The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

U.S. Capital

Senate Votes 0–57 to Rebuff Green New Deal

Not one Democratic senator, including sponsor Ed Markey (Mass.), voted on Tuesday to support the resolution "recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal." Instead, most, but not all, Democrats voted "present."

March 27 - The Washington Post

Williamsburg Brooklyn

Zoning to Protect Manufacturing in N.Y.C.

Development in industrial areas is pushing out manufacturers, but new zoning regulations could help control the incursion.

March 27 - Next City

The Race to Become the First State to Ban Polystyrene Food Containers

Both Maryland and Hawaii are in a race to become the first state to ban polystyrene food containers and beverage cups. The Maryland bill passed the legislature March 12 and awaits a decision by Republican Gov. Hogan. Too early to tell on Hawaii.

March 26 - The Baltimore Sun

Rural Traffic

Replacing Diesel-Powered Trucks With Natural Gas, Hybrid, and Battery Power

The U.S. Department of Energy, in partnership with the California Energy Commission and the South Coast Air Quality Management District, awarded $18 million to nine companies and universities to advance natural gas technology for trucks.

March 26 - Climatewire

Hurricane Harvey Houston

Black Towns Face Threats From Flooding and Buyouts

Many of the historic towns would disappear if flood buyout programs force residents to relocate.

March 26 - Scalawag


California 241 Toll Road

Finger-Pointing Around Outreach Campaign for Southern California Toll Road

To sway public opinion, the Orange County toll road agency hired a group of consultants. Critics say the cost and service delivered aren’t acceptable.

March 26 - Los Angeles Times

Vancouver Skyline

Effectiveness of Vancouver Affordable Housing Program Questioned

With prices listed at $1,600 a month for a studio, $2,800 for a two-bedroom and $3,700 for a three-bedroom, officials in Vancouver, British Columbia are wondering whether the Rent 100 program is achieving its intended goals.

March 26 - The Star Vancouver


Planning Commission in World's Fair office, 1958

Seattle Exhibit Grapples With Redlining Past and Present

A creative exhibit highlights how redlining and racist exclusion persist today.

March 26 - Curbed Seattle

2011 Master Plan for the Central Delaware Cut Philadelphia's Waterfront Short

Waterfront views and large parcels of vacant land should be a good urban revitalization in a growing city like Philadelphia, but the Central Delaware waterfront has fallen short of expectations.

March 26 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Alexandria, Virginia

Ridership Down for Northern Virginia Public Transit

Metrorail has seen ridership improve in Northern Virginia, but not enough to balance out the losses to bus ridership.

March 26 - Inside NOVA

Commute

Opinion: Even the Green New Deal Repeats the Same Old Sprawling Mistakes

With infrastructure and housing prices in the national discussion more than ever before, the federal government still doesn't seem ready to really change its ways.

March 26 - Route Fifty

New York Traffic

Breaking News: New York State Ready to Embrace Congestion Pricing, Finally

The New York State Legislature is preparing to reverse over a decade of reluctance regarding congestion pricing, according to reports from Albany.

March 26 - The New York Times

Route 495 New Jersey

When Traffic Solutions Cause Travel Delays

The poles on Route 495 separate out a bus lane, but riders often find themselves traveling slower than vehicles in the car lanes.

March 25 - NJ.com

Oakland skyline and San Francisco Bay

The Many Ongoing Public Transportation Projects of the Bay Area

The San Francisco Chronicle offers a round-up of 11 big transit projects, by Caltrans, BART, SFMTA, and others, making progress around the bay.

March 25 - San Francisco Chronicle

On-Demand Shuttle Pilot Operating in Los Angeles

The LAnow on-demand shuttle began operation earlier this month.

March 25 - Mass Transit

Jackson Park Chicago

Obama Presidential Center Still Facing Controversies

The project will bring money and visitors to Chicago’s South Side, but the community wants more assurances that the future of residents will be a priority.

March 25 - Next City

CRRC train

Congress Intends to Ban Chinese Rail Cars

The U.S. is an expensive place to build transit resources. A move from Congress to ban Chinese rail cars over espionage fears may exacerbate that problem.

March 25 - Governing

Condos Smart Growth

Study: Housing Crisis Stems from Inequality (Not Zoning)

A new paper examines the impacts of broad economic trends—like inequality, job markets, and migration—on housing markets in the nation's major metropolitan areas.

March 25 - The Planning Report

Valley Metro

Phoenix City Council Shifts Voter-Approved Light Rail Project Funding to Roads

Locally generated sales tax revenue will no longer fund a planned light rail extension in west Phoenix.

March 25 - Arizona Republic

Detroit, Michigan

New Additions Coming to the Detroit Skyline

A $310 million project in Midtown Detroit continues the development momentum of Detroit's urban core.

March 25 - Crain's Detroit Business

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Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.

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.