The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
New Secretary Confirmed at the U.S. Department of the Interior
The politics of the Department of the Interior under the Trump administration aren't likely to change, but new Secretary David Bernhardt is distinguishable from his predecessor thanks to a long history of oil industry lobbying.
Comprehensive Building Code Update Approved in Chicago
Chicago's new building code is hailed as a major achievement for the city, labor unions, and the construction and development industries in the city.
Budget Overruns Put the Brakes on Seattle's Bicycle Master Plan
After initial projects funded by the 2015 Move Seattle levy came in well over budget, the city of Seattle will now have extra pressure to choose impactful projects while reducing the scope of its Bicycle Master Plan.
More Evidence that Decline and Concentrated Poverty Define the Urban Experience
Concern about gentrification in urban areas has dominated the urbanism discussion for more than a decade now, at the expense of a more informed understanding of urban dynamics and the potential for more effective action.
How to Design and Plan to Address the Root Causes of Gender Inequality
Gender equality has never played such a prominent role in the design of public and urban spaces. The world needs more than superficial, reactionary measures to address the long history of public space as the physical realm of patriarchy.
Details of St. Paul Riverfront Plans Emerge
A plan to remake the St. Paul riverfront, and potentially revitalize the downtown office market, took its first steps forward this week.
Affordable Single-Family Rental Housing Supply Needs a Boost
The supply gap is hitting lower-income families especially hard, a new study shows.
Time to Delink Homeownership from Asset Building
Using homeownership as an asset-building mechanism and retirement plan might not be a great thing for our society.
New York City to Reduce Truck Emissions by Investing in Freight Rail Infrastructure
The Big Apple may claim the nation's highest public transit ridership, but it ranks well below average in its use of freight rail. Two small short line railroads are at the center of a $100 million investment to reduce truck reliance.
Green New Deal Needs to Push for Better Transit Policies
The plan points to transit’s role in a cleaner and more sustainable future, but comprehensive changes in transportation policy are also needed.
Bus/Bike Lanes Find Support in Chicago
A temporary bus/bike lane experiment could lead to permanent additions around the city.
More of the Same From Ohio's Post-Gas Tax Funding Decisions
Just days after the state approved a significant increase on its gas tax, and the state legislature is focusing much more on road projects than public transit.
Oregon Could Be Next to Legalize the Idaho Stop
The Oregon State Legislature is moving forward with Senate Bill 998, which includes an amendment that would legalize the practice of rolling through stop signs and blinking red lights on a bike when no car traffic is present.
New Housing Construction Drops 41 Percent in San Francisco
Building permits aren't the same thing as new buildings, as San Francisco proved once again in 2018.
Historic Drought Plan Approved by Congress
The Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan will head to President Trump's desk for an expected signature before heading back to seven states for final ratification.
Facebook AI Maps Population Density
Facebook expects to release its worldwide maps of human density in the coming months—potential applications will likely be somewhere on the spectrum between humanitarian and commercial.
Rather Than Banning Cars, Amsterdam Reduces On-Street Parking
Amsterdam will pursue the Oslo model of targeting parking spots, rather than driving bans, to make for a walk-and-bike friendly city. On-street parking spaces will gradually be replaced, starting July 1, with bike lanes, sidewalks, and trees.
Provincial Takeover of Subway Planning in Toronto Underway
Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a new plan for subway expansion in Toronto today.
Bay Area Transportation Planners Breathing Easier After Court Ruling
A total of $4.5 billion in road and transit projects was at stake in a state taxpayer group's lawsuit against a regional ballot measure approved by voters in June 2018.
Interactive Mapping Tool Illustrates the Impact of California's Big Housing Bill
University of California, Berkeley researchers have mapped the impact of SB 50, a bill that would allow new density around train stations and bus stops in cities all over the state of California.
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.
