The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Los Angeles

Californians Vote to Maintain Roads and Transit by Rejecting Gas Tax Repeal

In potentially the most important transportation ballot measure in the state since 1990, the last time residents voted on the gas tax, Californians were deciding whether to repeal fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees approved last year.

November 9 - Los Angeles Times

Autonomous Vehicle

San Jose Launching a Self-Driving Car Program in 2019

The city of San Jose in California's Silicon Valley is familiar with self-driving cars on the road, but this is its first partnership with self-driving car companies.

November 9 - The Mercury News

Accessory Dwelling Unit

Granny Flats Take on the Los Angeles Homelessness Crisis

A program financed by Bloomberg Philanthropies will pay homeowners to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and rent them to the recently homeless.

November 9 - The New York Times

Indego

Philly's Indego Bike Share Goes Electric

Bike share riders in Philadelphia will have the option of trying something a little zippier.

November 9 - PlanPhilly

Dupont Station, Toronto

Toronto Mayor Wants a 'Transit Czar'

Toronto Mayor John Tory knows the city's residents take transit seriously, so he's appointing a new position: transit czar.

November 9 - CBC


For Rent

Rent Control Rejected in California, But the Debate Is Far From Over

An opinion piece in CityLab reiterates the body of research showing evidence that rent control is not an effective tool in reducing housing costs.

November 9 - CityLab

South Carolina

Seeking Mixed-Income Housing Developers in Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina is concerned about the lack of affordable housing in its city, potentially making it difficult for fire fighters, teachers, and more to afford to live in the community.

November 9 - WIS News


New Orleans

Inclusionary Zoning Under Consideration in New Orleans

The New Orleans City Planning Commission recently released a report recommending three "potentially mandatory" inclusionary zoning initiatives. The city is working against a deadline from the governor.

November 9 - Gambit

Atlanta

Transit Oriented Development Spreads to the Suburbs

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is working on mixed-use development plans for a location near Kensington Station, in DeKalb County.

November 9 - SaportaReport

Subway Tunnel

MTA Testing its Broken Signals

The Save Safe Seconds program is testing the beleaguered subway system's signal timers.

November 9 - New York Daily News

Seattle, Washington

BLOG POST

When Amazon Happens to Good Cities

After the news broke that Amazon was reportedly going to split its HQ2 plans between New York City and Washington, D.C., some cities are left console themselves. A Planetizen opinion piece picks up the pieces.

November 8 - James Brasuell

Louisiana Shoreline

'Rock Pillows' the Latest Tool to Fight Coastal Erosion

The state of Louisiana is deploying giant 'pillows' of crushed rock to slow coastal erosion.

November 8 - The Times-Picayune

Homelessness

San Francisco's Voter-Approved Tax to Aid the Homeless Could Face Litigation

In California, 60 percent of a public vote isn't usually enough to approve a new tax.

November 8 - Associated Press

Bus Rapid Transit

The HealthLine's Impact on Cleveland

The bus rapid transit route known as the HealthLine has been in operation in Cleveland for ten years, with a measurably positive impact on the city, measured in development investment.

November 8 - The Plain Dealer

Los Angeles

CDBG Funds Not Useful Focus for Zoning Reform

Linking zoning reform mandates to CDBG funding is not an effective way to change exclusionary zoning.

November 8 - Brookings

Atlanta

Skyline Redefining Mega-Project Approved in Atlanta

The city of Atlanta has approved its largest development project since the 1960s.

November 8 - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

New York

Google Planning Massive Expansion in New York City

Google's plan to add 12,000 new workers in the city of New York is the second tech company bonanza for the city this week.

November 8 - The Wall Street Journal

Rural California Road

Rural Communities Connected Through Grassroots Mobility Services

California residents throughout the Central Valley struggle with inadequate transportation. Shuttle and ride-share programs are filling in the gaps.

November 8 - The Fresno Bee

Solar and Wind Energy

Mixed Results on Renewable Energy Initiatives

Two western states had very similar renewable energy initiatives on the ballot sponsored by NextGen America requiring utilities to get 50 percent of electricity by 2030. It passed in Nevada but was rejected in Arizona.

November 8 - The Arizona Republic

New York Bus

Report: Congestion Pricing Could Speed Bus Trips

Advocates say New York's plan traffic management plan could raise $1.5 billion while saving express bus commuters hours per week.

November 8 - Streetsblog New York City

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