Some lucky people could be flying over traffic in autonomous drones within two years, according to a media blitz this morning.
"Uber is releasing new information about Uber Air, an ambitious plan to launch a fleet of autonomous flying taxis in two years," reports CBS This Morning got the first look this morning at Uber's plans for a fleet of autonomous flying taxis called Uber Air. CBS Morning News also posted its on-air news story, including a preview video of Uber Air, on its YouTube page. Spoiler alert: CBS wastes very little time before presenting flying drones as a congestion solution.
The media blitz for Uber Air also hit other mainstream media sites, like CNBC, and tech-focused sites like engadget and TechCrunch.
Uber is putting on an event in Los Angeles called Uber Elevate to promote Uber Air today. Christopher Hawthorne, former Los Angeles Time architecture critic and current Los Angeles chief design officer, was in attendance and sent this dispatch on Twitter.
At @Skirball_LA for #uberelevate summit. Two days on the brave new world of air taxis, aka VTOLs (for Vertical Takeoff and Landing), which are likely to have significant implications for urban design.
— Christopher Hawthorne (@HawthorneCDOLA) May 8, 2018
FULL STORY: Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi on flying taxis, the future and taking over a company in crisis

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.

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.

Commentary: Our Silence Will Not Protect Us
Keeping our heads down and our language inoffensive is not the right response to the times we’re in. Solidarity and courage is.
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)