The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Board Passes on Rent Freeze Despite Mayor de Blasio's Intentions

The New York City Rent Guidelines Board is one of the few ways Mayor Bill de Blasio can influence the price of housing in the city. All sides came away wanting when the board approved a historically low increase.

June 24 - New York Times

SFPark Releases Data on Two-Year Pilot Phase

The SFPark two-year pilot has concluded, and the city recently released comprehensive data that make a good case for its success in almost every possible metric of parking management. Now can the city expand the program?

June 24 - S.F. Streetsblog

Baltimore's First EcoDistrict: State Center Redevelopment Project

Baltimore's first test of the EcoDistrict green neighborhood program was enabled by a lawsuit that delayed the State Center redevelopment project for four years.

June 24 - Baltimore Sun

Environmentalists Settle Lawsuit on Plan Bay Area

Two down, two to go. Rarely has a regional transportation/land use plan been sued by so many diverse groups. Environmentalists settled with Bay Area regional planning agencies with assurances that the 2017 plan will better account for GHG reductions.

June 24 - Contra Costa Times

On the Endangered Value of Taxi Medallions

Emily Badger focuses on the signifier at the middle of the ongoing battle between taxi companies and transportation network companies like Uber, Lfyt, and Sidecar—the taxi medallion.

June 24 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog


Re-Evaluating the Dynamic Duo: Olmsted and Moses

Anthony Flint examines the commonalities—and disparities—in the historic legacies of Frederick Law Olmsted and Robert Moses.

June 24 - CityLab

Paradox: Congestion May Signify Better Accessibility and Economic Productivity

Although transport planners consider traffic congestion economically harmful, economic productivity tends to increase with congestion and decline with increased road supply. This paradox can be explained by more nuanced analysis of accessibility.

June 24 - The Vancouver Sun


Philadelphia Planners and Police Looking for Pedestrian Safety Solutions

Pedestrian safety in Philadelphia is a mixed bag. While it can often be a pleasant, pedestrian-friendly city, recent pedestrian deaths have highlighted the ongoing need to improve the safety of the Philadelphia's sidewalks and streets.

June 23 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Is Los Angeles the Museum Capital of the United States?

Los Angeles County Planner Clement Lau continues his case for proclaiming the City of Angels as the museum capital of the United States.

June 23 - UrbDeZine

Washington D.C. Row Houses

Proliferation of 'Pop-Ups' Irks Washington D.C. Neighborhoods

Washington D.C. is experiencing a "rush" on new construction of renovated townhouses or "pop-ups," which many say do not fit the character of the neighborhoods where they tend to proliferate.

June 23 - Washington Post

Breaking News: Supreme Court Strikes Down Part of Obama Climate Initiative

In a 5-4 decision on June 23, the Supreme Court ruled that EPA erred in the permitting processes for new carbon-cutting rules. However, most of the Clean Power Plant rule that reduces emissions 30 percent will not be affected.

June 23 - Los Angeles Times

Reducing the Number of Abandoned Properties in Louisville

Louisville, like many other cities around the country, has been working hard to reduce the number of abandoned buildings. Recent efforts have provided the city with a new road map for blight reduction.

June 23 - The Courier-Journal

Old Man Cyclist

Our Elders are Leading the Bike Boom

While biking might be seen as a young person's cause, new data from the National Household Travel Survey show that American's aged 60-79 are responsible for a huge chunk of new riders.

June 23 - Streetsblog USA

Dallas the Setting for a Discussion of 'New Cities'

After the New Cities Summit last week, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors this week, Dallas has been the location of a lot of recent discussion about the future of cities.

June 23 - Dallas Morning News

Door Zone

$2.4 Million Settlement for Cyclist Sends Message in 'Dooring' Crash

A precedent-setting settlement for a cyclist run over after being doored should send a message to motorists, both exiting their parked vehicle and when driving, and cyclists when riding adjacent to parked cars.

June 23 - Streetsblog USA

gehry building

BLOG POST

The Curious Anonymity of Architecture

Chicago's complaints about the signage on Donald Trump's new tower are predictable enough. What's surprising is that the people to design buildings rarely, if ever, get the slightest recognition in the public realm.

June 23 - Josh Stephens

Survey: Americans Want Government Action on Affordable Housing

The findings of the Housing Works survey, released earlier this month, suggest that the cost of housing is a pervasive concern among Americans, even if Americans aren't sure they support the kinds of measures necessary to improve the problem.

June 23 - Governing

Buffalo, New York

BLOG POST

Does Low Congestion Mean Urban Failure?

The least congested cities tend to be small, declining, and dangerous.

June 22 - Michael Lewyn

Detroit's Unpermitted Goat Experiment Ends—Is a Second Chance Possible?

A hedge fund manager recently took it upon himself to bring 20 goats into Detroit as an experiment of urban agriculture. The city quickly shipped the herd off, but fans of goats wonder why these animals shouldn't have a place in the city.

June 22 - NPR The Salt

Pittsburgh Struggles to Maintain its Public Staircases

Pittsburgh leads all American cities in the number of its public stairways (followed by Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Francisco), but the city has begun removing some of the staircases, citing the high cost of maintenance and public safety.

June 22 - The Wall Street Journal

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