The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Ohio Supreme Court Comes to the Rescue of Municipal Golf in Cincinnati

The Ohio Supreme Court had to intervene in the complicated issue of municipal golf courses managed by private operators. In the end, Cincinnati's municipal golf courses will keep their property tax exemptions.

February 23 - Cincinnati Enquirer

Loan Program Provides Gentrification Defense Near Chicago's 606 Bike Trail

That beautiful new bike lane, known as the 606, in Chicago has brought along with it local concerns about gentrification. The city and a local non-profit have teamed up to create a loan program to help current residents stay ahead of the curve.

February 23 - DNAinfo Chicago

'Rust Belt Riders' Grow New Composting Service in Cleveland

Waste management and composting take an entrepreneurial twist through Cleveland millennials' burgeoning home-grown business.

February 23 - CEOs for Cities Blog

Accessibility

BLOG POST

Tip of the Iceberg: Seeking Real Accessibility in Community Engagement

Do modern accessibility regulations go far enough to ensure fair access to all community members for public engagement activities? How can we design our planning processes to reach the broadest demographic?

February 23 - Dave Biggs

Sacramento Region Approves New Transportation Plan

The Sacramento Area Council of Governments put the finishing touches on the 2016 update to the Metropolitan Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (2016 MTP/SCS) last week.

February 23 - Sacramento Business Journal


Kentucky Governor Rules Out Bridge Tolls — Could Jeopardize Federal Funding

Gas taxes and road and bridge tolls are not very popular, but important nonetheless. Gov. Matt Bevin (R) will sign a bill that prohibits tolls on a new Ohio River bridge, and might also endanger federal funding.

February 23 - Cincinnati Enquirer

Angry Public Meeting

9 Ways to Ruin a Community Meeting

An article in CityLab says organizers and facilitators should avoid a few simple mistakes to help improve community meetings.

February 23 - CityLab


Study: Location Matters for Farmers' Markets

Research conducted in Flint, Michigan, found that changing the location of the local farmers' market had a dramatic effect in how residents shopped.

February 23 - NPR

Urban Planning Model

Has Planning Become Too Rational?

A recent study describes the evolution of planning has become far too sensitive to government thinking (i.e., fiscal conservatism and economic logic) instead of the emotional processes of citizens.

February 23 - Next City

National Safety Council Reports Huge Jump in 2015 Traffic Fatalities

According to preliminary estimates from the National Safety Council, 38,300 people were killed on U.S. roads in 2015, an 8 percent jump from 2014. In fact, the annual increase is the most in half a century. Note that the figure differs from NHTSA's.

February 22 - National Safety Council

Brooklyn's Tallest Proposed Building Has Date With Landmarks Preservation Commission

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the 1,066-foot building is what distinguishes it from other high rises of its size across the East River—it will be residential.

February 22 - The New York Times

Citizen's Carbon Tax Initiative Goes Before Washington State Senate

A group that calls itself Carbon Washington could be at the helm of a new environmental movement to address climate change. They have proposed a $25-per-ton, revenue-neutral carbon tax.

February 22 - Seattle Weekly

A Change of Direction for California High-Speed Rail

In the face of political opposition and mounting construction costs in Southern California, the state High-Speed Rail Authority has chosen to build north from the Central Valley to San Jose rather than south from Fresno to the San Fernando Valley.

February 22 - Los Angeles Times

Empty Parking Lot

The Continuing Story of the High Costs of Free Parking

A new study has found that despite higher monetary incentives, most commuters won't ditch their cars as long as their parking remains free.

February 22 - CityLab

Copenhagen

Compromise and an Engaged Public: Lessons From Copenhagen

Copenhagen is often cited as the world’s most livable city—a city characterized by bicycles and shared open spaces. But the road to get there has required compromise among politicians and an active and engaged community.

February 22 - Next City

San Francisco Bay bridge and Treasure Island aerial view

The Lost Art of Great Infrastructure in America

Writing in the New York Times, Allison Arieff asks what happened to the great works of public infrastructure from years past that stand as today's monuments to America’s achievements.

February 22 - The New York Times

Detroit - Renaissance Center

The Portrayal of Detroit Through 'Ruin Porn' Fails To Tell The Full Story

Do the stylized pictures of crumbling edifices and the recent incorporation of a vacant home in an art show do a disservice to the residents—mostly poor and black—who still call Detroit home?

February 22 - The Guardian

Lots of Positive Signs for Pittsburgh in 2016

Good news for Pittsburgh, which is now officially reversing decades of Rust Belt trends.

February 22 - Pittsburgh Today

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Hoverboards Unsafe Until Regulated

The federal government will implement safety protocols for the popular new personal mobility device known as hoverboards. Hoverboards are deemed officially unsafe until the industry complies with the new regulations.

February 22 - Mashable

Sunday Service: New York Considers Church Parking Lots for Affordable Housing

The de Blasio Administration is getting creative in looking for sites to develop affordable housing. One potential idea: church parking lots.

February 21 - DNAInfo

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