The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Disneyland's Autopia finally goes electric (sort of)
Today, the 'futuristic' ride still spews out gas fumes. Disney says it is testing new electric prototypes.
After San Francisco installed traffic cameras, speeding dropped by 80%
The city was allowed to install speed cameras as part of a five-year pilot program approved by California in 2023.
Almost 40% of LA fire survivors face a housing crisis
Many Angelenos who lost their homes in the Altadena and Pacific Palisades fires have already run out of temporary housing funds.
Report: Expanding MTA Fair Fares subway program would benefit New Yorkers more than free buses
A report from the city's Citizens Budget Commission recommends subsidizing fares for more low-income subway riders rather than making buses free for everyone.
New federal insurance law could kill US passenger rail within weeks
Passenger rail agencies will be required to acquire roughly $400 million in excess liability insurance.
FEATURE
Above the tracks: China's unique model for transit-oriented development
How China builds neighborhoods above its metro depots.
Thousands of new homes are replacing Orange County's dead malls
Southern California cities are adjusting their zoning codes to support mixed-use and residential developments that are replacing dying shopping malls.
SoCal's Metrolink to continue 'temporary' service cuts
The commuter rail agency faces a $15 million budget shortfall and could see diminished contributions from its two top funders.
Arizona emerges as national leader in wildlife crossings
Arizona has been building bridges to prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions at various hotspots throughout the state.
Green blocks are up to 4 degrees cooler than treeless streets
The difference in temperature created by urban trees can translate to as much as 40% less excess heat.
In a twist, Baltimore residents ask for less parking
A grocery store developer is asking to build more off-street parking than the city's new regulations allow, as well as 6 curbside spots that would replace an existing bus lane.
BLOG POST
April must-reads: Top 10 articles from last month
The world's longest car-free bridge opens in Finland, Amtrak's new Mardi Gras line shatters ridership predictions, and Bay Area commuters could lose a third of Caltrain stations.
Belgian 'urban village' delivers social housing with style
A neighborhood 25 years in the making blends Flemish vernacular architecture with walkability and affordability.
Church-to-housing trend grows in Southern California
Many faith leaders are eager to support housing construction on church land.
San Diego wants to limit upzoning law to just 16% of transit-adjacent parcels
The city's planning director says some areas are unfit for immediate upzoning due to a lack of resources or hazards such as wildfire risk.
Study: Midblock pedestrian crossings are more common than we think
One in six crossings in the study took place outside of a marked crosswalk.
Saratoga Springs bike advocates say city is ignoring its Complete Streets plan
Despite a commitment to improving its multimodal infrastructure, the city has no plans to install bike lanes or curb cuts as part of repaving projects on two streets.
Waymo's troubles with emergency vehicles are getting worse
In one case, first responders waited 53 minutes to reach a Waymo support representative during an emergency.
California lifts ban on heavy-duty autonomous vehicles
AV manufacturers can begin testing self-driving vehicles weighing over 10,001 pounds on California roads.
Amtrak may loosen its rules on bringing guns on board
A proposed rule change could allow passengers to bring weapons onto all trains, rather than just the few long-haul lines that allow them currently.
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.
