Elections have consequences, and a new, younger City Council in Raleigh is ready to implement progressive planning and land use reforms.

"Raleigh leaders took the first step toward changing the rules that developers have to follow to address housing affordability," reports Anna Johnson.
The rules—still in the early stages on the way to approval as several new City Council members push for reform of land use and development regulations in the city—focus on several key ideas to ease development and reduce costs for all kinds of development, not just housing.
Downtown Parking Requirements
"If a developer wants to build a commercial project in downtown Raleigh, the city has required a parking space for every 500 square feet. City leaders have taken the first step to remove that requirement," reports Johnson.
Missing Middle Housing
Following in the footsteps of Minneapolis, the Raleigh City Council decided to explore the idea of adding "cottage courts" in areas zoned R-2 and R-4. Councilmember David Cox was the lone vote against the study, writing a blog post after the vote that lamented the city's move "toward ending single family zoning." Cox also expressed negative feelings about the new makeup of the City Council after the election in October.
Building Heights
"The council also voted to remove the height cap for buildings seven stories and above," reports Johnson. "The city’s code had limits for height and stories for buildings, and removing the height cap will result in better buildings being built throughout Raleigh..."
FULL STORY: Raleigh leaders promised to change the rules for housing affordability. It’s starting.

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service