The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Pedestrian Safety Suffers in Low-Income Areas

Focusing on street safety conditions in Miami as a case study of larger findings, a Governing magazine analysis finds that pedestrians are much more likely to be killed by cars in impoverished neighborhoods.

August 5 - Governing

Checking-in with the Proliferation of Innovation Districts

A look at where innovation districts have caught on, and where to expect more of this type of concerted cooperation between public and private entities and commercial and residential land uses.

August 5 - Brookings Institution

Poor Planning Decisions Exacerbate Wildfires—Should Locals be Held Accountable?

A new study by the union of Concerned Scientists faults local development policies that place homes in wildfire-prone areas for the increasing cost of wildfires. Should local agencies split the bill for the risks they've permitted?

August 5 - KUOW

New York City's Crowdsourced Street Safety Map

As part of the Vision Zero initiative for traffic safety, the city has hosted a map system that allowed citizens to report safety issues encountered on the street. With the reporting period now over, you can still peruse the findings of the exercise.

August 5 - StreetsBlog NYC

FLV California train

California High Speed Rail: Federal Aid Not Required

That was the message from Gov. Jerry Brown after a state appeals court unlocked a lower court's hold on $9.95 billion of state bond funds for the $68 billion project. He exchanged words with HSR opponent House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

August 5 - The Wall Street Journal


A Call for New York City to Put Skin in the Bike Share Game

Despite the recent deal that will bring a large capital infusion and expansion of the Citi Bike system in New York City, Sarah Goodyear sees a program on the brink. Can the city help ensure its success?

August 5 - Next City

The Uneven Successes of Minnesota's 60-Mile Root River Bike Trail

The Root River Trail has fallen short of the "economic savior" status some were hoping from it, but it has also exceeded expectations in some towns along the route.

August 5 - Minneapolis Post


Inequality Deepening in U.S. Metros of all Sizes and Locations

A recent post by Richard Florida, working in partnership with the Martin Prosperity Institute, examines where (and how much) income inequality grew in U.S. metros between 2006 and 2012.

August 5 - CityLab

Vancouver Street Scene

BLOG POST

Mission Accomplished? Not Yet

Even if today's renters and homebuyers are more likely to want urban life and walkable neighborhoods than their parents, plenty of political obstacles stand in their way.

August 5 - Michael Lewyn

Housing Crunch Comes to Appalachia

Housing shortages are news in San Francisco and North Dakota, even if for different reasons. But parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania are facing the tough policy questions from their own, less documented fracking boom.

August 5 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

San Antonio Christmas

Why 'Place' Is the New American Dream

The new American Dream will transform cities and towns in the 21st Century. To understand it, we have to grasp a few features of the previous American Dream.

August 5 - Better Cities & Towns

'National Stop on Red Week'

The National Coalition for Safer Roads "is partnering with organizations and communities across the country to raise awareness about the dangers of red-light running during National Stop on Red Week."

August 4 - National Coalition for Safer Roads

Construction Blocking Sidewalks in Booming Downtown Los Angeles

The construction boom in Downtown Los Angeles has had the unintended, and largely unregulated, consequence of closing access to sidewalks. The practice might be illegal under federal law.

August 4 - Los Angeles Times

San Antonio Streetcar Plans at Risk

San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor is calling for a "pause" on the city's proposed streetcar. Meanwhile a charter amendment from project opponents could be headed to the ballot and a county judge has called for the project to be put on hold.

August 4 - My San Antonio

Active Transit Projects 2013

Comparing Transit Ridership

Data journalism site FiveThirtyEight wades into the complex world of transit ridership data, looking for insights into which cities make use of robust transit systems, and which still have work to do.

August 4 - Five Thirty Eight

Lukewarm Architectural Review for New Silver Line Stations

Although the D.C. Metro's new Silver Line stations in Northern Virginia are designed for functional rather than high aesthetic ideals, Philip Kennicott's review for the Washington Post focuses on the benefit of the line to the region.

August 4 - The Washington Post

Downtown Oklahoma City

The Fastest Growing Cities are Affordable Cities

Although Americans are moving less, many of those that have migrated recently have decamped to inland cities where they can afford the cost of housing, according to an article by Shaila Dewan.

August 4 - New York Times

Study Identifies Chicago's 'Transit Deserts'

A new report challenges assumptions about Chicago's transit system, identifying well-populated neighborhoods that are cut off from frequent transit service.

August 4 - Chicago Tribune

Aspen

BLOG POST

Does the Aspen Ideas Festival Offer Compelling Ideas for Improving City Life?

The Aspen Ideas Festival didn't offer much that was particularly compelling, but it had its moments.

August 4 - Dean Saitta

Oakland skyline and San Francisco Bay

BLOG POST

Time to Look at Oakland

While Oakland is by no means an easy place to develop real estate, the often maligned East Bay city of over 400,000 residents may very well be the Bay Area’s best place to embrace much-needed development.

August 4 - Reuben Duarte

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.