The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
America's Growing Data Divide
The opportunities from data-driven innovations are wide, but many communities experiencing the data divide are without access to or reporting of high-quality data, furthering them from these benefits.
Growth Battles Heating up in Seattle
The growth of Seattle growth is inflaming passions on either side of the issue—some claim that the city wants everyone to "live in cubicles"; others say the city isn't doing enough to prepare for 120,000 expected new residents.
Report Illuminates Weak Efforts to Reduce Carbon Intensity
According to the most recent PricewaterhouseCoopers "Low Carbon Economy Index," the planet's current carbon intensity will see a 7.2 degree Fahrenheit increase by 2050.
Nashville Struggles to Preserve the Historic Icons of Music Row
Outcry over the potential redevelopment of RCA Studio A in Nashville is raising tough questions about the conflicting dynamics of property rights and cultural heritage.
San Francisco Initiative a Setback for Progressive Parking Policy
San Francisco's voters are continuing their trend of deciding complex and difficult planning issues at the ballot box. Last time it was height restrictions—this time it's parking.
Philadelphia City Council Adopts Data-Driven Framework for Planning Decisions
Ashley Hahn reports on Philadelphia's "Community Sustainability Initiative," a data-driven process for evaluating public investments. Questions remain about how the new decision making framework will change planning operations in the city.
New Bill Allows Expanded Bike Racks on California's Transit Buses
Governor Jerry Brown recently signed a law to allow all 40-foot buses throughout the state to increase their bike rack capacity.
Largest TIFIA Loan to P3 Goes to Florida's 'I-4 Ultimate' Project
Transportation Secretary Foxx announced the largest TIFIA loan to be awarded to a public-private partnership will be used to widen 21 miles of Interstate 4 in Florida known as "I-4 Ultimate" by adding four express or toll lanes in the Orlando area.
6 Ways Urban Renewal Misses the Livability Mark
Despite spending millions on urban renewal projects, municipalities often miss a common group of opportunities to make their communities more livable and walkable, according to William Adams, a San Diego-based land use attorney.
Crowdsourced App Finds Playgrounds for All Children
A new application, "Playgrounds for Everyone," has a growing database of 2505 inclusive and accessible playgrounds around the country suitable for children with special needs.
Friday Eye Candy: Behold the 'Emojiopolis'
If you're not familiar with the world of emojis, bravo for holding out against the widely adopted trend. But now that (most) people have adopted pictographs for communication, could the shift in communication produce new kinds of landscapes?
Now Available: Federal Grant Funding for Transit Oriented Development
The FTA has announced new funding (albeit, a small amount) through the "Transit-Oriented Development Planning Pilot Program."
Transit Oriented Development Ordinance in Chicago Saves Space and Money
A recently adopted ordinance allows developers to build significantly fewer parking spaces for projects in proximity to transit stations. Developers have already responded to the advantages offered by the reduced requirements.
The Important Role of Front Porches in Latino Communities
James Rojas explains the importance of front porches in Latino-American communities.
Study: Residents Living Near Fracking Suffer Negative Health Impacts
Self-reported respiratory problems and skin irritations were significantly greater for those living near natural gas fracking wells in southwestern Pennsylvania than those living more than two kilometers away, according to a Yale University survey.
Bus Startup Bridj Hires Gabe Klein as Chief Operations Officer
Gable Klein, former head of transportation for Chicago and Washington D.C., has joined Bridj, a Boston-based startup building dynamically generated bus routes.
Shouldn't Transit Managers Actually Ride Transit?
Eric Jaffe lays out the case for why individuals in charge of transit systems should ride transit, and what problems stem from them not doing so right now.
On the Value of Small Spaces in Remaking the Public Realm
San Francisco Chronicle Architecture Critic John King reviews, and celebrates, the recent string of small projects that reclaim public space in the city, calling them "modest works of true ambition."
Op-Ed: Limit Parking to Limit Driving
Matthew Garbet contributes a guest column to the SaportaReport wherein he debunks the "Tipping Point Theory of Transit"—that cities should continue to support cars until a complete transit system is realized.
Golf Joins Agriculture to Oppose EPA's Proposed 'Water of the United States' Rule
Laura Barron-Lopez reports on the golf industry's reaction to proposed rules that would expand and clarify the regulatory powers of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers.
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County of Mendocino
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The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Montrose County
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
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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.
