The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Japan High Speed Rail

That D.C.-Baltimore Maglev Concept: An Update

Maglev high-speed rail, financed (partially) by Japan, is still under consideration for the stretch between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. It would take a princely sum to build.

February 1 - Greater Greater Washington

Flint

1,700 Flint Residents Sue U.S. EPA for $722 Million in Damages

Flint residents are suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for damages caused by exposure to lead in the city's drinking supply.

February 1 - The Detroit News

Burnsville, Minnesota

BLOG POST

New Urbanism Emerged in Response to Sprawl, but Does it Really Offer an Alternative?

Daniel Trudeau guest blogs about a recent article in the Journal of Planning Education and Research.

February 1 - JPER

Seattle Brick Loft

Research: Gentrification Follows Falling Crime

It isn't exactly a surprising correlation: gentrification and decreases in crime. This research finds that falling crime often precedes gentrification, not the other way around.

February 1 - The New York Times

Low Water Ohio River

According to Report, Ohio Needs More Public Transit Funding

Public transit around the state of Ohio gets about 1 percent of its funding from the state government, but that's not enough according to a report from Policy Matters.

February 1 - The Cleveland Plain Dealer


Ybor City

Tampa Neighborhood Bans Truck Traffic, Eyes a Balanced Future

As heavy truck traffic is removed from the streets of Tampa's Ybor City, efforts to return the area to its place as one of West Florida's most vibrant urban neighborhoods receive a major boost.

February 1 - Modern Cities

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao

Elaine Chao Confirmed as U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary

Elaine Chao, who served eight years as labor secretary under President George W. Bush, was confirmed on Jan. 31 as the Secretary of Transportation, on a 93-6 vote.

February 1 - USA Today


Place Dauphine in Paris

The Trifecta: Urbanism, Architecture, and Nature

Susan Henderson shares some thoughts about the alignment of issues contributing to well-being in cities.

February 1 - PlaceShakers

Tenants' Rights

How to Empower Renters

Renters who care about neighborhood issues have avenues for creating change, but they need to be savy about getting their message across.

January 31 - Strong Towns

Police

Using Data to Curb Pedestrian Fatalities and Slow Profiling

Chicago Department of Transportation Chief, Gabe Klein, suggests that crash hot spots should guide efforts to make streets safer.

January 31 - The Chicago Reader

BART Train

California Transport Bill Doesn't Support Public Transit as Much as it Could

California State Senators, Ben Allen and Scott Wiener, say California transportation funding bills don't spend enough of their budget on public transit.

January 31 - The Sacramento Bee

Boyle Heights

A Community Planning Process—Even a Good One—Is Not Enough

Simply inviting residents to participate in design charrettes or a community planning process does not mitigate the significant loss they feel as they witness the physical destruction of their homes and lived history.

January 31 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Community Meeting

Tech Solutions to Planning’s Participation Problems

Santa Monica is testing out a 'Tinder-like' application for approving or disapproving of developments.

January 31 - The Guardian

Denver

Denver Area Public Transit Ridership Dips in Favor of Car Commuting

The Downtown Commuter Survey saw an uptick in 'drive alones' among commuters who work in the city.

January 31 - 5280

Kansas City Bridge

The Other $1 Trillion Infrastructure Plan

President Trump is not the only one proposing a huge infrastructure plan—Senate Democrats have their own. The cost is the same, but financing is different. The Democrats' plan does just what Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell warned against.

January 31 - The Hill

Montgomery County BRT Could Change Life for Commuters Around D.C.

Montgomery County has been considering a Bus Rapid Transit System for close to a decade, a study released this year details the improvements the system promises to bring.

January 31 - Greater Greater Washington

Ottawa Moving Ahead with Second Part of its Light Rail Plan

A new tunnel moving east under the Sir John A. Parkway gets approval from National Capital Commission.

January 31 - Metro News

Blue City

FEATURE

White Paper: Bringing Online Learning Into the Planning Classroom

A pilot program in Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo's City and Regional Planning Department explored the potential for an online video course platform to enrich and extend curriculum.

January 31 - William Riggs

Chicago

Signs Coordinating Public Transit Organizations Could Save Chicago Money

Daniel Kay Hertz argues that, besides improving service, a little signage could save the city of Chicago billions of dollars in service expansion costs.

January 30 - Chicago Magazine

Jefferson City, Missouri

Missouri Tax Reform Package Targets Housing and Preservation Tax Credits

Republicans in Missouri want to reduce taxes for corporations, so they are reducing tax credits for affordable housing, infrastructure, and historic preservation.

January 30 - St. Louis Public Radio

Post News

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.

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.