The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Walkable Urban Commercial District

Raising the Meal Tax to Pay for Affordable Housing

Is anybody up for happy hour in Alexandria?

May 26 - The Washington Post

Floating Village Proposed for Protection Against Floods and Quakes

A "floating village" has been proposed for a San Jose neighborhood, with building riding on pontoons as a safeguard against repeated flooding.

May 25 - San Jose Mercury News

Wind farm and greenhouse gas farm, together

California Poll: Voters Likely to Repeal 12-Cents Gas Tax Increase in November

It's not looking good for transportation advocates who want to retain over $5 billion in annual transportation funding made possible the passage of a bill last year that enabled the first gas tax increase in California since 1994.

May 25 - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles STreet

Mobility as a Symphony: Los Angeles Prepares for Transportation of the Future

LADOT is rehearsing now for the day it has to manage autonomous vehicles alongside delivery drones and air taxis.

May 25 - The Planning Report

Logging

A Surprising Source of Carbon Emissions in Oregon

The ecosystems of Oregon’s Coast Range are some of the most adept ecosystems for absorbing carbon in the entire country. The same trees that absorb that carbon can be turned into a major source of emissions in the hands of humans.

May 25 - High Country News


Atlanta to Use Transportation Sales Tax Money on Park Expansion

Transportation tax funding has suddenly been diverted to a park project in Atlanta, and a few voices want to know why. The project still gained approval, however.

May 25 - SaportaReport

Seattle

Seattle Revamping its Tree Ordinance

A recent study found that Seattle's tree coverage shrank from 2010-2015, but the city has a goal to cover 30 percent of the city with trees by 2037.

May 25 - The Urbanist


Meadow Wetlands

What Billions in Bonds Could Do for California Water

From clean drinking supply to sinking infrastructure, California has a lot to worry about when it comes to water. Two upcoming bonds could make a dent in the work ahead.

May 25 - The Planning Report

British Columbia

'Mobility Pricing' on the Table in Vancouver

More study is needed, but the concept of driving people to drive around metropolitan Vancouver has passed its first test.

May 25 - CBC News

Caution

Mapping the Repeated Occurrence of Natural Disasters

The New York Times publishes an interactive feature that illustrates the stubbornness of natural disasters (or humans, in the face of natural disasters).

May 25 - The New York Times

Kind on the subway

Friday Eye Candy: Meet the 'Subway Creatures' of Instagram

This one is for the people watchers.

May 25 - NorthJersey

Illinois Multi-Family

The Emerging 'Surban' Real Estate Market

A little less emphasis on the suburban, and a little more emphasis on the urban.

May 24 - Chicago Tribune

Portland Commuter Rail

Ridership on Commuter Rail to Portland Suburbs Falling Quickly

Ridership is declining on TriMet's Westside Extension Service, reflecting declines on other parts of the system. This commuter rail line, however, has its own unique set of issues.

May 24 - The Oregonian

Accessory Dwelling Unit

Environmental Impact Study Builds the Case for Accessory Dwelling Units in Seattle

Proponents of a new Accessory Dwelling Unit rule in Seattle say the tactics of opponents backfired with this Environmental Impact Study.

May 24 - Sightline Institute

New Orleans City Park

New Orleans Already Rethinking its Short-Term Rental Regulations

New Orleans passed short-term rental regulations into law in October 2016, and launched a permitting process launched in April 2017. By May 2018, some city councilmembers are already proposing change.

May 24 - The Times-Picayune

Seattle Transit

Tacoma Link Extension Wins $75 Million in Federal Funding

A federal grant will allow Sound Transit to double the length of Tacoma's light rail system.

May 24 - Federal Transit Administration

Express Lanes on a Toll Road?

Call it a premium toll. Unlike most of the nation's managed lanes which exist adjacent to untolled, general purpose lanes, the "general use lanes" on Tampa's Veterans Expressway (SR 589) are tolled. Express lanes will be dynamically priced

May 24 - WFLA

Sprawl

Mapping the Rapid Loss of America's Agricultural Land

Development continues to encroach on agricultural land around the United States. A new study shows exactly how much agricultural land has been developed.

May 24 - Modern Farmer

MARTA Trains

Atlanta Has Big Transit Plans

Atlanta needs federal funding to make its light rail and bus service dreams a reality, but it already has $2.5 billion in sales tax revenue to work with.

May 24 - Atlanta

Lake Calhoun

Ranking the Best U.S. Cities for Parks

The 2018 ParkScore is now available.

May 24 - Trust for Public Land

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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.