The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Uhaul Trucks

The New Housing Crisis: Declining Homeownership, Increasing Rental Costs

Research from the Urban Institute identifies market and demographic trends that could mean a future housing market that will stand in stark contrast to the "subprime mania of the early 2000s."

June 9 - The Wall Street Journal

Shopping Carts

BLOG POST

What is Urban Decay? (And Why the Answer Matters)

The ambiguous definition of 'urban decay' dilutes the argument for requiring this less-well-known environmental study.

June 9 - Reuben Duarte

Is Gentrification on Tap at Philadelphia's Pop-Up Beer Gardens?

Danya Henninger reports on the local controversy over a pop-up beer garden in the Philadelphia neighborhood of Point Breeze.

June 8 - Billy Penn

Questions About Operations of Cincinnati's Streetcar Still Need to Be Answered

The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) has been busy negotiating with bidders regarding the potential operations of the forthcoming Cincinnati streetcar.

June 8 - Cincinnati Business Courier

High-Occupancy Toll Lanes on the Table for I-66 Inside the Beltway

The Virginia Department of Transportation is underway with public outreach on a proposed project to add HOT lanes on 1-66 inside the Beltway.

June 8 - The Washington Post


The Partisan Transit Divide

It's not quite as simple as Republicans opposing transit and Democrats supporting it. It depends what level of government is discussing it. On the local level, demand for better transit can transcend partisan divides.

June 8 - Roll Call

Bus Stop Winter

People Still Want Buses, But Buses Aren't Delivering

Urban light rail has enjoyed a renaissance since the Great Recession, but during the same period cities have quietly reduced bus service. Daniel Hertz argues that while rail is commendable, buses remain a vital transit component.

June 8 - City Observatory City Commentary


Should Young Artists Move to Detroit?

Two University of North Carolina School of the Arts students spend a month investigating the artistic climate of Detroit and whether it's a place where young theater artists should move.

June 8 - Investigate Detroit

Santa Monica

Op-Ed Decries Santa Monica's Airbnb Ban

By exiling short-term renters, the coastal city of Santa Monica shifts its housing burden onto neighboring areas. That burden, according to this op-ed, contradicts the city's sustainability commitment and further limits scarce residential options.

June 8 - Santa Monica Daily Press

The Exorbitant External Costs Caused by the Trucking Industry

A new report from the Congressional Budget Office places the spotlight on the trucking industry in terms of the social, health ,and environmental costs it imposes on society but does not pay for, i.e., externalities.

June 8 - City Observatory City Commentary

McMansion

More McMansions: Upscaling Suburbia

According to this article, the market forces behind large home construction are alive and well. In a process of suburban gentrification, developers purchase older, smaller homes and build "McMansions" in their place.

June 8 - Bloomberg

Delhi Skyline

Confronting India's Urban Disaster

Contrary to popular belief, Beijing's air pollution is not nearly the worst in the world. The air of Delhi, India, is twice as polluted. For expats, this disaster raises important questions: is it ethical to live, and raise children, in India?

June 8 - New York Times

Tour Montparnasse

Architects Defend the World's 'Most Hated' Buildings

Not every building can be a winner, and some buildings that aspired to greatness fall short in public esteem. Yet maybe some of the buildings that world loves to hate deserve a second look.

June 7 - The New York Times

Designs Revealed for 'The Commons' Park in Downtown Minneapolis

A 4.2-acre park to be located next to the future home of the Minnesota Vikings will offer something for everyone. The MinnPost has the latest on the park's design.

June 7 - MinnPost

The States Leading the Adoption of Electric Vehicles

A report from Navigant Research projects the growth of the domestic markets for plug-in electric vehicles. Spoiler: California dominates the list.

June 7 - Route 50

$3 Million for Bike Stations Backs Up SEPTA's Bike Planning Efforts

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) recently released the budget that will back up the components of its first ever bike plan: the SEPTA Cycle-Transit Plan, released in April 2015.

June 7 - Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia

House Approves Cuts to Census and American Community Survey—Senate Up Next

The American Planning Association is keeping tabs on a bill making its way through Congress that would cut funding for the U.S. Census Bureau.

June 7 - APA Policy News

EPA Study: Fracking No Threat to Groundwater

According to a new EPA draft assessment, fracking has not caused pollution of drinking water, though concerns are raised. The report has yet to be reviewed by the Science Advisory Board and is now receiving public comment.

June 6 - NPR

Inner Harbor, Baltimore

Shaking the 'Inner City' Stigma

The recent riots in Baltimore have revived the old stereotype of poor, crime-infested inner cities. Orlando Patterson argues in the New York Times that the truth about inner cities is much more nuanced and hopeful.

June 6 - New York Times

35-Story Wood High Rise Proposed for Paris

The winner of a design competition in Paris, France could push the limit of wood design and construction much, much higher than it's gone before.

June 6 - Inhabitat

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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.