The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Mississippi Governor First to Preempt Local Stay-at-Home Orders
As more governors order residents to stay at home and/or close nonessential businesses to contain the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Tate Reeves has gone the opposite direction by issuing an executive order that supersedes stricter local measures.
Keys to Safely Reopening Cities After the Pandemic
Cities have survived terrible infectious diseases before, because the power of concentrated human and economic activity is just so strong. When it’s time to reopen U.S. cities, a few key actions will ensure the future safety and health of all.
Remembering the Health Benefits of Urban Density
According to this article, it would be a shame if the coronavirus inspires new levels of skepticism about density and city living.
How Global Cities Are Coping With the Pandemic
Social distancing is the word controlling most U.S. urban dwellers' thoughts and actions right now, but cities around the world have additional lessons in pandemic response to share.
Baltimore Transit Lagging Behind Other Systems
State-run buses and subway trains in Baltimore have breakdown rates far higher than systems in other cities.
More Details for Planners on the Federal Stimulus Package
As the U.S. House of representatives approved the passive stimulus package approved by the U.S. Senate earlier in the week, more details emerged about the parts of the bill that will be relevant to planners during the coming weeks and months.
Light Rail Service Suspended in San Francisco, South Bay Area
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency announced that it would shift resources away from light rail, starting Monday, and then the Valley Transportation Authority announced it was suspending light rail service in the South Bay immediately.
How We Learn Public Transportation and Infrastructure Lessons
"Who do you learn from?" is a question that transportation planners, particularly in the United States, should ask themselves.
Predicting Hospital Capacity as the Coronavirus Spreads
An analysis of data about hospital capacity and possible infection trends shows that hospital facilities will be stretched thin even in the best-case scenario.
BLOG POST
Planners and Pandemics: Identifying Problems and Providing Solutions
Planners are professional problem solvers. Let’s see how our methods can be applied to the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Density Control Measure to Close Some New York Streets to Cars
To encourage recreational walking while practicing social distancing in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Andrew Cuomo asked the New York City mayor and city council speaker to devise a pilot project to provide for open streets.
In Wyoming, Vast Open Spaces Meet Extreme Gaps Between Rich and Poor
The story of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, illustrates the class tensions that arise when an idealized vision of life close to nature butts up against the realities of wealth, privilege, and social inequality.
Op-Ed: The Importance of Equity in Transportation Planning
Transportation planners must address equity issues in their work and involve the people most affected by the planning and policymaking process.
The Dual Threat of Wildfires and Coronavirus in California
As drought conditions continue, the state is preparing for the possibility that the two dangerous public health and safety threats will overlap.
A Social Distancing Scorecard
A location data company has created a Social Distancing Scorecard to track the progress of Americans, down to the county level, in reducing travel in accordance with recommendations to reduce physical contact.
Britain Shuts Down and India Locks Down to Contain COVID-19
In a major reversal, Prime Minister Boris Johnson dramatically strengthened his policies on containing the pandemic, ordering residents on Monday to stay at home and closing nonessential businesses. Prime Minister Narendra Modi of Inda went further.
FEATURE
The Crisis Within the Crisis: Homelessness and Housing Pushed to the Brink by COVID-19
Cities, states, and the federal government are trying to prevent a repeat of 2008 while still facing the challenges of inequality and poverty that grew out of the previous recession.
Connecticut Town Rejects Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing Facility
The annals of local control, or, as some would say, NIMBYism, have a new chapter.
Planning Work Continues (Remotely) Amid Pandemic
While cities may be shut down, city planners have not turned off the lights. Planning departments around California, which is mostly on lockdown, have resorted to working from home. Long-range planning could even benefit.
L.A.'s Crackdown on McMansions Hasn't Stopped Them from Going Up
Legislation to stop construction of McMansions is being undermined by a zoning loophole.
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.
