The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
New home construction falls to lowest rate since April 2020
Housing starts dropped to an annual rate of 1.17 million in May, the lowest number since April 2020.
NYC's Flatiron Building lights up for the first time as it undergoes transformation to apartments
The 1902 skyscraper, one of the world's earliest, is being retrofitted as luxury homes.
Sound Transit says train to Ballard is still coming
Agency officials say reports of the line's demise are exaggerated and that it remains in its plans.
Cool Routes app plots shady walks in arid Arizona
Alternate routes provided by the app reduced the heat experienced during the walk by an average of 4.5 degrees.
Bike use in London grew by 43% since 2019, but car use remains roughly the same
The city's efforts to reduce car use have stalled despite ambitious programs like congestion pricing and low-traffic neighborhoods.
Trump's DC 'beautification' efforts threaten historic skate spots
The city is taking more aggressive measures to prevent skateboarders from using unsanctioned public spaces.
Asheville reconsiders parking minimums as surface parking eats up over a third of downtown real estate
Housing advocates say parking requirements are unnecessary and induce sprawl.
FEATURE
Fisticuffs: The argument AGAINST fare-free transit
If a terrible bus becomes free, will it truly free you?
Amtrak opens border preclearance facility for travelers entering US from Vancouver
The first-of-its-kind facility streamlines the border crossing experience, eliminating long waits.
BART approves 2027 budget with no cuts, banking on November ballot measure for new funding
The Bay Area transit agency hopes to move forward without service cuts or fare increases.
Home prices in the EU rose 53% since 2015, threatening 'right to adequate housing'
More Europeans face homelessness as housing costs soar.
Wellesley sues state over proposed housing on state-owned parking lot
The college town opposes a 180-unit development that it says creates too much density for the area.
NYC plans to route trucks through more neighborhoods as safety efforts stall
90% of freight enters New York City by big rig.
BLOG POST
The "vicious cycle of real estate mania" — and how we might find our way home
Book review: In "The Lost and the Found: A True Story of Homelessness, Found Family, and Second Chances," Kevin Fagan humanizes the housing crisis like never before.
Seattle bans data centers for a year
The city council approved the measure after five 'mystery' projects raised concerns among residents and city leaders.
San Francisco's dissolved bike committee holds its last meeting
The bicycle advisory committee has been advocating for safer streets for over 35 years.
HUD suspends federal funds for LA homelessness agency
HUD is freezing LA's access to Continuum of Care funds after allegations of fraud at the county's homelessness agency.
Airbnb investing millions to loosen rules ahead of World Cup
US cities hosting World Cup games all have regulations on short-term rentals, but none have created new rules to limit speculation and displacement during the World Cup.
Minneapolis council proposes permitting framework for robotaxis
City leaders say they don't want to be left behind as Waymo and other companies eye the city for the expansion of self-driving fleets.
Boston extends successful fare-free bus pilot
The program began in 2021 and expanded later to include lines 28, 23 and 29.
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
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.
