The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Planting More Trees to Protect and Save Lives
A new study estimates that more than a third of premature deaths from excessive heat can be prevented by planting more trees in cities.
D.C. Transit Recovery ‘Slow and Bumpy’
Transit service in the District has not yet recovered to pre-pandemic levels, with Black and low-income riders feeling the brunt of the impact.
The 65th Birthday of the Lego Brick
The Lego brick is 65 years old this year. Learn more about its history and impacts on both children and adults.
D.C. Homeless Sweeps Contradict White House Policy
Just months after the Biden administration released a blueprint for ending homelessness focused on ‘person-centered’ solutions, federal officials are forcefully displacing unhoused people in encampments around the District.
FEATURE
Shaping a 15-Minute City Vision for Detroit and Cleveland Using Data-Assisted Modeling
How master plans in the two cities hope to transform their historic, and historically underutilized, waterfronts.
‘We Will Chicago’ Plan Adopted in the Windy City
Chicago has its first “comprehensive plan” since the 1960s, but without a land use map, the “We Will Chicago” plan is devoted more to laying out the issues and challenges facing the city than setting new policies.
New York Hires ‘Public Space Czar’
The public space officer will be in charge of making the city’s sidewalks more pedestrian-friendly while keeping streets clean and accessible.
In Houston, Housing Loses Out to Freeways
TxDOT plans to demolish hundreds of apartments for its interstate widening project despite local calls to preserve the buildings as affordable housing.
Friday Funny: ‘Deregulation Works’
A tongue-in-cheek piece from The Onion calls the disastrous train derailment in Ohio a “deregulation success story.”
Baltimore Sees Steep Drop in Unhoused Residents
The city exceeded its goals for providing housing and creating new affordable housing units in 2022.
Recall Affects Over 360,000 Tesla Cars with ‘Full Self-Driving’ Software
Federal regulators are asking the carmaker to update the software on vehicles equipped with FSD due to its poor safety record.
New All-Affordable Zone Proposed for L.A.’s Skid Row
A Los Angeles Times editorial argues that Skid Row’s future should learn from the mistakes of the past.
900 Rental Units Approved for 44-Acre Development in Boise
One of the fastest growing regions in the country is making room for more residents.
Utah Governor: Californians, Stay Home
Gov. Spencer Cox urged Californians considering the move to Utah to stay put, highlighting the state’s rapid growth and the strain on resources like water and housing.
Denver Transit Proposal Could Lower Fares, Make Transit Free for Youth
The agency released a draft plan to eliminate regional zones, make airport trips more affordable, and reduce fares systemwide.
Feds Could Take Back ARPA Funding in Debt Ceiling Talks
Aid dollars not yet distributed to states and cities could be part of a Congressional ‘clawback,’ prompting concern from local leaders.
Virginia Ties Clean Car Standards to California
The last obstacle to a 2021 bill linking Virginia’s emissions standards to California policy was defeated on a party-line vote in the state’s legislature, paving the way for a shift to electric vehicles.
Unreadable License Plates Led to Lost Revenue, Safety Concerns
In New York City, the rate of unreadable license plates caught on speed cameras rose in 2022, prompting concerns from safety advocates about scofflaw drivers.
FEATURE
The Responsibility of the Building to the Street
Structural engineers are responsible for ensuring that buildings do not fall over. Mechanical engineers must ensure that people inside can breathe. But what responsibility do building designers have to the street outside?
Oregon Toll Road Proposals Raise Cost, Equity Concerns
The state’s plan to implement tolls to reduce congestion and promote alternate transportation modes is facing some backlash as critics argue the revenue shouldn’t fund road expansion projects.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
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.
