The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Outdoor dining with bright green chairs on a sidewalk in Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore Sets Guidelines for Permanent Parklet Program

With pandemic-era parklet regulations set to expire on June 30, the city is launching a new, permanent set of guidelines for outdoor dining and other uses of curbside space.

May 3 - Baltimore Sun

Redevelopment

Anti-Displacement Measures for Brownfield Developments

A series of reports published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Smart Growth America highlights tools and policies that can help mitigate displacement pressure when recovering and developing brownfields around the United States.

May 2 - Smart Growth America

Seattle, Washington

The City Beyond Amazon's ‘Great Return’

In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe explains how, as the Amazon (and other) “Great Returns” to the office unfold, it's essential to dig deeper.

May 2 - GeekWire

Close-up of Sunset Empire Transportation District bus in Astoria, Oregon

Oregon Transit District Suspends Service Indefinitely

Facing a budget deficit, the Sunset Empire Transportation District ended its services on Sunday, leaving transit-dependent riders with few options.

May 2 - Mass Transit

Self-driving white Waymo Jaguar SUV on street in Chandler, Arizona

How Self-Driving Cars Are Integrating—or Not—Into the Urban Fabric

As they become more common on some U.S. streets, autonomous vehicles are impeding emergency response operations and blocking traffic, idling in neighborhoods, and defying law enforcement.

May 2 - Arizona Republic


Pink light before morning dawn sun reflects on clouds over downtown Nashville TN

Tennessee Approves Toll Lanes as Part of Transportation Package

Despite decades of resistance to tolling highway lanes, the Tennessee legislature passed a bill that authorizes the creation of ‘choice lanes.’

May 2 - Governing

Ottawa

Ottawa’s New Transportation Master Plan Sets 20-Year Planning Priorities

Canada’s capital city recently completed the first step toward adopting a new Transportation Master Plan.

May 2 - City of Ottawa


 Old sugar factory in Domino Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York

BLOG POST

Bitter Irony Behind Brooklyn’s Sweet Domino Sugar Sign

A new feature on the Brooklyn waterfront is a reminder that Domino Sugar has made several unsavory appearances in the history of Puerto Rican communities.

May 2 - Mark H. McNulty

A proposed cross section of a center-running, protected bus lane.

D.C. Fare-Free Transit Program Could Come at the Expense of the K Street Transitway

When presented with a choice between investing in improved service or funding a fare-free program, the D.C. Council is choosing fare-free transit, and potentially overriding the wishes of the mayor.

May 2 - The Washington Post

View of Los Angeles skyline on sunny day with palm trees in foreground

Los Angeles Finalizing Three Long-Awaited Community Plan Updates

Los Angeles is poised to approve a trio of long-planned zoning code updates—for the neighborhoods of Boyle Heights, Downtown, and Hollywood—as the first test cases for a new citywide zoning code update known as re:code LA.

May 1 - Urbanize LA

Unpaved road through Owens Lake bed with Sierra Nevada mountains in the background

California Braces for Floods After Historic Winter Storms

Emerging from a years-long drought, the state now faces significant flood risks as temperatures rise and the abundant snowpack begins to melt.

May 1 - Los Angeles Times

Blur image of patients in a hospital waiting area.

Report: Poor Access to Transportation Linked to Missed Healthcare

One in five Americans with limited access to transit and no vehicle have to forego medical appointments.

May 1 - Smart Cities Dive

A rendering shows key features of the zoning code for a mid-rise apartment building.

Boise’s New Zoning Code Cleared for City Council Approval

The Boise Planning Commission gave its approval to a new zoning code for the city of Boise. The City Council is expected to consider the draft zoning code in June.

May 1 - Boise State Public Radio

Texas Capitol Building

Bill Legalizing ADUs Passes Texas Senate

If passed by the full state legislature, the bill would eliminate local restrictions on ‘mother-in-law’ units.

May 1 - FOX 4 News

Texas

Dallas Plan Would Spend $400 Million to Support Affordable Housing

A proposed bond referendum would be the city’s largest-ever affordable housing investment.

May 1 - NBC DFW

A map of the area of Virginia near Occoquan, Virginia shows. stretch of Interstate 95 that will be widened.

I-95 Widening Breaks Ground in Virginia

A mile-and-a-half-long section of Interstate 95, which handles 80,000 vehicle trips a day, will be expanded in Virginia. The project includes a new shoulder, lighting, and noise walls.

May 1 - WTOP

Old wood demolition waste, from destruction or renovation of buildings in a container on a work site in a street with a house. Wooden beams to be recycled into new building materials

The Link Between Circular Building, Affordability, and Sustainability

A growing movement seeks to reduce waste in the construction industry and focus on the long-term impact of building materials.

May 1 - Wired

Many people on bikes riding on city street during CicLAvia event in Pasadena, California

Los Angeles County to Update Bike Master Plan

The plan will serve as a guide for the development of safe and accessible bikeways and paths within unincorporated areas of L.A. County and along County flood control district channels.

April 30 - Los Angeles County Public Works

White electric bike logo on asphalt

California E-Bike Rebate Takes Shape

The California Air Resources Board plans to launch an e-bike incentive program later this year.

April 30 - Streetsblog California

Historic Downtown Frederick Maryland sign in downtown area.

Maryland City Reveals Draft Form-Based Code

With the new zoning code, Frederick aims to shift away from use-based zoning regulations.

April 30 - City of Frededick

Post News

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.