Congestion

As economies begin to reopen around the world, some cities are taking action to prevent widespread gridlock.

June 29, 2020 - The New York Times

Concrete Plant

House Democrats Unveil $1.5 Trillion Infrastructure Plan

The $500 billion five-year transportation bill making its way through the House is only part of the package.

June 25, 2020 - Smart Cities Dive

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.