The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Land Trusts: the Middle Ground of Housing
The Boston Globe recently ran an op-ed in support of community land trusts and inclusionary housing, which was penned by the National Housing Institute/Shelterforce and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.
Phantom Traffic Jams Explained
Joseph Stromberg explains the phantom traffic jam—that scourge of highway travel when everyone on the highway slows down for no apparent reason and then quickly accelerates to previous speeds.
Collisions Trouble Atlanta Streetcar Testing
Some would argue that introducing streetcars to auto-oriented streets is a recipe for collisions. Drivers in Atlanta are already having trouble mixing with streetcars, before the system even launches.
Tappan Zee Bike and Pedestrian Path Controversy Continues
A controversy erupted last spring when residents of South Nyack objected to the route of a bike and pedestrian path over the new Tappan Zee Bridge—now residents think that their concerns were brushed under the rug until after the recent election.
Critic: Improve Lighting to Improve Dallas Walkability
Architecture Critic Mark Lamster sets aside the complex issues of lane configurations and traffic calming to focus on a key aspect of walkability: proper lighting.
Nation's Most Expensive Bridge Crossing Turns 50
Perhaps known more for high tolls than beauty, the Verrazano Narrows bridge turned 50 on November 21. Staten Islanders expected the high tolls to end when the bridge was paid for.
An In-Depth Look at the Indiana Toll Road Bankruptcy
Angie Schmitt and Payton Chung have created a three-part series on the Indiana Toll Road and how its example informs the use of private finance to build and maintain highways.
Disappointment, Pessimism, Rage: Is this America at Middle Age?
Community conversations often devolve. Could it be partly due to the "midlife crisis" of the North American demographic? Can we look forward to a time of more social connectedness in the next decade, as we recalibrate to less "me," more "we?"
Mining Data from the World for Big Profits
The Wall Street Journal examines a pair of businesses as examples of how new sources of data can be collected and sold. Orbital Insight, Inc, for instance, interprets the shadows cast by buildings.
290 Miles of Bike Superhighways to Connect Copenhagen and its Suburbs
The first bike super highway connecting Copenhagen and one of its suburbs was completed in 2012. That first, 11-mile leg only hints of the ambitious plans for the network.
Rural Texans Air Objections to High Speed Rail
Parts of rural Texas sound a bit like the outspoken high speed rail opponents in California's Central Valley in their reaction to the Texas Central Railway's bullet train which maintains strong support at the terminal cities of Houston and Dallas.
The New Whistleblower: Using Satellite Images to Spot Environmental Damage
West Virginia-based SkyTruth is culling satellite and aerial images to blow the whistle on unreported damage to the environment.
Review: Smithsonian South Mall Master Plan
Writing for The Dirt, Jared Green takes a critical eye to the proposed master plan for the Smithsonian's South Mall campus, designed by high-profile Danish architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group.
Managing the 'Uneven Growth' of the Urban Boom
A new exhibit at the New York Museum of Modern Art examines the growing pains of urbanism's ascendance.
Portland to Evaluate Neighborhood Greenway Program
Portland will launch an effort to evaluate and improve its influential neighborhood greenway system of bike friendly residential corridors.
Bridging the Gap in the Los Angeles River Greenway
A new trail segment along the Los Angeles River breaks ground in a park-poor neighborhood as part of the countywide Los Angeles River revitalization.
Focus on Scale-Up, Not Start-Up
Jose Corona of Inner City Advisors urges: to truly transform local neighborhoods, we must shift our attention to invest in enterprise scale, not start-ups, as a long-lasting solution for creating good jobs.
What Can Vancouver Teach Melbourne?
Melbourne has topped numerous global lists for its quality of life, but it certainly has room to improve. Former Vancouver Planning Director Brent Toderian sees lessons from his hometown for the world class city down under.
Restructured Gas Tax, EV Fees Proposed in Wisconsin
Gov. Scott Walker's transportation secretary is proposing a four-part tax, fee, and transfer plan to raise $750 million over the next two years. It would lower the gas tax while adding a wholesale sales tax and charge EVs and hybrids an annual fee.
Crowdfunding Civic Spaces
Although crowdfunding initially developed to support artists and entrepreneurs, crowdfunding sites are funding a growing number of public space projects.
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
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.
