The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

EPA Causes Massive Spill, Discoloring a Colorado River

The Environmental Protection Agency finds itself in a peculiar place. Normally it investigates spills caused by the private sector. Now it's cleaning up a massive spill it caused while investigating a leak at an abandoned mine in southwest Colorado.

August 10 - The New York Times - U.S.

City Hall

BLOG POST

Better City-Making Means Breaking Down Silos—Here's How

How can city hall leaders break down silos between departments and disciplines, and get to a more holistic approach to city-making? It takes more than just organizational restructuring—it takes real culture change. Here's how.

August 10 - Brent Toderian

Oakland Architecture in Music Video

The Significance of Architecture in Music Videos

What can be learned from music videos about popular culture's relationship to architecture?

August 10 - ArchDaily

Litigation of Boise Anti-Camping Ordinance Could Have National Implications

A lawsuit in Boise could decide the future of one policy response to homelessness—making it illegal to sleep in public.

August 10 - Los Angeles Times

Wheelchair Curb Cut

25 Years of the Americans With Disabilities Act

Twenty-five years have passed since the United States approved a civil rights law with broad and positive affect on the build environment as we've come to know it.

August 10 - Curbed


On the Role of University Presses in the Urbanism Conversation

After enjoying a strong run of prominence and success, the new economy is taking its toll on university presses.

August 10 - Next City

Desert Road

Restoring the First Cross Country Interstate in the Southern States*

Partly absorbed by 1-10 and party given over the ravages of time—the Old Spanish Trail was the first to highway to connect the East Coast to the West Coast through the southern states.

August 9 - Atlas Obscura


Los Angeles River

Frank Gehry Hired to Plan the Los Angeles River—Controversy Ensues

Details are scarce—but reports are that Frank Gehry has been working behind the scenes to create a new vision for the Los Angeles River.

August 9 - Los Angeles Times

Seattle's 'Oh So Human' Hesitations About Change

Seattle's recent Housing and Livability Agenda (HALA) recommendations have created a sensational dialogue about zoning, affordability and neighborhood change. Chuck Wolfe explains how this may create an unprecedented basis for consensus in the city.

August 9 - Crosscut

Sutter Street from above

Who Should Pay for Congestion in Booming San Francisco?

Facing record-level population growth and a booming job market, the city of San Francisco wants luxury developers to pay into the public transit system.

August 9 - CityLab

First Senate Bill Introduced to Raise Gas Tax

Carper, a Democrat, hopes to take advantage of historically low gas prices to hike the federal fuel taxes four cents a year for four years to end reliance on General Funds to fund transportation spending. Increased credits would offset the tax hike.

August 9 - The Hill

Corruption Investigation Rocks San Francisco City Hall

Corruption charges tainted the San Francisco political ranks this week, with implications of corruption and bribery in the land use and construction process, among other charges, reaching the Mayor's Office and many others.

August 8 - San Francisco Examiner

Affordable housing

Explaining the Importance of Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning

A term you need to know.

August 8 - New York Magazine

Gov. Andrew Cuomo: Contemporary New York's Version of Robert Moses?

In a comprehensive look at the New York governor's attraction to big infrastructure projects, the analogy to Robert Moses is made by the Regional Plan Association, while the right-leaning Manhattan Institute faults Cuomo for ignoring MTA.

August 8 - The New York Times - N.Y. / Region

Bay Area's First Express Lanes Break Ground

The new 23 miles of I-680 express lanes between San Ramon and Walnut Creek in Contra Costa County will begin construction this month, the first of over 500 miles to be built and operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

August 8 - Pleasanton Weekly

Minneapolis Green Line University of Minnesota

A Visionary Plan for an Urban Village in Minneapolis-Saint Paul

The Prospect North Partnership intends to build a fully integrated, resource-efficient neighborhood in a prime yet underdeveloped location.

August 8 - MinnPost

All Aboard Florida Receives Crucial State Backing for $1.75 Billion Loan

The Florida Development Finance Commission voted 3-0 at a contentious meeting to approve the 125 mph, Orlando-Miami privately funded train's request for tax-exempt status. It does not put the state at risk in terms of repaying the loan though.

August 7 - Orlando Sentinel

Katrina 'Ten Years After': and the Band Plays On

The 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina is upon us. Many of us city planners invested whatever skills we thought we had, plus a heavy dose of passionate naivete, to recovery planning in the wake of the 2005 storm.

August 7 - PlaceShakers

What Does it Take to Keep the Paint Fresh on Bike Lanes?

The bike lane on a well-traveled street through Philadelphia has faded beyond recognition. Appeals to restripe the lane have focused on a forthcoming visit from the pope.

August 7 - Philadelphia

Los Angeles Skyline

Los Angeles Mandates Fault Surveys in Risky Areas

According to a new rule, developers building over known faults will need to drill or take samples to find the rift's exact position. While it slows down construction, the measure might prevent catastrophic future quake damage.

August 7 - KPCC

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Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

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The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

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

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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.