The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Albany Not so Warm to Crude-By-Rail After All

The Port of Albany is thriving as a major hub for CBR shipments from the Bakken field in North Dakota and Saskatchewan province. But we learn there are limits to further growth after the city slapped a moratorium on expansion to oil sands from Canada

March 17 - Climate Progress

Toronto Asks Its 'Hidden Experts' How to Improve Transit

Laura Kane listens to the ideas of three of Toronto’s ‘hidden’ transit experts – those who have spent their careers on it's front-lines. A streetcar driver, repair worker, and a transit app developer share their pragmatic insights.

March 17 - The Toronto Star

Ça c'est Paris

High Pollutions Levels in an Unexpected City

We've come to expect hight air pollution levels in Beijing and other Asian cities with high traffic levels and surrounded by dirty coal plants, but not in cities using emission-free nuclear energy and lots of bikes and mass transit. So why Paris?

March 17 - The New York Times - Europe

Minority Groups Left Out of Housing Recovery

The same minority groups hit hardest by the housing bust are benefiting least during recovery.

March 17 - MetroTrends Blog

New Report Examines Higher Social Cost of Carbon

In the "Cost of Carbon Pollution" report, the Environmental Defense Fund, New York University's Institute for Policy Integrity, and the Natural Resources Defense Council claim the Obama Administration underscored the social cost of carbon pollution.

March 17 - Huffington Post


LA Ciclavia

Can L.A.’s Streets Be Great? Deputy Mayor Rick Cole Opines

Los Angeles Deputy Mayor for Budget and Innovation Rick Cole shares his views on the critical ingredients necessary for the city to improve its thoroughfares at a Urban Land Institute-Los Angeles’ panel discussion titled "Can LA’s Streets Be Great?"

March 16 - The Planning Report

County Fairgrounds Provide Overnight Parking for Homeless

The city of Santa Rosa, California, has “cut against the trend” by implementing a safe parking program at the county fairgrounds lot. What has your surface parking lot done for you lately?

March 16 - Los Angeles Times


Urban Youths to Save Future of Farming in America

A successful agriculture program in Southern California introduces farming as a viable career choice to suburban students.

March 16 - Public Radio International

Oil Trains from North Dakota to the Rescue in Philadelphia

The hazards of shipping North Dakotan crude-by-rail have been well documented and are the focus of new DOT regulations due to its volatility, but there's a more positive side to this oil and the trains that deliver it, illustrated in Philadelphia.

March 16 - NPR Morning Edition

Light Rail Extension Requires State Support in Virginia Beach

In a recent speech, Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms announced that Virginia Governor Terry McAullife and Transportation Secretary Aubrey Layne have pledged financial support for a $1.3 billion light rail extension.

March 16 - The Virginian-Pilot

Evacuated Highway 401

This is Awkward—Highway Widening Projects Based on Obsolete Projections

Several highway-widening projects on the East Coast were approved under the pretense of expected growth in traffic totals. Now planners are scrambling to figure out the new normal.

March 15 - Philadelphia Inquirer

What Does it Take to Be New York City’s Next 'It' Market?

“Underpriced land and room for upward growth in rents is the magic formula that developers seek in the next hot neighborhood.” Just to the east of prospect Park in Brooklyn is a place that has both.

March 15 - New York Times (Real Estate)

drinking fountain

Silicon Valley Cities Drought-Proofing Water Supply with 'Direct Potable Reuse'

Recycled wastewater, or "direct potable reuse," proved successful in Orange County, and following the driest year on record in California, more cities are looking to implement water purification facilities.

March 15 - San Jose Inside

Cleveland, Ohio

'Brain Drain' Surprise: Cleveland vs. Chicago

Comparing the demographic changes of Cleveland and Chicago, the results might surprise you: “Cleveland (Cuyahoga County) is experiencing brain gain. Chicago (Cook County) has brain drain.”

March 15 - Pacific Standard

Trump Golf Courses Seek Environmental Certification

Donald Trump has committed to working with the environmental nonprofit Audubon International to improve the environmental practices on the 20 Trump Golf courses around the world.

March 15 - Environmental Leader

Infrastructure

Why Does Infrastructure Cost So Dang Much?

When it comes to infrastructure projects, “we're not just a bit behind the curve — we're ridiculously, embarrassingly behind the curve,” according to a recent article by Ryan Cooper.

March 14 - The Week

harbor and Bay Bridge

Dirty Politics in San Francisco’s Height Restrictions Initiative

The city of San Francisco will vote on Prop. B, an ordinance that would limit the height of developments along the waterfront, in June. The ballot will list the campaign manager for the Yes on B campaign as the official opponent of the measure.

March 14 - SFGate

Public Meeting

Community Surveys: Key Lessons for Planners

The concept of surveying residents to get their take on a development may seem like a simple idea, but it is no easy task. Planner Clement Lau shares key lessons learned about conducting and creating surveys as part of the planning process.

March 14 - Los Angeles UrbDeZine

Keys to a Successful Land Bank

Philadelphia recently became the largest U.S. city to create a “land bank.” As new land banks spring up across the country, it is important to take a close look at what needs to accompany them if we want to have real impact.

March 14 - Urban Direction

Pop Quiz: What's the Difference Between Aerobic Decomposition and Anaerobic Digestion?

Yes, one is with and the other without oxygen, and both divert waste from the landfill—but in terms of the end products, what is the advantage of anaerobic digestion? Simply put, does society face a shortage of compost or renewable energy?

March 14 - NPR Morning Edition

Post News

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.

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.