The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

San Francisco Apartments

Enforcing Housing Discrimination Laws Falls Largely on Tenants, Nonprofits

With few enforcement mechanisms even in cities that have bans on source-of-income discrimination on the books, it’s up to nonprofit lawyers and tenants to sue landlords for retribution.

May 31 - Next City

Blue and white Interstate 15 North sign against backdrop of blue sky and snow-capped mountains in Utah

Utah DOT Plans to Expand Interstate Despite Local Concerns

With more evidence pointing to the futility of expanding freeways, the state could take a creative approach to improving travel times and providing additional transportation options.

May 31 - The Salt Lake Tribune

Looking up at giant sequoias in Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park at sunrise with sun's rays coming through trees

BLOG POST

Public Lands in the United States, Part One: “Redeemed From Wilderness”

This is part one in a blog series examining the history of public lands in the United States and their shifting role in the American psyche.

May 31 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up of lead water pipe with mineral crusts

An Equity Approach to Lead Pipe Replacement

A former Chicago health commissioner calls on governments to prioritize the most marginalized and historically disinvested communities when distributing funding to replace lead pipes, which have taken the highest toll on the health of disadvantaged c

May 31 - Governing

View of wetlands in South Carolina at sunrise or sunset

Supreme Court Limits Clean Water Act’s Power

A recent ruling ‘dramatically’ restricts the law’s reach when it comes to protecting wetlands.

May 31 - Politico


Benches along lit paved bike trail adjacent to freeway overpass in Albany, New York

Albany Freeway Ramp Reimagined as Park, Trail

An underused freeway exit ramp is now an inviting linear park that connects the city to the Hudson River.

May 31 - Public Square

Traffic on the 405 interstate freeway through the Sepulveda Pass at Getty Center Drive in Los Angeles, California

Congestion Pricing Could Be Coming to L.A.

The infamously car-centric city is weighing a proposed congestion pricing pilot program to reduce traffic and encourage public transit use.

May 30 - Los Angeles Times


Red, grey, and blue Tesla cars on the back of a truck trailer in Burlingame, California

Key Points From the Tesla Data Leak

Thousands of leaked safety complaints about the electric carmaker reveal a pervasive effort to hide problems from the public and prevent customers from filing lawsuits.

May 30 - Los Angeles Times

Nighttime view of U.S. Capitol and blurred traffic on Pennsylvania Avenue

D.C. Residents Fight Light Pollution

New LED lighting has raised concerns about the health and environmental impacts of excessive or harsh lighting.

May 30 - Route Fifty

Downtown Dallas

Vacant Lot Development Could Bring 100,000 New Housing Units to Dallas

Building on the roughly 76 million square feet of vacant land already zoned for multifamily housing could create badly needed rental housing units and slow the growth of rent prices.

May 30 - RentCafé

Houston Texas

Houston’s Future Hinges on Regional Cooperation

A movement to change how the regional planning council operates could give the city of Houston more power in decisionmaking.

May 30 - Urban Edge

Outdoor dining patio built next to a restaurant in Chicago

Chicago Mayor Proposes Permanent Outdoor Dining Program

The mayor’s proposal would create permanent rules for restaurants wanting to continue using their Covid-era outdoor dining setups or build new ones.

May 30 - Block Club Chicago

Aerial view of Atlanta BeltLine paved bike trail surrounded by green trees

Trees Beautify Segment of Atlanta’s BeltLine

A local nonprofit planted 500 trees along a previously unimpressive segment of the bike and walking trail, creating an ‘instant forest’ effect.

May 30 - Urbanize Atlanta

Line of 18-wheeler trucks on a highway in Tennessee

Biden's Truck Pollution Rule Hanging by a Thread

Four House Democrats joined all but one Republican to enact the Congressional Review Act to roll back President Biden's rule on heavy truck pollution approved by the EPA last December. The Senate had earlier narrowly passed the joint resolution.

May 30 - The Hill

Bellevue, Washington skyline against mountains

Bellevue Issues Curb Management Plan

The plan reorients the city’s priorities from vehicle throughput and parking to transit, bike infrastructure, and other public amenities.

May 29 - The Urbanist

Small grey accessory dwelling unit cottage in California backyard

California Sees Spike in ADU Permits

Homeowners in the state are eagerly taking advantage of new laws allowing them to build additional housing units, making a small but significant impact on the housing supply.

May 29 - The Washington Post

Four people playing pickleball on outdoor court

Can Pickleball Save Dying Malls?

The popular sport is getting backlash for taking over parks and other facilities. Now, the industry is partnering with mall developers to transform old department stores into pickleball courts.

May 29 - ABC 7 NY

Yellow school corssing sign with two human figures against blurry background

New York Cuts Almost 500 Open School Crossing Guard Jobs

The vacant positions were cut as part of an effort to trim the NYPD’s budget, but intersections near schools are already some of the city’s most dangerous for pedestrians.

May 29 - StreetsBlog NYC

REndering of two-story white supportive housing building converted from a former hmotel

Orange County Motel Converted to Supportive Housing

The renovated building offers 57 housing units and supportive services to people formerly experiencing homelessness.

May 28 - The Orange County Register

View of Colorado River from top of Hoover Dam with concrete column on left

The New Colorado River Deal: An Explainer

According to one analyst, the agreement approved by the states doesn’t go nearly far enough to protect the river in the long term.

May 28 - The Land Desk

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