The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
New Policy Would Likely Close Commuter Rail Stations on the South Side of Chicago
A new station evaluation policy, expected for adoption by the Metra Board of Directors in May, would make it easier to shut down "underperforming" stations.
The Best Kept—and Dirtiest—Secret About 5G
The infrastructure required to support 5G is going to be massive, and while improvements in throughput sound great, one of the best kept – and dirtiest – secrets about 5G is the energy consumption required to support the network.
'Hybrid' Bus Rapid Transit Design Preferred in Tacoma, Washington
A hybrid design (some protected lanes and some mixing with car traffic) is the preferred option for a planned bus rapid transit route on Pacific Avenue in Tacoma, Washington.
Montreal Plan to Ban Cars From Major Park Doesn't Stick
Following a fatal collision between a motorist and a competitive cyclist, Montreal tried closing a stretch of roadway through Mount Royal Park. The pilot encountered fierce opposition.
Elizabeth's Warren Plan for Public Lands
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) recently published a detailed plan to protect public lands.
New Transit Center Coming to Cincinnati's Northside Neighborhood
The Cincinnati City Council this week approved zoning change to allow for the construction of a transit center at the second busiest bus transit hub in the city.
A Sci-Fi Novel About an Urban Planners and a War Over Gentrification
The Municipalists, a new novel by Seth Fried, will definitely appeal to fiction-reading urban planners.
New Jersey Wants an Exemption from Manhattan Congestion Charge
With cordon pricing coming to Manhattan in 2021, New Jersey motorists who pay up to $15 in bridge or tunnel tolls don't want to have to pay another $10 to $14 to drive into the Central District Business tolling zone, but exemptions come with a price.
Los Angeles May Bar Source-of-Income Housing Discrimination
Officials hope that improving access to housing for people who use voucher programs will help prevent homelessness in the city.
Texas State Legislators Aim to Reduce Their Own Housing Sway
Current Texas law grants state representatives significant power over whether affordable developments receive federal tax credits. Controversially, several representatives have proposed the reduction of their own authority in that regard.
New Population Estimates Released Today; South and West Lead Population Growth
No, they aren't the Mueller report, but the Census Bureau's annual population estimates for counties are always a big deal.
Overnight Light-Rail Service on the Chopping Block Between the Twin Cities
Since 2014, it's been possible to catch a train every hour between 2 am and 4 am on the Green Line connecting Minneapolis and St. Paul. A proposal under consideration at Metro Transit would end late night service,
Civic Crowdfunding to Mitigate 'Bikelash'
Public outcry about the priority given protected bike lanes on streets can be mitigated when civic crowdfunding is part of the planning process, according to this article.
Eminent Domain Concerns Raised Over Missouri's Hyperloop Plans
Critics are pointing to a discrepancy between the plan and the reality in terms of how much private property must be acquired through eminent domain to make the state of Missouri's Hyperloop dreams come true.
The State of Micromobility
The NACTO Bike Share and Micromobility Initiative yesterday published a bunch of data and infographics to explain the state of shared micromobility, defined as station-based bikeshare, dockless bike share, and scooter share.
New Spending, Planning Approved to Address Affordable Housing Crisis in Columbus
Columbus approved an emergency allotment of capital improvement bond funding for housing, and the launch of an affordable housing strategy process.
New Tool Puts Miami Development Opportunities on the Map
There's plenty of vacant or underutilized land to be found in Miami-Dade County, if you know where and how to look.
BLOG POST
Reactions to Ontario's Subway Takeover Plan
Last week, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a plan to replace Toronto's subway expansion plans with a vision of his own. Reactions have been pouring in ever since.
Lincoln Yards Mega-Development Clears Final Legislative Hurdle
A Chicago City Council vote to approve tax increment financing for the massive Lincoln Yards redevelopment proposal scored a surprising reversal and a big win for outgoing Mayor Rahm Emanuel, with an assist from Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot.
Transit Ridership Declined Nationally in 2018, APTA Report Finds
The latest data from the American Public Transportation Association reveals the national consequences of many local examples of declining transit use.
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
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.
