An analysis of areas designated as "low traffic neighborhoods" shows a decrease in vehicle ownership rates, a promising sign for the traffic-choked metropolis.

Inspired by the Netherlands' famously bike-friendly urban infrastructure, London's Mini-Hollands program funded Dutch-style improvements in three outer London boroughs. With London consistently ranking in the top ten most congested cities in the world, city leaders hope to emulate their continental neighbors and reduce the need for private cars in and around the city.
The program introduces traffic calming interventions, sometimes removing vehicle traffic from neighborhoods altogether. It also promotes improved bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure that encourages active transportation and keeps residents safe. The goal of the initiative is to encourage a shift from cars to bikes for short trips and reduce vehicle travel within neighborhoods.
A recent analysis of vehicle registration data examined whether the interventions had a measurable effect on vehicle ownership in London's outer boroughs. The findings show that car ownership fell at much higher rates in the areas designated as "low traffic neighborhoods" or LTNs, with vehicle ownership continuing to decline as the program went on. Other active transportation improvements had a smaller effect on vehicle ownership, but areas that received them still reduced their car ownership at higher-than-average rates. The study's conclusions indicate that LTN interventions contribute significantly to a mode shift away from private cars.

Planning for Congestion Relief
The third and final installment of Planetizen's examination of the role of the planning profession in both perpetuating and solving traffic congestion.

Minneapolis Housing Plan a Success—Not for the Reason You Think
Housing advocates praise the city’s move to eliminate single-family zoning by legalizing triplexes on single-family lots, but that isn’t why housing construction is growing.

‘Mega-Landlords’ Threaten Housing Stability for Renters
As institutional investors buy up a larger share of single-family homes, the families renting them are increasingly vulnerable to rent increases and eviction.

Zoning Stands in the Way of Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is cheap as ever, but zoning isn’t keeping up with the market.

Mixed Use Could Lower Neighborhood Crime Rates
New research shows areas with a heavy concentration of commercial offices experience 40 percent higher crime rates than neighborhoods that mix residential and commercial uses.

Denver E-Bike Rebate Program Proves Wildly Popular
The city is temporarily pausing applications after the program ran out of funds less than a month after the city announced it.
City & Borough of Juneau
City & Borough of Juneau
DMR Architects
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Redwood City
City of Rohnert Park
City of Hot Springs
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.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.