The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Burning Man

There Goes the Neighborhood: Oh No, Not Burning Man!

Ben Brown unpacks the components of polarization. Recognizing some people are really pissed off for some really good reasons doesn’t seem to help us make better decisions, whether we’re talking about electing a president or planning a park.

September 27 - PlaceShakers

Car Production Line

In Brooklyn's Navy Yard, a New Manufacturing Incubator

New Lab repurposes a gritty shipbuilding warehouse, giving manufacturing startups the support that software firms get from your typical incubator.

September 27 - Curbed

Charlottesville, Virginia

Form Based Codes: Nashville Provides a Model for Charlottesville's Process

As Charlottesville, Virginia considers a new form-based code, the city of Nashville offers explanations and examples of the concept in action.

September 26 - Charlottesville Tomorrow

Freeway Interchange

A Generational Challenge: Ending the Age of the Automobile

An author and educator calls on a new generation of Americans to challenge the status quo and overcome the limitations and impacts of the country's existing infrastructure.

September 26 - The Boston Globe

Rent

Rent Control Gains Support in Oregon

A recent poll has found growing support for a repeal of the statewide ban on rent control in Oregon.

September 26 - Portland Tribune


President Obama

The Obama Administration Releases a Pro-Development Playbook

A new paper released by the White House offers a toolkit of economic evidence and policy recommendations designed to help cities overcome local opposition to development.

September 26 - Politico

LED Lights

If LEDs Are Bad for Our Health, What Should Cities Do Now?

A report from the American Medical Association says LED lights are bad for our health, inspiring some cities to re-evaluate the technology.

September 26 - The Washington Post


The Battle Against McMansions Continues in Burbank

With a two-year Interim Development Control Ordinance set to expire in March 2017, Burbank, California is working on new design guidelines for single-family homes.

September 26 - The Burbank Leader

Nashville

Middle Tennessee Adopts $6 Billion Regional Transit Plan

Middle Tennessee expects 1 million new people to move to the region by 2040. The new nMotion plan, adopted late last week, proposes a regional transit system to accommodate the region's future.

September 26 - The Tennessean

Little Free Library

101 Small Actions With Big Effects in Cities

The Curbed team has compiled a laundry list of creative and effective ways for people to give some love to their cities.

September 26 - Curbed

Chevy Bolt

How Detroit Beat the Silicon Valley to the Breakthrough Electric Vehicle

It costs less than $40,000 and gets over 200 miles to a charge. The Tesla Model 3? Yes, and also the Chevy Bolt, which goes to market first. A New York Times technology columnist writes that 'size matters' when it comes to innovation.

September 26 - The New York Times - Technology

Pedestrian-Oriented Development Needs More Auto Parking

The new development near University of North Carolina Chapel Hill was called the 'Bicycle Apartments.' Students would bike or walk to campus so a parking reduction was granted. The apartments have been rebranded LUX — now a parking shortage exists.

September 26 - Indy Week

New York State Capitol

Corruption Charges Sully Economic Development Scheme in Upstate New York

Though he was elected while promising to clean up corruption in the state government, recent corruption charges are hitting New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's inner circle.

September 25 - Politico New York

Golden Gate

Everything You Wanted to Know but Were Afraid to Ask About Prop. 13

A new report from the California Legislative Analyst's Office demystifies the highly consequential and controversial property tax limit enacted by Proposition 13.

September 25 - California Legislative Analyst's Office

Uber Taxi

Uber's Demand Curve Is a Breakthrough for Users and Economists

Uber users are getting massive amounts of value from the service, according to a new analysis only possible in the post-transportation network company era.

September 25 - The Wall Street Journal

Bay Area City Rejects Crude-by-Rail Terminal, Could Set Precedent

Crude-by-rail opponents are hoping that Benicia's rejection of a proposed rail terminal for a Valero refinery will set a precedent: it was enabled by a U.S. Surface Transportation Board decision allowing the city to have the final word.

September 25 - San Francisco Chronicle

Amtrak Pennsylvanian

The Huge Cost of Improving Amtrak's Pennsylvanian Even a Little

This is Amtrak between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia: It could cost $13 billion to speed up the tip by 30 minutes, and $16 million to add just one more train.

September 25 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

memphis Bus

Memphis Bus Riders Union Scoring Victories

Streetsblog USA has been keeping close tabs on the bus system in Memphis, recently noticing signs of progress from the local transit agency, MATA.

September 24 - Streetsblog USA

Aerial views during an Army search and rescue mission show damage from Hurricane Sandy to the New Jersey coast, Oct. 30, 2012.

How to Manage Retreat in the Face of Sea-Level Rise and Nuisance Floods

"Strategic retreat" as a response to rising sea levels isn't an easy sell, but a new report endeavors to make the idea more palatable.

September 24 - Regional Plan Association

New York Parking

Op-Ed: Parking Concerns Can't Outweigh Affordable Housing

Recent development controversies in New York City inspired one writer to set some priorities.

September 24 - The New York Times

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.