The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Silver Houston Metro bus on dedicated lane.

Houston Metro to Reduce BRT Service

The city’s Silver Line rapid transit has not been attracting as many riders as originally projected.

April 29 - Houston Chronicle

Aerial view of Annapolis, Maryland with state capitol dome in foreground.

Maryland Housing Laws Address Housing Shortage, Establish Renter Protections

An ambitious housing package establishes a Renters Bill of Rights and removes barriers to increased housing production.

April 29 - Office of Governor Wes Moore

Houses on green hillside in Marin County, California

Judge's Ruling Deals Blow to California's Zoning Reform Law

Five California cities have won a lawsuit against the state over SB 9, a law passed in 2021 that effectively abolished single family zoning statewide.

April 29 - Marin Independent Journal

Intersection on Manhattan street with yellow cabs and black cars waiting for stoplight.

NYC Congestion Pricing to Start June 30, MTA Announces

Starting this summer, drivers will have to pay a toll to drive through the newly designated Congestion Relief Zone in New York City’s Central Business District.

April 29 - ABC7 Eyewitness News

One-story bungalow court complex in Pasadena, California with leafy green palm trees.

LA Parking Reform is Bearing Fruit

Changes to minimum parking requirements near transit lines are spurring more residential development with little or no on-site parking.

April 28 - LAist


Close-up of electricity meter on house with sunset light in background.

Feds Issue New Energy Efficiency Standards for Affordable Housing

The new standards are expected to lower energy costs for low-income households.

April 28 - Bloomberg CityLab

Bus Service

Philly Free Transit Pilot Clocks 1.8 Million Rides

A two-year pilot program from SEPTA offers free fares to 25,000 low-income riders.

April 28 - Next City


The front of a purple and gray train running along track with a rail crossing signal on the right.

Second Massachusetts Town Spurns State TOD Zoning Mandate

Marshfield residents voted down a rezoning plan that would have met state requirements for the town to allow development of multifamily housing near MBTA stations.

April 28 - The Patriot Ledger

People gathered in front of US Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C.

Will Supreme Court Case Lead to Lower Impact Fees — or Just More Studies?

Everybody seems to think that the recent case from California could lead to dramatically lower fees — and lower housing costs. But that's not what the court decided.

April 26 - California Planning & Development Report

Large mound of food waste separated for composting.

Organic Waste Raising Methane Emissions From Landfills

Landfills are an overlooked but significant source of greenhouse gas emissions.

April 26 - Governing

Illustrated map of building plats

New York State Attorney General Calls Out Town for Potential Religious Land Use Discrimination

Hasidic Orthodox Jewish developers allege the town of Forestburgh, New York, altered zoning regulations to dissuade them from building homes on a site that had received previous approval under different ownership; state officials appear to agree.

April 26 - Times Union

Aerial direct overhead view of I-35 freeway in Austin, Texas

Study: Higher Freeway Speeds Increase Crashes on Adjacent Roads

Interstate speed limits can have an impact beyond their own lanes.

April 25 - Streetsblog USA

Aerial view of Oakland, California with bay in background

Street Safety Improvements Coming to the Bay Area

State and local officials are zeroing in on some of the region’s most dangerous streets and transit corridors.

April 25 - The Mercury News

A Metro Los Angeles bus driver is behind the wheel while wearing a mask.

LA to Pilot Bus-Mounted Cameras for Parking Violations

The program is designed to cut down on cars illegally parked in bus lanes.

April 25 - Los Angeles Times

Colorado State Capitol Building

Colorado Bill Would Tie Transportation Funding to TOD

The proposed law would require cities to meet certain housing targets near transit or risk losing access to a key state highway fund.

April 25 - Colorado Public Radio

Grand Rapids Passes Zoning Reform Package

The new rules aim to make it easier to build small multifamily housing developments.

April 25 - M Live

Texas

Dallas Surburb Bans New Airbnbs

Plano’s city council banned all new permits for short-term rentals as concerns about their impacts on housing costs grow.

April 25 - FOX 4 News

Divvy Chicago

Divvy Introduces E-Bike Charging Docks

New, circular docks let e-bikes charge at stations, eliminating the need for frequent battery swaps.

April 25 - Streetsblog Chicago

Freeway sign with "severe weather - use caution" over multilane freeway in rainy weather.

How Freeway Projects Impact Climate Resilience

In addition to displacement and public health impacts, highway expansions can also make communities less resilient to flooding and other climate-related disasters.

April 25 - Transportation for America

Wind turbines and solar panels against a backdrop of mountains in the Mojave Desert near Palm Springs, California

California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours

The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.

April 24 - Fast Company

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