One of the most hopeful days for public transit in New York City in...well, a year.

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) reported its highest total daily ridership of the pandemic on Friday, March 12, with 1,863,962 paid trips, breaking the previous pandemic record of 1,857,822 trips on October 15. "The bus system, too, saw a spike of approximately 1.13 million additional daily trips recorded Friday, bringing trips taken systemwide to just under 3 million for the day," reports Diane Pham.
The MTA still hasn't reopened overnight service, which it closed for overnight cleaning, in a highly controversial decision, in May 2020, and ridership is still well below pre-pandemic norms. But the recent ridership improvements, coupled with news about $6.5 billion in direct funding support on the way from the federal government, are offering some long-awaited notes of optimism for transit in the nation's most populous city.
According to Pham, the MTA is spending the interim months and weeks providing support for vaccination services, recently releasing a new map that includes vaccination sites among other actions.
FULL STORY: Subway ridership sees highest single-day figure since start of pandemic

The Slow Death of Ride Sharing
From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.

Cool Walkability Planning
Shadeways (covered sidewalks) and pedways (enclosed, climate controlled walkways) can provide comfortable walkability in hot climates. The Cool Walkshed Index can help plan these facilities.

Congestion Pricing Could Be Coming to L.A.
The infamously car-centric city is weighing a proposed congestion pricing pilot program to reduce traffic and encourage public transit use.

As Business Districts Continue to Falter, Mixed-Use Neighborhoods Flourish
While office vacancies remain high and foot traffic sparse in many U.S. downtowns, areas with housing and businesses are more vibrant and desirable than ever.

Los Angeles County's 30x30 Strategy Earns National Recognition
L.A. County's Parks Needs Assessment Plus (PNA+) received a 2023 achievement award from the National Association of Counties (NACo).

Albuquerque Poised to Legalize Accessory Dwelling Units
Allowing ADU construction on parcels previously zoned exclusively for single-family detached housing is one component of the Housing Forward ABQ initiative, a larger effort to reform zoning practices in Albuquerque.
Caltrans
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
City of Orange
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Montrose County
Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department
City of Lomita
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.