The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Akron Considering the End of Parking Minimums as a Downtown Development Incentive
The Akron City Council will this week decide on legislation that could at it to the roster of cities that have reformed parking requirements.

Los Angeles Hires New 'Homelessness Coordinator'
The new position will keep the city on track in its comprehensive strategy to aid the nearly 40,000 homeless people in Los Angeles.

Urban Farming—Just for the Few?
Urban agriculture likely has more social than material impacts. But who does it benefit most?
Measuring Up to HUD's New Fair Housing Rules
After beefing up the 1968 Fair Housing Act, the feds are guiding cities to compliance.

Growing Cities Starting to See Mixed-Use Development as a Solution
New York City provides a case study in the effort to satisfy growing demand with more mixed-use development.
The New Danger to the Internet: the Internet of Things
The Internet of Things—that network enabled collection of objects designed to make our lives easier through automation and user experience—has created a massive new collections of targets for hackers.
Louisville Provides a Case Study for Sewage Clean Up
The Courier-Journal is launching a series of reports on the city of Louisville's ongoing work to clean up its sewer system.

Getting it Right on U.S Energy Independence
During the second presidential debate Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton claimed that the "U.S. was energy independent." Some in the media, including Politifact, were quick to report that claim as "false." And the news just got worse.

Looking for a Walkable Urban Place for Retirement
Though many retirement communities still look just as they have for many decades—defined by cul-de-sacs and golf courses—many seniors are looking for a more urban lifestyle.

New Orleans Approves Contentious Short-Term Rentals Regulation
Many cities popular with tourists are dealing with the effects of a proliferation of short-term rental properties (brokered through the use of online platforms like Airbnb). New Orleans just took steps to legalize, but limit, short-term rentals.
Kentucky, Land of Blue Grass and Karst?
The architectural firm SCAPE plans new paths through Lexington, Kentucky’s downtown using the city's buried water and karst formations as its key features.
Planned Obsolescence for Denver Parking
Denver developers are building parking that can be converted into housing, anticipating radical changes that autonomous vehicles could bring to city life.
The Most Important Environmental Measure on the Ballot Next Month
If climate change is among the world's most pressing environmental issues, then Initiative 732 in Washington state should be watched by all concerned with the future of the planet. PBS NewsHour explores why the initiative is so controversial.

Lessons in Transit Fares from Toronto's UP Express
Faced with the underwhelming performance of the newly opened UP Express, Toronto transit officials did something drastic: they slashed the cost of a ride.
Bay Area Bike Share Renamed for New Sponsor: An Auto Company
The new, Detroit-based sponsor will help pay for a ten-fold expansion of the Bay Area's regional bike share program coming this spring and a new Palo Alto program. Low income residents will be offered discounted rates to join Bay Area Bike Share.

Looking for Economic Development? Skip the NFL and Go with Lollapalooza
One of the leading skeptics on the economic value of sports and entertainment investments has a caveat: music festivals just might be the ticket.
Residential Infill Regulations Designed to Slow the Advance of McMansions
The city of Portland, Oregon is considering new regulations to limit the kinds of homes that can be built in existing neighborhoods.

Reality Check: The Los Angeles River Can Still Flood
Sometimes it seems like it will never rain again in Los Angeles, but the river running through the city is still a significant flood risk.

Tesla Makes a Self-Driving Splash
Tesla showed off new self-driving technology this week.
Train-sploitation
An interview with a photographer about his unflattering pictures of train riders in Tokyo's crowded subway.
Pagination
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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.