The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Distant view of brown oil pump jack in a flat desert with cloudy blue sky.

High Ozone Levels Threaten New Mexico Oil Town

The small community of Loving, New Mexico has higher ozone levels than dense cities like Los Angeles.

August 22 - KUNM

Asphalt road with Bears Ears National Monument rock formations in background.

Utah Sues Over Public Lands Access

State leaders say they want to open 18.5 million acres of unappropriated federal lands to recreation, conservation, and extractive uses.

August 22 - Axios

Rendering of redeveloped public square in Denton, Texas with new pedestrian and public infrastructure and historic courthouse in background.

North Texas Town Launches Downtown Revitalization Plan

The Design Downtown Denton plan takes aim at improving walkability and highlighting the city’s historic assets.

August 22 - Denton Record-Chronicle

White prison transport bus passing in front of heavily fortified prison fence with barbed wire.

Podcast: How the Housing Crisis Impacts People With Criminal Records

People with criminal convictions are 10 times as likely to become homeless as others. Small policy shifts could change that.

August 22 - Next City

Low close-up of yellow flowers and pedestrians walking on New York City's High Line linear park.

BLOG POST

Pedestrian-Friendly Cities: The Impact of Walkability Grants

Explore how walkability grants are transforming cities into pedestrian-friendly environments, enhancing urban livability, boosting local economies, and improving public health.

August 22 - Devin Partida


Image of cars driving on multi-lane road with graphics indicating the vehicles are communicating with each other.

Federal Plan Outlines Deployment of ‘Vehicle-to-Everything’ Tech

The technology known as V2X could prevent crashes and save lives by allowing vehicles to communicate with each other and road infrastructure.

August 22 - NPR

Small ADU in backyard.

FEATURE

ADUs as Condos: What Does it Mean for Homeownership?

A California law that allows the sale of ADUs as condos may soon make homeownership more attainable.

August 22 - Jessica Brown


Worker trims tall palm tree.

Planning for the End-of-Life of Urban Trees

Many of California’s 6 million urban trees are reaching the end of their lives. Arborists in Long Beach are turning them into useful lumber.

August 21 - Governing

Commercial street in downtown Boulder, Colorado.

Boulder Could Eliminate Parking Requirements Citywide

A new study found that half of the city’s commercial parking spaces are usually empty.

August 21 - Boulder Reporting Lab

Woman in green sweater wearing light blue medical mask sitting on bus looking at her phone.

BLOG POST

Valuing Ounces of Prevention

Planning decisions often involve trade-offs between short-term prevention costs and larger future savings and benefits. Planners can help communities determine what best reflects their priorities.

August 21 - Todd Litman

Flooding

Texas Adopts Statewide Flood Plan

The plan outlines thousands of suggestions for mitigating flood risk, which pose a threat in all of the state’s planning regions.

August 21 - Panola Watchman

Interstate 94 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Environmental Groups Sue to Stop Freeway Expansion

Groups including the Sierra Club say the expansion of I-94 would negatively impact communities of color and increase flood risks.

August 21 - Fox 6 Milwaukee

Close-up on the bottom half of people sitting in a hospital waiting room.

Maryland Assistance Program Links Housing and Healthcare

The state will begin funding an existing program that targets the healthcare needs of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

August 21 - Route Fifty

Green Peter Pan intercity bus parked at station in Hartford, Connecticut.

Northeast Corridor Megabus Routes to be Served by Peter Pan Bus Lines

The operator is taking over intercity routes in the Northeast after Megabus owner Coach USA’s June bankruptcy.

August 21 - Source of the Spring

Interior of large parking garage full of cars.

New Survey Shows Support for Unbundled Parking

Parking reform advocates say separating the cost of parking from rent can promote more sustainable transportation choices and reduce driving.

August 20 - Streetsblog USA

Rendering of automated people mover on elevated track at Los Angeles International Airport at nighttime with iconic light columns.

LA City Council Approves Extra Funding for LAX People Mover

The automated electric rail system is expected to carry up to 30 million passengers per year to points in and around the Los Angeles International Airport.

August 20 - Westside Current

Group of five people standing in a wetland park smiling at the camera during a cleanup event.

Building a Greener Future: Youth Leadership in Climate Action

The L.A. County Youth Climate Commission empowers young voices to influence sustainable policies, prioritizing environmental justice and addressing top issues like cleaner air, green spaces, and green buildings.

August 20 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

Aerial view of sprawling Las Vegas suburbs at golden hour with desert mountain in background.

Las Vegas Faces Opportunity to Stop Sprawl

Having sprawled for the past few decades, the Las Vegas region is bumping up against undevelopable federal lands. Those limits give it the chance to consider a denser, more urban future.

August 20 - California Planning & Development Report

Chicago elevated train leaving a platform.

Chicago Commute Times Could Double Without New Transit Funding

A dire warning from regional transit leaders paints a bleak scenario for traffic if agencies are forced to cut service.

August 20 - Chicago Sun-Times

Back view of group of six children and one adult walking down school hallway.

BLOG POST

The Role of Schools in Fostering Vibrant and Inclusive Communities

Discover how schools play a crucial role in community development by fostering inclusivity, enhancing local engagement, and serving as hubs for social and cultural activities.

August 20 - Devin Partida

Post News
Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

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.

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.