The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Campaign 2014: Rhode Island Transit Measure

For the first time, Rhode Island voters will be tested on their support for public transit by whether they approve authorizing $35 million for Mass Transit Hub Infrastructure Bonds on Nov. 4. In addition to hubs, statewide bus service is targeted.

October 29 - Transportation for America

Dispute Over Bike Fatality Report

The Governors Highway Safety Association released a report titled Bicyclist Safety showing a surge in bike fatalities since 2010. The report provoked widespread media coverage and, also, strongly critical reactions.

October 29 - Streetsblog USA

Occupy Democracy in Parliament Square

A recent protest movement to reuse London’s Parliament Square as a space for political discourse has been met with oppressive policing.

October 29 - Guardian

Marshaling a Grab for Public Land in the Western United States

Faced with the prospect of states seizing control of federal lands to potentially sell to private owners, a resident of New Mexico argues against "the land grab out west."

October 28 - The New York Times

Seattle's 'Subirdia' Allows Birds to Thrive

According to a book by John Marzluff, "Welcome to Subirdia: Sharing Our Neighborhoods with Wrens, Robins, Woodpeckers, and Other Wildlife," Seattle's greatest diversity of birds lives in its suburbs.

October 28 - The Seattle Times


Now Singing: Route 66 in New Mexico

The pavement along Old Route 66 in New Mexico will now play "America the Beautiful"—but only if you're driving the posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour.

October 28 - ABC News

Housing Affordability Follows Partisan Divide

Recent analysis by Trulia found that the current housing market shows trends that follow along conservative and liberal lines—specifically, that the country's "blue" states are much more expensive than the "red" states.

October 28 - Trulia Trends Blog


U.K. Pins Economic Growth on Metropolitan Areas

A new plan is afoot in Britain that will devolve centralized power away from central government and out into metropolitan areas. Bruce Katz sees lessons for the United States in the experience of United Kingdom.

October 28 - Brookings

The ULI Urban Open Space Award Goes to Klyde Warren Park in Dallas

The ULI has granted its annual award for the best new open space to Klyde Warren Park, a freeway cap park in Dallas.

October 28 - Urban Land Institute

Homeless

Fighting Homelessness by Closing a Commuter Rail Station

The high desert city of Lancaster in northern Los Angeles County has an innovative plan to reduce its homeless population: Close its Metrolink station, the last stop on the Antelope Valley line, that serves 400 commuters daily.

October 28 - The California Report

Bumblebee Bike

The New Wonder Drug? Cycling, Some Advocates Say

Cycling has positive impacts both for cyclists and non-cyclists alike, helping to reduce pollution and congestion and improving health and economic factors with just two wheels.

October 28 - Urbanful

Citi Bike Rack

Confirmed: Alta Bicycle Share Sold

Big news for the business of bikeshare: Alta Bicycle Share will be sold and the Citi Bike fleet will be doubled, according to report.

October 28 - Capital New York

Gentrification

BLOG POST

The False Choice in the Gentrification Debate

The income of original residents is more important to the gentrification debate than any opposition to luxury development or price controls. We need to begin to embed income inequality within the gentrification debate.

October 28 - Reuben Duarte

trax light rail train in foreground, snow-covered mountains in background

How Cities are Overcoming Federal Roadblocks for Transportation Improvements

Tanya Snyder provides a thorough survey of the talking points of five U.S. mayors from a recent Washington Post forum on transportation.

October 27 - Streetsblog USA

Charlotte Suburbs Plan for Balanced Growth

Although growth in Union County outside of Charlotte has subsided, county officials aim to balance a legacy of unplanned growth with new opportunities for commercial development and countywide transportation.

October 27 - Charlotte Observer

Is there a Right Way to Measure Bad Driving?

There isn't one way to measure how badly groups of people (like, say, residents of New Jersey) drive, but there is plenty of data available about how driving often goes terribly wrong.

October 27 - Five Thirty Eight

Cars Still Essential for Economic Opportunity

Recent data shows that workers need cars to access jobs and economic opportunity. What can planners do to expand access to jobs via other alternative modes of transportation?

October 27 - Brookings: The Avenue

Bikeshare's Income Disparity Problem

A new report sheds light on the income gap in the use of bikeshare systems around the world.

October 27 - CityLab

Wild Detroit

$3.2 Million Bid for 6,000 Foreclosed Properties in Detroit Auction

Karin Weise reports that an anonymous bidder will pay $3.2 million to purchase 6,000 foreclose homes in Detroit.

October 27 - Business Week

3.3 Million Electric Cars Expected by 2025

Electric cars are expected to play a key role in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions caused by the country's transportation system. Recent trends around the country indicate increasing adoption of the technology.

October 27 - San Gabriel Valley Tribune

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Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.