Advocates say lower speed limits save lives and prevent fatal crashes on busy city streets.

A four-year battle to pass legislation that would allow New York City to set its own speed limits could finally come to a head as the bill’s supporters, which include Governor Kathy Hochul, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and state senators, prepare to take the bill back to the state legislature.
Cuba outlines the history of the proposed bill, known as Sammy’s Law in honor of a 12-year-old boy killed by a car near his home, which has faced opposition from state assemblymembers and the New York City Council. Cuba adds that “The bill on the table now would not automatically change the speed limit, but would merely allow the city to do so.”
Road safety advocates strongly support lower speed limits as an effective way to reduce the risk of fatal crashes and protect pedestrians. In New York City, “After the city got permission to lower its speed limits from 30 miles per hour to 25 mph (and 20 mph in school zones) in 2014, there was a 36-percent decline in pedestrian fatalities, advocates said.”
FULL STORY: New Year, New Opportunity to Pass ‘Sammy’s Law’

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.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie