Advocates and politicians are mustering ideas and support for new tree ordinances that line up with the city's climate goals.

Advocates are pushing for better tree protection practices in the city of Seattle.
According to an article by Amy Radil, the city's complaint-based system is often too late to save trees, Advocate Carolyn Rodenberg, of 150 Trees and Me, says "We need to get it to where we're protecting the trees while they're still standing."
A prominent example of the failure of the city's current protection scheme came when a group of homeowners cut own trees to improve their views. The homeowners ended up paying an $800,000 fine for removing the trees, but the trees are gone.
Rodenberg's group is pushing the city to combine its climate goals with any potential tree ordinance the city might approve in the future. Meanwhile, the city lacks any practices to track trees or to enforce compliance from private landowners. Nearby suburbs, however, can provide the city of Seattle with models for better tracking and enforcing tree regulations.
FULL STORY: Seattle needs more trees. But who's counting?

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont