The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Community Meeting

Why Participatory Planning Fails (and How to Fix It)

“Having participated in several of the I-70 meetings, I got to see firsthand how community input really just meant show up, complain, and we’re going to do the opposite of what you’re asking,” says one Denver councilmember.

May 4 - Next City

American Planning Association 2015

BLOG POST

Planning for the 2021 National Planning Conference

After last year's National Planning Conference was canceled in the early days and weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual event returns online, with tons of planning content and even several avenues for networking and socializing.

May 4 - James Brasuell

Eli Broad

Los Angeles' Merchant of Sprawl

Los Angeles is mourning the death of billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad. For all of Broad's many civic contributions, he made his fortune in a decidedly anti-urban way.

May 4 - California Planning & Development Report

Minneapolis Park

First Steps Toward Rent Control in Minneapolis

The state of Minnesota requires local rent control law to be approved by general election, so the city of Minneapolis is forced to take several preemptory steps to get a rent stabilization ordinance on the ballot.

May 4 - MinnPost

Construction Industry

Lumber Prices Spike; Housing Prices Follow

The cost of lumber has more than doubled in the past year, according to industry sources, adding more than $24,000 to the cost of a new home.

May 4 - The Atlantic


The Pioneer

Iowa Makes it Easier for Landlords to Reject Housing Vouchers

The state of Iowa's Republican leadership preempted local laws that prevent landlords from rejecting housing vouchers as rent payment.

May 4 - The Hill

New York City Subway

Overnight Subway Service Returning in New York City

A big piece of the process of reopening New York City for business is scheduled for May 17, but numerous challenges remain in getting the city that never sleeps back on track.

May 4 - The New York Times


Gentrification

PLANOPEDIA

What Is Displacement?

Displacement—the forced relocation of existing residents and businesses was once a desired outcome of the "urban renewal" projects of the 20th century. In the 21st century, displacement is a highly contested, hard to trace, effect commonly linked to gentrification and urban revitalization.

May 3 - James Brasuell

Single Family Residential Construction

The Housing Affordability Recipe

Smart policies can ensure that low- and moderate-income households can find suitable housing in good neighborhoods where transportation costs are low. The research is clear: upzoning works.

May 3 - Governing

Dealer

Biden Administration Hits Automotive Emissions Reset Button

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has rolled back Trump administration reductions of auto emission standards enacted by the Trump administration, and is taking first steps toward a new emissions agreement with automakers.

May 3 - The Washington Post

Homeless Encampment

Austin Casts a Controversial Vote on Public Camping as the City Faces Growing Pains

Voters in Austin voted to reinstate a ban on public camping, taking steps to criminalize homelessness before the State Legislature could.

May 3 - Austin American-Statesman

Grand Connection

Poised for a New Era of Parks Planning in Bellevue, Washington

The last round of capital investment made possible by a 2008 parks levy offers a chance to look further into the future in Bellevue, Washington.

May 3 - The Urbanist

Los Angeles River

FEATURE

A Comment for the L.A. River Master Plan

Five themes proposed to achieve justice and sustainability for the Los Angeles River and its surrounding communities.

May 3 - Richard Dion

SouthWest Transit

Senate Committee Hearing Signals Possible Shift in Federal Transit Funding

Transit advocates were pleasantly surprised to hear senators address specific questions about the 80/20 split in transportation funding, transit operations, and rural transit needs.

May 3 - Transportation for America

I-71 I-70 Columbus OH

Northeast Ohio Agency Set to Reject Three Highway Proposals

The agency's recommendations are based on a new method of cost-benefit analysis that includes equity and environmental sustainability as key measures.

May 3 - Cleveland.com

Brooklyn-Queens Expressway

Highway Sign Typefaces, Explained

The latest Vox explainer video tackles the eminently fascinating topic of highway sign fonts.

May 3 - Vox via YouTube

New Jersey Transit

Opinion: 'Commuter Rail' Must Adapt to the New Commute

The sharp historic division between commuter rail and other forms of transit has limited the ability of regional rail systems to serve more users.

May 2 - Governing

COVID-19 Pandemic

Pandemic Still Surging in Parts of the U.S.

Bloomberg News' 'Evening Briefing' on April 29 looked at the global pandemic, noting the horrific scenes in India, Brazil's rising death toll, and added, "Coronavirus mutations are also wreaking havoc in America." Oregon is their focus.

May 2 - Bloomberg News

Indian Trail, North Carolina

Record Number of Single-Family Rentals Reflect the Expensive U.S. Housing Market

Home builders are building a record number of single-family rentals, and young, modest-income households with children are more likely to live in those new homes.

May 2 - Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University

Florida Roads

Florida Highway Project Faces Opposition From All Sides

Critics worry the proposed 330-mile corridor would encourage sprawl, harm wildlife, and saddle the state with decades of debt.

May 2 - Grist

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.