The Trump administration attempted to impose new restrictions on federal grants aimed at eliminating DEI programs and aligning with the administration’s immigration policy.
A U.S. District Judge placed a temporary block on the Trump administration’s new constraints on federal transportation and housing grants as a result of a lawsuit by eight cities and counties.
According to an article by Ella Lee in The Hill, the new restrictions include “efforts to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion policies; facilitate mass deportations; and make information about lawful abortions less accessible.”
The judge’s order applies to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration and bars them from enforcing the new conditions or withholding funding for 14 days. “Boston, New York City, San Francisco, California’s Santa Clara County and Washington state’s Pierce and Snohomish counties sued over changes to homelessness services grants. Washington state’s King County, which includes Seattle, sued over the homelessness grant condition changes and mass transit funding.”
Read the full story: Federal judge blocks new Trump conditions for mass transit, homelessness grants
USDOT Eliminates Environmental, Equity Considerations
A new memo rescinds Biden-era regulations that prioritized renewable energy, accessibility, and equity for historically disadvantaged communities.
USDOT Blocks Federal Funding for Traffic Cameras
Applicants to the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program will not be allowed to use funds for automated traffic enforcement.
Judge Halts Trump Order Tying State Transportation Grants to Immigration Actions
Ruling applies to Colorado, which was among 20 plaintiff states.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Chicago Avenue bridge construction delays enrages city leaders
The bridge has been closed since 2025. The city originally aimed to re-open it in December, and now expects to finish construction in 2027.
NYC bus network redesign speeds up Queens buses
Rush routes have seen a 4.6% speed increase after the redesign.
California High-Speed Rail Authority picks trainset manufacturer
The California High-Speed Rail Authority aims to start servicing passengers by 2033.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority