The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

New Surveillance Technology Gathers Plenty of Data, but Who Has Access?
As new technology for data collection becomes available to police departments around the country, concerns grow about what is being collected and who has access.

Two New Parking Policies Put Portland in the Lead on Parking
Portland will implement dynamic meter pricing and parking districts, making it the leader in progressive parking policies in the Pacific Northwest, according to this article.

Huge Stacks of ofo Bikes Sent to Metal Recycler
A hill of yellow metal and black tires sits in a Dallas recycling facility, Mayor, Mike Rawlings is not happy.

Making a Place for Virtual Reality in Planning
As virtual reality technology becomes more accessible, it's time to start considering how immersive virtual experiences could help inform visioning process and design decision-making.
California REITS Have Much at Stake on Election Day
One of the most controversial measures on the November 6 ballot in California is Prop. 10: the repeal of the landmark Costa-Hawkins Act that places limits on rent control. Real estate investment trusts are donating big time to defeat it.

Analysis: Denver's 20-Year Vision for Not-Quite-Complete Streets
The Denveright plan puts pedestrians first, but could do more for public transportation and bikes, says a critique from Streetsblog Denver.

Analyzing the Decision to Rewrite the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule
Observers have been pointing out the contradictions in Secretary Ben Carson's justifications for a new approach to the Fair Housing Act.

Making a Regional Map of Walking and Biking Trails
A cross-jurisdictional trail map is harder to find than one might expect. Not so anymore in the Washington, D.C. region.

Chart Your City's Street Network to Understand its Logic
The roads in your city might conform to a grid, or they might divert around natural resources or landmarks. A new tool aims to help you visualize the "hidden logic" behind urban growth.

Provo Bus Will Be Free for Three Years
A federal grant meant to reduce congestion will make bus travel from Provo to Orem free until 2021.

Five Key Energy Bills the California Legislature May Decide this Week
Energy stakeholders in California are watching five important bills to see which go forward with three weeks remaining in the legislative season. One would require the state to generate all electricity from renewable sources by 2045.

In Limbo: Philadelphia's Construction Tax for Affordable Housing
It's been radio silence from Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney since the City Council approved a dedicated stream of funding for affordable housing.

New Linkage Fee Approved in South San Francisco
The city of South San Francisco recently approved a linkage fee for commercial developments, following the lead of a few other cities that have decided on linkage fees as a similar mechanism to fund affordable housing.
Senate Bans Procurements of Chinese Transit Vehicles
The temporary ban applies to bus and rail projects seeking funding from a number of FTA programs.

New York MTA Committed to Improving Bus Bunching
The New York MTA is on a mission to mitigate bus bunching, the telltale sign of unreliable service.

Mapping 25 Years of Urban Expansion
What comparing 25 years of urban expansion on six continents reveals about the changing nature of the built environment.

Federal Appeals Court Orders EPA to Ban Harmful Pesticide
The ruling puts another stain on former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's legacy as it rebukes his denial of a petition to ban a pesticide that causes neurodevelopmental damage in children. Pruitt had rejected his own scientists' recommendation.

Bushwick Community Plan Facing Criticism From the Community
The Bushwick Community Plan process is being lead by the members of the community, but has still provoked controversy over issues of gentrification and displacement.

The AV START Act Raises Safety Concerns
The AV Start Act (S. 1885, Thune) is making its way through the U.S. Senate. Critics say the bill will rush autonomous vehicles to the market, and to the streets, without safety regulations.

Dallas Hotel Supply Swelling With New Projects
Dallas is experiencing a hotel building boom.
Pagination
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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.