The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Chicago Pays Billions for Continued Segregation
The Urban Institute and the Metropolitan Planning Council studied the social and economic impacts of segregation in the Chicago region.

California's Record Fuel Taxes Hike Passes Legislature in One Day
On April 6, the Senate and Assembly passed a comprehensive transportation funding package that it had been unable to do for years, thanks to much deal-making by Gov. Jerry Brown. The gas tax will increase by 12 cents per gallon on November 1.

Road to Infrastructure Bill May Run Through Freedom Caucus
Much talked about Trump infrastructure bill has yet to be written, but the president's failure to pass a health care bill in the House has drawn Congress watchers' attention to the Freedom Caucus and the impact they may have an infrastructure bill.
Memphis's Four-Point Plan to Eliminate Blight
Memphis hopes its coordinated action plan on blight can be a model for cities nationwide.

Property Values in a Changing Chicago
Chicago has long struggled with segregation and great disparities between neighborhoods; to understand what's happening in its property markets, the city must be explored on a neighborhood level.

New York Affordable Developers Pool Resources
Non-profit developers are joining forces to increase their buying power in the pricey New York housing market.

How Seattle Is Curbing the Power of Neighborhood Groups
In Seattle, City Hall wants to open the neighborhood planning process to new demographics. The changes have rattled traditional neighborhood councils.

More Evidence for a Link Between Transit and Home Values
Judging from a statistical analysis by Redfin, there is in fact a positive correlation between home values and transit access. But that only applies in areas where transit and walking are already common modes.
Infill Development is Key to Meeting California's Emission Reduction Law
If California is going to meet the new, steep emissions reductions required by a law passed last September, one of the most effective strategies will be to promote infill housing, according to a new report from University of California at Berkeley.

A Glimpse Into The Past On The Streets of Long Beach
Viewers installed throughout downtown Long Beach gives visitors a glimpse into the city's past.
Gas Tax Increases Have Their Limits
Even if newly revised transportation legislation supported by Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic leaders to raise fuel taxes and fees should pass into law, the funding mechanism may not prove sustainable in the long term.

Is Payless ShoeSource Bankruptcy a Sign of the Coming 'Retail Apocalypse'?
The latest Chapter 11 in a familiar story.

St. Louis Taking an Electric Bus for a Test Drive
St. Louis will have electric buses running around town for a week, but that doesn't mean the city's residents should expect a massive rollout of the buses anytime soon.

Bus Rapid Transit In Name Only
San Diego provides a case study for how bus rapid transit sometimes fails to meet the standards befitting its name.
How Astoria, Oregon Turned its WWII-Era Armory Building Into a Success Story
Despite its plaint and utilitarian exterior, Astorians knew they had something special in a former military building containing a large open interior free of support columns space with a domed lamella ceiling. Now, it's a center of the community.
Boston Gaining a New Underpass Park
By summer, the empty and derelict land beneath the Southeast Expressway in Boston's South End will become and active, art-filled park.

New Graphic Novel 'No Small Plans' Aims to Inspire Teens
A new graphic novel has magic to stir blood.

Ten Ways to Frame Constructive Housing Messages
There are lots of arguments available for people that want to oppose new housing projects, but what are a few guiding principles for framing a supportive and constructive housing conversation?

The Case for Dam Removal
Where aging infrastructure is concerned, most of us don't immediately think of old dams. But there are a lot of them. Environmental advocates want to see them go, and in recent years de-damming has picked up speed.

Friday Fun: An Interactive Tool That Explains Floor Area Ratio
The Center for Urban Pedagogy's latest tool provides an easy and fun way to explain a difficult but critical concept: floor area ratio.
Pagination
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.