The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Autonomous Vehicles

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Technology Might Not Save Us

In the absence of more enlightened policies, technological change is as likely to increase pollution as to decrease pollution.

January 6 - Michael Lewyn

Charlotte, NC

Understanding North Carolina's Urban-Rural Divide

North Carolina cities are thriving, but rural counties are not experiencing the same level of growth. Still, residents in rural areas say the numbers do not necessarily capture the whole picture.

January 6 - The Courier-Tribune

Southside Chicago

Proposed $20 Billion Chicago Megaproject Gets Reprieve

The 34-acre One Central project still faces opposition, but an extension on a federal loan application could give it a much-needed boost.

January 6 - The Real Deal

cars

Massachusetts Legislators Fear Hidden Gas Tax in Transportation and Climate Initiative

Gov. Charlie Baker (R) supports a multi-state proposal to mitigate tailpipe emissions that would increase gas prices and pay for transit projects in an $18 billion transportation bond. A bill has been introduced to ensure that doesn't happen.

January 6 - The Boston Herald

School Chlidren

2019 Year-End Census Estimate: Slowest Growth in 100 Years

The 12-month period ending July 1, 2019, saw the lowest population growth rate, 0.5 percent, since 1918, reported the U.S. Census Bureau on Monday. Natural increase (births minus deaths) was the lowest in decades. Ten states saw population declines.

January 5 - U.S. Census Bureau


Metro Los Angeles Light Rail

Los Angeles Needs New Funding Sources to Meet Public Transit Ambitions

With an aggressive plan to build out numerous public transit lines in time for the 2028 Olympics, local officials are scrambling to fill funding gaps as prices continue to rise and catch planners and officials by surprise.

January 5 - Los Angeles Times

American Dream Meadowlands

American Dream—The Mall Isn’t Dead, It’s Just Transforming

An indoor ski hill, roller coasters, and a water park are all part of the New Jersey mall that reflects the shift from material consumerism to the consumption of experiences.

January 5 - The New York Times


Amazon Fulfillment Center

When Amazon Brings Both Economic Optimism and Disappointment

A Kentucky town welcomed Amazon’s arrival, but the economic outcomes over the last two decades have been lackluster.

January 5 - The New York Times

Highway Expansion Project Damages Flood Control Systems in Cincinnati

The Ohio Department of Transportation has prioritize the expansion of Interstate 71 in the neighborhood of Madisonville, in Cincinnati, over flood protection for property owners in the city, according to a recent city memo.

January 3 - Cincinnati Business Courier

Dilworth park

Empowering Architects to Reduce Carbon Emissions

Stephanie Carlisle, a principal at Philadelphia architecture firm KieranTimberlake, discusses the need for a toolkit of decarbonization strategies that designers can use for all design efforts, "not just the fancy projects or the unique projects."

January 3 - The Architectural League of New York

Nighttime Skyline

LEDs, Downward Lights Changing the Night in Chicago

The nighttime illumination of Chicago is almost finished with a complete overhaul of its streetlights, producing a dramatic effect in the nighttime environment of the city.

January 3 - Chicago Tribune

Renewable Energy

Global Cost of Transitioning to 100 Percent Renewable Energy: $73 Trillion

A report by researchers from Stanford University says the cost of transitioning the world to entirely renewable energy production would pay for itself in seven years and add a net positive amount of jobs measured in the millions.

January 3 - Yale Environment 360

Public Comment

What the Academic Literature Says About Civic Engagement

A literature review notes three big themes and challenges to emerge from a year's worth of intellectual investigation of civic engagement.

January 2 - Data-Smart City Solutions

Northern California Toll Lane

More Toll Lanes Coming to California Freeways

Solo drivers in the Golden State will have more options to escape traffic congestion on busy freeways – for a price, as transportation agencies increasing decide to convert existing carpool lanes to high-occupancy toll lanes and add new ones.

January 2 - Los Angeles Times

Electric Car Charging Station

Los Angles Considering Electric Vehicle Requirement for Ride-Hailing Vehicles

Ambitious talk from the mayor of Los Angeles.

January 2 - Financial Times via Inside Climate News

Sacramento

Why Is It Taking So Long for California's Population to Reach 40 Million?

It was thought that California's population would reach 40 million two summers ago, but growth continues to slow, setting records. Net migration, which includes domestic and international movement, was negative for the first time since 2010.

January 2 - Los Angeles Times

Golden Colorado Foothills

Keeping Colorado Land from Development Could Cost $5 Million

In Golden, Colorado, residents want to keep a parcel of land as open space, but it could come with a hefty price tag.

January 2 - The Denver Post

Globe Life Park in Arlington

Arlington Greenlights $810 Million Hotel and Convention Center Project

The public-private partnership is a massive expansion of the city’s entertainment district.

January 2 - The Dallas Morning News

Mario M. Cuomo Bridge

$4 Billion Later, the New Tappan Bridge More Crowded Than Ever

Traffic data shows more and more cars and trucks using the new Tappan Zee Bridge in 2019, in what looks like an obvious case of induced demand.

January 2 - Times Herald-Record

Sprawl

Modest Densification, a Strategy to Alleviate the Housing Crisis?

Incremental changes to density on single-family parcels could boost the nation’s housing stock without dramatic impacts at the neighborhood level.

January 2 - Curbed

Post News
Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

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.