The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

High view of Chicago train on elevated rail in downtown with reflective glass building on left and brick building on right.

Chicago Transit: $770M Shortfall, 40% Service Cuts Loom

Despite dire warnings from transit officials, the Illinois General Assembly ended its legislative session without a solution.

June 3 - Smart Cities Dive

Farm workers in long sleeves and hats working in a green field in Nipomo, California with small hills in background.

Without International Immigrants, the Rural US Population Would Be Falling 58%

Census data shows that population growth in rural areas is due in large part to international migrants.

June 2 - The Daily Yonder

Aerial view of Lake Shore Drive, eight-lane highway adjacent to lakeshore in Chicago, Illinois with city skyline in background at sunset.

Dead End: Nine Highways Ready for Retirement

The Freeways Without Futures report describes the nation’s most promising highway removal proposals.

June 2 - Congress For New Urbanism

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

FEATURE

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2 - Robbie Silver

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2 - The Hill


Tall red brick public housing building in New York City surrounded by shorter apartment buildings.

Trump's “Able Bodied” Public Housing Limits Could Displace Over 300,000 New Yorkers

As part of 43% cut to federal rental assistance, Trump is proposing a two-year limit on public housing tenure for “able bodied adults.”

June 2 - The City

A curb extension at the end of a block landscaped with small shrubs and pink flowers in residential neighborhood.

Nine Ways to Use Curb Space That Aren’t Parking

California’s new daylighting law bans parking within 20 feet of crosswalks. How can cities best use this space?

June 1 - CalBike


White accessory dwelling unit in backyard of small grey home in Seattle, Washington.

ADUs for Sale? San Diego Could Legalize Backyard Condos

As one of 25 proposed amendments, San Diego may soon allow accessory dwelling units to be bought and sold as individual homes.

June 1 - KPBS

View of mostly full parking lot next to multi-story red brick buildings with modern glass skyscraper in background in downtown Dallas, Texas.

Dallas Ditches Parking Minimums in 14-1 Vote

The sweeping city council decision removes set parking requirements from developments downtown, near transit, small businesses and more.

June 1 - Strong Towns

Rendering of protected bike lanes painted green in downtown Cleveland, Ohio with people and cars.

Downtown Cleveland Gets First Ever Protected Bike Lanes

The $200,000 “quick build” lanes are the first of 50 planned miles over five years.

June 1 - ideastream

Aerial view of Bend, Oregon.

Bend, Deschutes County Move to Restrict Major Homeless Encampment

City and county officials are closing off portions of an area known as Juniper Ridge where many unhoused residents find shelter, hoping to direct people to housing and supportive services.

May 30 - The Bulletin

Metro rail station in Mariachi Plaza with colorful glass pavilion in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California.

High Housing Costs Driving Down Transit Ridership in LA

When neighborhoods gentrify and displace lower-income residents, transit ridership suffers, new research shows.

May 30 - CALmatters

Des Moines, Iowa skyline viewed from a plaza with two flags on either side at dusk.

Iowa Legalizes Accessory Dwelling Units

A new law will allow property owners to build ADUs on single-family lots starting on July 1.

May 30 - Smart Cities Dive

Manhattan skyline seen from Brooklyn, New York City with brick apartment buildings in foreground.

NYC Council Approves Brooklyn Rezoning Plan

The Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use Plan includes infrastructure investments and could bring 4,600 new housing units to parts of Brooklyn.

May 30 - BK Reader

Aerial view of homes and businesses destroyed by Altadena wildfire.

Tenant Advocates: Rent Gouging Rampant After LA Wildfires

The Rent Brigade says it's found evidence of thousands of likely instances of rent gouging. In some cases, the landlords accused of exploiting the fires had made campaign donations to those responsible for enforcement.

May 29 - Shelterforce Magazine

View of downtown Seattle with construction cranes and cloudy sky as seen from top of Space Needle.

Seattle’s Upzoning Plan is Ambitious, Light on Details

The city passed a ‘bare-bones’ framework to comply with state housing laws that paves the way for more middle housing, but the debate over how and where to build is just getting started.

May 29 - The Urbanist

Woman and man in orange safety vests and hard hats doing surveying work at road construction site.

DOJ Seeks to End USDOT Affirmative Action Program

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program encouraged contracting with minority- and women-owned businesses in the transportation sector, where these groups are vastly underrepresented.

May 29 - The Washington Post

Aerial view of Springfield, Missouri small town USA.

A Missouri Tenant Union’s Fight Against Millennia Housing

In Springfield, Missouri, senior and disabled tenants at one Millennia affordable housing building say they’ve gone about a year without a working elevator, but their organizing has gotten the city to threaten receivership if it's not fixed soon.

May 29 - Shelterforce Magazine

Chicago Transit

Time Running Out for Illinois Transit Bill

Chicago-area transit agencies face a daunting budget gap if lawmakers fail to agree on a funding bill by the end of the current legislative session.

May 29 - Streetsblog Chicago

Cyclist rides in protected bike lane in Jacksonville, Florida.

Jacksonville Adding New Bike Racks

The city will add dozens of new bike racks over the coming months to prevent bike theft and reduce sidewalk clutter.

May 29 - WOKV

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