The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Making Sense of Community
Most of us Planetizen readers were inadvertently complicit in killing the term "sense of community." Scott Doyon points out where we go from here.
House Transportation Committee to Explore Sustainable Funding Options
Federal transportation leaders recognize that sustainable transportation funding options are needed to meet America's infrastructure needs. At AASHTO's Annual Washington Briefing, different funding strategies were proposed by key Congress members.
For Cities, Industrial Land Matters
When the "highest and best use" of city land...isn't.
Bill to Phase-Out Coal Power Advances in Oregon
A bill to phase out coal-powered electricity by 2030 is advancing in the legislature. It would also double the state's renewable portfolio standard to 50 percent by 2040 for Oregon's two largest utilities.
Millennials Leaving Their Mark on Suburbia
How will millennial homebuyers change suburbia, or will they? Realtors observe that millennials relocating from the city look for parts of their urban lifestyle, e.g., walkable neighborhoods, yet they also have traditional suburban tastes.
In Defense of Sharrows
A response to recent research that cast doubt on the effectiveness of sharrows.
Black Residents Displaced in Pittsburgh
Rents are on the rise in Pittsburgh, prompting some longtime residents to relocate farther away. Race, as well as class, figures heavily in this narrative.
BLOG POST
Umberto Eco, Planning Education, and Urban Space
The great Italian scholar and novelist's death likely has little meaning for practicing planners, but his literary method might have lasting relevance for planning education and the design of urban space.
How Schools Can Address Idling Cars
Schools can do more to reduce the environmental threat posed by idling cars during drop-off or pick-up. School districts could also improve their buses with that aim in mind.
Brooklyn Queens Streetcar Hopes to Learn from D.C. Streetcar's Mistakes
The long-awaited opening of the D.C. Streetcar on Feb. 27 brings time for reflection on Mayor Bill de Blasio's proposed $2.5 billion Brooklyn Queens Connector, part streetcar, part light rail. D.C.'s line took a decade of planning and construction.
BLOG POST
The Changing Nature of Retail: The Impact of Online Shopping on Cities
As consumers increasingly buy online, technology is changing the shape of our cities, reducing demand for retail space, increasing freight congestion, and leaving parking lots empty.
Tech Sector Makes Inroads in Portland
Low prices and a less frenetic working environment are drawing tech employees to Portland, Oregon. Gentrification may loom, but along with it may come expanded economic opportunities for the city and state.
'The Road Taken' Uncovers the Civil Engineer's Hand in Building America's Roads
Nathan Masters reviews the new book by historian Henry Petroski, "The Road Taken," a historical look at America's roads and the civil engineers who built them.
When Other Transit Modes Won't Do, There's Always Sky Gondolas
One Toronto-area man is hoping that cable cars in the sky will one day complete the metro's transit system, but transportation experts see limited use for the technology.
D.C. Streetcar Began Service Saturday (Seriously!)
Yes, this is the real deal. After years of delay and planning and construction mishaps, the long-awaited $200 million, 2.2 mile line streetcar line down H Street began service Saturday. Not all media were kind to the streetcar, even on opening day.
Gehry Partners Opens Up on Los Angeles River Progress
When Frank Gehry's involvement in the L.A. River restoration was announced in August 2015, the firm had already been conducting research on the project for nearly a year. For some time after that, details were scant and speculation abounded.
Cities Preparing for the Worst as the Emerald Ash Borer Comes to Town
A tiny insect, native to Asia, has been killing trees in huge numbers around the United States since 2002. With the emerald ash borer expected to spread, cities are trying to prepare to combat the worst of the devastation.
How San Antonio Is Working Toward Vision Zero
A post on the Rivard Report details the efforts underway in San Antonio, Texas, to reduce traffic fatalities.
In Chicago: Faster Trains, Faster Trips
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has eliminated 20 miles of slow zones since 2011.
Raleigh Bikeshare Debate Intensifies
Opposition to a bikeshare proposal in Raleigh, North Carolina, centers on whether enough people will use the system to justify its cost.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
Tyler Technologies
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.
