The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Chicago Transit Authority Approves Fare Hike
The Chicago Transit Authority Board voted unanimously to raise fares, despite shrinking ridership.
Three Policy Fixes Could Dramatically Reduce Transportation Emissions and Provide Other Benefits
A new paper makes a compelling case for three simple transportation policy changes that could significantly reducing emissions, congestion and accidents: distance-based vehicle insurance and sales taxes, and parking cash out.
A New Way to Explore Local Transit Ridership Data
TransitCenter has released a new National Ridership Map.
The Year in Architecture
Two of the country's most famed and respected architecture critics have produced a list of the "good, bad, and the pink" of architecture in 2017.
Home Ownership Subsidy Takes a $250,000 Hit in Final Version of Tax Bill
The current mortgage interest deduction is $1 million. The House version of the tax bill called for a $500,000 cap while the Senate left it untouched. They split the difference and capped it at $750,000. Congress is expected to pass H.R. 1 this week
Alley Dwellings Looking More Attractive
Examining the growing demand for alley homes in Washington, D.C.—where alleys were once considered "evil."
News Roundup: The Power Outage That Shut Down the Atlanta Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the busiest airport in the world, was crippled by a total power outage over the weekend. The airport is now working to catch up before holiday travel peaks.
Gateway Arch Finally Connects to Downtown St. Louis
A $380 million project bridges a freeway and connects the Gateway Arch to downtown St. Louis.
FEATURE
D.C.'s Wharf Makes the City's Housing Problems Worse
Did The Wharf, a new mixed use mega project in Washington, D.C., deliver enough public benefit to warrant its large public subsidy?
Colorado DOT Issues Final Report on Road Usage Charge Pilot Program
Most of the 150 volunteers who participated in the 4-month program were pleased. Simulated invoices charged for vehicle-miles traveled after gas taxes paid were credited. Three technologies, including one with GPS, were available to record mileage.
Housing Affordability Prioritized in Recently Approved 'Growing SLC Plan'
The last time Salt Lake City adopted a housing plan, the city's population was declining. Now booming in population, the city is setting a course to build lots of new housing supply.
For Stability and Sustainability, the World Needs Microgrids
Solar and wind power are cheaper than ever, but they remain variable. To make the best use of renewable resources, the electrical grid needs to network more small free-standing power sources together.
Portland Bike Lanes and the Danger of Half-Measures
Willamette's new bike lanes make for an important link in Portland's bike infrastructure, but building unprotected bike lanes on a high-speed street carries risk.
Huge Toll Lane Setback in Texas
In a landmark, unanimous vote, the Texas Transportation Commission eliminated all 15 express lane projects from their 10-year capital plan despite pleas from Austin area officials to retain the $8 billion, I-35 project that includes four toll lanes.
Tall Building Construction Continues to Smash Records and Redefine Skylines
There are 402 percent more tall buildings in the world than there was in 2000.
D.C. Steps in to Buy At-Risk Affordable Housing
In the interest of preserving affordable supply, the District can purchase apartment buildings that would otherwise sell to private developers.
What the Final Tax Reform Bill Has in Store for Housing and Development
The final version of the tax reform bill included some surprises with regard to housing and infrastructure funding mechanisms threatened in previous version of the bill.
BLOG POST
A New Traffic Safety Paradigm
Despite numerous traffic safety programs, traffic death rates have not declined in a decade and recently started to increase. We can do better! A new paradigm identifies additional safety strategies that reduce both crash rates and risk exposure.
*New Amtrak Train Derails On Highway Overpass Outside of Seattle, Killing 3
The first southbound train on of the newly routed Amtrak Cascades Seattle-to-Portland service derailed on a highway overpass on Monday morning, with two passenger cars falling onto southbound Interstate 5, striking motor vehicles.
Los Angeles Adopts 'Linkage Fee' for Affordable Housing Funding
Los Angeles is the latest city to adopt a "linkage fee" that charges new development to generate funding for affordable housing, joining cities like Seattle, Chicago, and San Jose.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
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.
