The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Plaque with City Hall engraved

What Is the Best Way To Run a City?

City management models offer different benefits and drawbacks.

December 13 - Governing

Row of white two-story townhomes with black trim

When Zoning Reform Isn’t Enough: How To Boost Missing Middle Housing

For upzoning efforts to result in a significant rise in new housing units, cities and states must do more than just change zoning codes to ensure missing middle housing is easy and affordable to build.

December 13 - Terner Center for Housing Innovation

Metro Transit Minneapolis

Minneapolis Leans Into Bus Rapid Transit

The city wants to become North America’s ‘bus rapid transit capital.’

December 13 - Governing

Boarded-up facade of vacant brick building in CIncinnati, Ohio

Ohio to Demolish Thousands of Vacant Buildings

The state is funding a $150 million effort to raze blighted buildings to accelerate revitalization.

December 13 - The Center Square

Screeenshot of Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) tool from CDC

Using Data to Identify and Prioritize the Most Vulnerable

The Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) is a resource that can be used by public agencies to identify parts of a community that are most in need of investment.

December 13 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog


Helicopter flying over New York City with Empire State Building visible on left

Helicopter Noise Complaints Surge in New York

Residents argue the city and state must do more to regulate the hundreds of flights that criss-cross the area on a daily basis.

December 13 - StreetsBlog NYC

Bus bench with "armrests" to prevent lying down

PLANOPEDIA

What Is Defensive Urbanism?

If you’ve ever noticed a public bench split in half by a metal bar, or a series of seemingly ornamental boulders blocking the sidewalk under a high-rise overhang, you’ve seen what is often described as defensive urbanism or ‘hostile architecture.’

December 12 - Diana Ionescu


Playground

How Big Data Informs Park Planning

Data analysis and research by national organizations are helping to ensure equitable distribution and provision of parks and recreational facilities.

December 12 - On Common Ground

Detroit, Michigan

Placemaking Redefined by a New Era of Federal Investment

Six tips for ensuring that new placed-based funding programs, such as the Build Back Better Regional Challenge, achieve the full potential of a new era of place-based federal investment.

December 12 - Brookings

Volunteers wearing masks moving pallets of water bottles during February 2021 storm in Austin, Texas

How Mutual Aid Increases Community Resiliency

Recent devastating weather events highlight the importance of community connection in keeping people safe when infrastructure fails.

December 12 - Next City

Bus Priority Zones

Chicago Makes ‘Pop-Up’ Bus Lanes Permanent

Even with the addition of 3.5 miles of permanent bus-only lanes, Chicago trails other cities in miles of dedicated bus lanes.

December 12 - Streetsblog Chicago

Baltimore Rail

Baltimore’s Red Line Rail Project Back on the Table Thanks to New Governor

One of the most infamously anti-transit decisions of the past decade—Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s decision to cancel the Baltimore Red Line system expansion—could be reversed by the incoming governor.

December 12 - Bloomberg CityLab

New York Street

New York City’s Tree Map Gets More Data

The online tool now shows granular, tree-level data that highlights the public health benefits and economic contributions of urban trees.

December 12 - Bloomberg CityLab

A computer generated graphic of a man loading 2022, approaching 2023.

FEATURE

Planetizen's Top Posts of 2022

The most popular articles on Planetizen in 2022.

December 12 - James Brasuell

View of Los Angeles skyline at sunrise with yellow and green trees in foreground

The Importance of Restoring Degraded Lands in Los Angeles County

The L.A. County Board of Supervisors just approved the Parks Needs Assessment Plus (PNA+), which highlights the need for transforming degraded lands such as landfills and oil fields into parks and open spaces, particularly in underserved communities.

December 11 - Spectrum News 1

View of snowy Union Station building in Cincinnati, Ohio

Ohio Debates Expanded Rail Service

The state has the chance to apply for a piece of $2.3 billion in federal funding to improve and expand Amtrak service.

December 11 - Governing

CHicago elevated train passing by brick buildings

Chicago Transit Faces Steep Budget Gap

The region’s transit riders could see major fare hikes and reduced service if agencies don’t find new ways to make up for reduced fare revenues.

December 11 - Smart Cities Dive

New York City Construction

New York Mayor Announces ‘Get Stuff Built’ Housing Plan

Mayor Adams says the new plan will cut building processes by 50 percent to accelerate badly needed housing construction, but parts of the proposal still face hurdles to get approved.

December 11 - City of New York

Oakland fire truck

Bike Lanes Pitted Against Fire Safety in Oakland

The city’s fire department is pushing back on proposed bike lanes and narrower streets, citing concerns about emergency access.

December 9 - Oaklandside

Cyclist on bike path in Portland, Oregon with bridge over river and city skyline in background.

Oregon Could Launch E-Bike Rebate Program

If approved by the state legislature, a $6 million program would help fund the purchase of e-bikes, helmets, and other accessories.

December 9 - Smart Cities Dive

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.