The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Communicative Arts Academy: Rebuilding Compton for Artists and Community Life
In the 1960s-70s, a group of artists called the Compton Communicative Arts Academy renovated buildings across Compton and transformed vernacular, underutilized structures into venues for and objects of art.
A Love Letter to the Bicycle
Riding a bicycle is not only a coping mechanism; it's also a way to protect ourselves during the coronavirus pandemic.
Public Spaces Converted to Open-Air Cafes to Make Space for Social Distance
The Lithuanian capital city of Vilnius has taken an incredible step in reopening for business while requiring strict social distancing practices.
D.C. Comp Plan Update Includes 'Gentle Density' in Single-Family Residential Neighborhoods
A lot of long-term planning is underway in Washington, D.C.
Massive Affordable Housing Effort in New York Faces Coronavirus Reckoning
A controversial but sweeping housing initiative in New York City, one of Mayor Bill de Blasio's signature initiatives, had a full head of steam before the coronavirus. Now it's facing drastic cuts.
BLOG POST
COVID-19 and Big, Dense Cities That Aren't New York
As in metropolitan New York, big, dense cities don't always suffer from coronavirus to a greater extent than their car-oriented suburbs.
Report Faults the EPA for Lack of Environmental Enforcement in Great Lakes States
A report by the Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC) shows a decrease in environmental enforcement in six Midwest states. The ELPC calls for increased funding. The EPA states the claims errors in data reporting are responsible for the drop.
A High-Rise Condo and Hotel Proposed for Downtown Los Angeles
A trendy new Downtown Los Angels skyscraper would be home to a 160-room hotel and 319 condominium units if an Australian developer moves forward with plans.
Where Cities Flout Flood Protection Rules, the Public Still Subsidizes Insurance
An investigation by the New York Times reveals the ongoing neglect of flood considerations in developing parts of the United States—practice that comes with large costs to the taxpaying public.
BLOG POST
How Local Projects Could Spur COVID-19 Economic Recovery
While some cities and states have prohibited all construction during the first few months of the pandemic, other locations are leaning on construction projects as a source of employment and improvements during tough times.
First Climate Action Plan Released in Houston
The planning legacy of Hurricane Harvey is becoming more clear in Houston, after the city released its first-ever Houston Climate Action Plan, just months after releasing the Resilient Houston plan.
Jane's Walks Adjusts to Social Distancing
The Jane's Walks festival take place the first weekend of May in cities all over the world. In 2020, social distancing will require a different format for the citizen-led group walk event.
Racial Equity, Starting With Planning Departments
A recent journal article argues for planners to lead on racial equity.
States to Train Public Health Armies to Move Beyond Mitigation to Containment
As some governors open nonessential businesses, subjecting workers and customers to potential viral infection, others move beyond social distancing to the next steps, boxing in the coronavirus with testing, contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine.
Former L.A. City Budget Czar on the Fiscal Quagmire Ahead
Miguel Santana, former chief administrative officer for the city of Los Angeles during the Great Recession, comments on the realities revenue-starved city budgets.
Google's Decade of Land Acquisition Cresting During the Pandemic
According to reports, Google parent company Alphabet is pulling back on two massive land acquisition deals amidst the economic uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. A development approval setback will also slow the company's expansion.
Breaking News: 100 Miles of New York City Streets to Open for Recreation
Mayor Bill de Blasio had been reluctant to adopt the open streets model growing in popularity around the world and in the United States, but Monday morning changed all of that.
Clean Energy Sector Shed More Than 100,000 Jobs in March
The great recession led to major gains in the clean energy sector, but so far, clean energy workers are struggling like everyone else.
State Legislators Rescind Gas Tax Support in Massachusetts
While advocates argue for raising the gas tax while gas prices are low, Massachusetts legislators are backing away from an idea they supported in March.
What Could a Joe Biden Presidency Accomplish on Affordable Housing?
Democratic presidential candidates made the housing crisis part of their platforms. What might a President Biden do to ease the shortage?
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
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.
