The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Boulder’s new plan could allow for 40% more housing through ‘gentle infill’
Exactly how much housing is allowed under the new plan will depend on zoning decisions and market conditions.
Louisiana gets state’s first self-driving bus
Eventually, 15 autonomous buses will serve Shreveport, Louisiana.
California implements strict new landscaping rules for residents in fire-prone areas
The new rules ban plants within one foot of homes and do not allow landowners to attach wooden fences to their homes.
Buyers of NYC’s paved-over historic Black cemetery face strict legal restrictions
The removal of human bodies is heavily regulated in New York City, and can only be done by an archaeologist.
New NYC ‘sponge’ medians will absorb 5 million gallons of stormwater per year
The project will turn three medians in Queens into green infrastructure designed to absorb stormwater.
Phoenix cuts transit fares for low-income riders, tables fare-free days
The city council tabled discussions of four free transit days until it could do more research on the economic impact.
Trains keep blocking roads in Texas like crazy. $756 million in new funding aims to fix that
Over the last five years, the Federal Railroad Administration has received 150 reports of trains blocking one of the sites slated for a project.
SpaceX to build its largest-ever, $100 billion spaceport in Louisiana
The Louisiana Economic Development agency expects the project to create 3,000 direct jobs.
Atlanta Beltline’s free automated shuttle expands service
A $1.75 million grant funded the autonomous shuttle service’s growth.
Courts order EPA to release billions in climate grants
The grants primarily funded projects aimed at Black, low-income and disadvantaged communities.
$138 billion Texas transportation plan to prioritize “Clear Lanes” congestion relief, highway construction
The plan includes $95 billion for transportation projects using existing state and federal revenue sources and $45 billion for project development and maintenance.
Tennessee advances $9.2 billion toll lane expansion project
The lanes will run along 26 miles of interstate, and toll prices will fluctuate depending on demand.
Massachusetts judge slaps HUD with restraining order over Fair Housing changes
HUD’s changes included asking applicants how their award would advance the Administration’s priorities on “gender ideology,” “faith-based activities” and immigration.
LA needs $2 billion in Olympic Games transportation funding by Sept. 1, officials say
Congresspeople who serve the Los Angeles area met on Aug. 26 to urge the Trump administration to speed up funding.
San Fernando Valley commits $2.34 billion to first light rail phase
The contract funds utility relocation, pre-construction work, and tracks and stations along Van Nuys Boulevard.
FEATURE
The new Texas law declawing NIMBYs
State lawmakers gutted an old Jim Crow-era state law that required a city council supermajority to approve a new housing development if neighbors petitioned the proposal.
Trump to allow infrastructure along highways, railways in bid to bypass reviews
By building lines close to existing infrastructure, Trump aims to lower costs and bypass environmental oversight and opposition from local communities.
Over half of NYC luxury second properties may be exempt from pied-à-terre tax
Complicated laws around buildings owned by LLCs are making it difficult for NYC officials to determine which buildings can be taxed.
EPA to kill law requiring states to inform the public about new data centers
Over 200 advocacy groups and a dozen states have voiced opposition to this change.
Feds want to stop notifying landowners about drilling under their land
The proposal also asks to reduce the public comment period for the BLM’s leasing decisions from 90 days to 10.
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.
