The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Kotkin on Cities: What the Hipsters Want is Not What the People Want
Joel Kotkin checks in with a dissenting take on the politics and demographics behind the urban revival.
Olmsted Alive! 'Emerald Necklace' Plan Proposed for Los Angeles
Inspired by a park system proposal by Frederick Law Olmsted from 1930 to build a network of parks and open space throughout the city, a coalition of advocates is reviving the idea of connecting people and parks throughout Los Angeles.
Gentrification Creeps North of Boston
Naomi Kooker tells of the rapidly increasing pace of gentrification in the once gritty, now expensive, Boston suburb of Somerville.
Lean Urbanism: A Century-Old Practice?
A short case study in Lean Urbanism, compliments of Victoria Beach, Manitoba.
First 'Chief Resilience Officer' Begins Term in Oakland
Victoria Salinas was recently named Oakland, California's first Chief Resilience Officer (CRO), a position popping up in municipalities throughout the world.
Sating Food Deserts with Frequent Transit Networks
According to Jarrett Walker, one solution to alleviating food deserts is by providing residents access to frequent transportation networks.
California to Cap Incomes Eligible for Electric Vehicle Rebates
A bill will attempt to bring some equity to the flagrantly inequitable rebate program that subsidizes purchases of Electric Vehicles. Additional subsidies would be directed to low income families. Rebates could also be used for car share and transit.
'Future Ground' Competition Focusing on New Orleans Land Reuse Strategies
Spearheaded by the Van Alen Institute, and supported by the New Orleans Redevelopment Agency, the competition brings new life to some of the 30,000 vacant lots and abandoned structures left over from Hurricane Katrina throughout the city.
'Dire' Budget Shortfall at the New York City Housing Authority
Faced with shrinking federal spending on affordable housing and a strained housing market, the New York City Housing Authority is dealing with a massive budget shortfall and a massive wait list.
The Starchitect Debate Continues: Locatecture, Public Art, and Branding
James S. Russell, architecture and design critic, pitches his two cents into the starchitect debate, arguing for locatecture and sensitivity to place.
More Questions than Answers for the Silver Spring Transit Center
Bill Turque catches up on the progress of the "$120 million concrete albatross" that is the Silver Spring Transit Center.
Micro-Housing Debate Continues in Seattle
The "D" word (Density) is in play in Seattle, as city leaders and residents debate micro-housing regulations proposed by the City Council in May.
Protestors Gather after Budget Cuts Eliminate Omaha's Bike/Ped Planner
Despite the protestations of local advocacy groups, councilmembers, and the former director of planning, Mayor Jean Stothert is moving a head with a budget proposal that would eliminate Omaha's only planner dedicated to bike and pedestrian plans.
Can Chicago's Tech Boom Benefit the South Side?
With tech businesses setting up shop in Chicago's Loop, what it will take to attract companies out to neighborhoods like Garfield Park and Englewood?
Anatomy of a Complete Streets Controversy: Los Angeles Edition
Advocates for a more multi-modal lifestyle in Los Angeles have achieved tremendous successes in the last decade. But ongoing bike lane controversies shows there's still a long way to go.
San Francisco's Housing Craze: More People Fewer Cars
Something strange is taking place in the City by the Bay. It's not just experiencing a growth in carless households—carless households are actually replacing those with cars.
Open Today: Light Rail Connection to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
Called the "biggest accomplishment" in DART's 31-year history, city leaders are hoping the new airport connection brings more international cachet along with tourists, conventions, and investments in downtown.
Bike Infrastructure Study: Bigger Investments Return Bigger Payoff
You get what you pay for, goes the old saying, and a new study out of New Zealand makes the case that when it comes investing in bike infrastructure, it's best to invest in quality.
Ferguson Conflict Provides Lessons in Suburban Poverty
A post by Brookings explains how the racial tensions and violent clashes between police and protestors in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson are a symptom of common contemporary archetype: the impoverished suburb.
Traffic Safety Requires a 'Psychological Speed Limit'
New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed a bill this month reducing the speed limit in New York City. But what will it take to get people to actually slow down, especially when speeding is an acceptable social norm?
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
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.
