The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Sea Level Rise Will Not Be Uniform
As the climate warms, the world's glaciers and ice sheets are melting, but sea level increase will be greater in some places due to the earth's rotation and gravity, according to a newly released study by the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
$13 Billion in Water Bonds Headed for the California Ballot in 2018
The legislature placed a $4.1 billion water bond on the ballot in June while a privately funded initiative hopes to qualify an $8.9 billion water bond for the November ballot. The state measure would also fund parks and trails.
Albuquerque Overhauls its Zoning Code for the First Time Since the 1970s
Albuquerque has approved the new Integrated Development Ordinance.
How the U.S. Compares to Other Nations in Road Safety
It's not just death from gun violence where the U.S. is an outlier. The New York Times compiled traffic fatality data showing that other developed nations have greatly lower traffic death rates, which wasn't historically the case.
$312 Million Corridor Improvement Project Coming to the East Bay Area
Two county transit agencies, seven cities, and three regional transit agencies are joining forces to plan improvements to the growing San Pablo corridor in the East Bay Area.
Detroit to Break Ground on a New Tallest Building
A new 800-foot tower is rising from the ashes of the demolished Hudson's store site. Noted Detroit patron Dan Gilbert is developing the new building.
Los Angeles to Test New 'Mobility on Demand' Partnership
The Federal Transit Administration has offered the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority a $1.35 million grant to partner with ridesharing app Via on first-last mile solutions.
Trolley System Thrives in Houston Suburb
As ridership soars, the "urban circulator" in the Woodlands Township is getting longer routes and more frequent service.
The Young History of Open Data Leadership in Pittsburgh
The city of Pittsburgh's Open Data project recently released a progress report to commemorate its first two years in operation.
Senate GOP Tax Cutters Target Bike Commuter Tax Benefit
To help pay for their massive tax cut bill, Senate Republicans have proposed elimination of a small tax benefit that can save bike commuters $240 annually. Unlike the House tax bill, they don't touch parking and transit benefits.
Vancouver Gets 'Granny Flats' Right
Not forcing "style-matching" are among the recommendations for a good accessory dwelling unit (ADU) policy
Vacancies Come in All Forms, Even New Affordable Apartments in Brooklyn
A 298-unit, 18-story tower in Pacific Park Brooklyn opened its doors to new renters in various categories of affordability over five months ago. 27% remain empty in the higher income tiers, and unlike market-rate units, the asking rent won't drop.
The Community Takes Ownership of Harvard Square
Harvard Square bears the name of a prestigious private university, but it's still public space. More community organizations are taking a role in determining its future in an era of change for the historic location.
Houston-Area Floodplain Regulations to Expand from 100-Year to 500-Year Levels
Harris County, home to Houston and the scene of widespread devastation during Hurricane Harvey and other weather events, will make large-scale changes to development regulations on floodplains for the first time in almost 20 years.
Detroit's Rebirth: Beyond the Headlines
John Gallagher takes a look at some of the civic factors and organizations that have worked behind the scenes to pull Detroit through.
Rejecting Flashy Forms, New Architecture Embraces the 'Boring'
Christopher Hawthrone discusses the rise of a "quiet style" in architecture that returns to basic shapes and resists the urge to look futuristic.
Bay Area Displacement Spreads to Sacramento
A new study finds evidence that the ripple effect from the San Francisco Bay Area's housing affordability crisis has reached all the way to Sacramento.
Ranking Seattle's Transit Lines
With plans for expansions and realignment in the works, Sound Transit recently ranked the performance of the routes and corridors throughout the bus and light rail transit system.
Houston's Tallest New Buildings Coming to Neighborhoods Not Called Downtown
A 328-foot building is planned for the Downtown-Adjacent Midtown neighborhood.
Durham Struggles With Evictions as Housing Market Rises
Durham, North Carolina might not be the city you expect to hear about when the conversation turns to a wave of evictions driving residents from their homes as post-Recession development remakes the market.
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.
