The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Bicycle Friendly States: Massachusetts Tops the List
For the first time since the League of American Bicyclists started ranking states for bicycle friendly practices and policies in 2008, Washington State does not appear at the top of the list.
Report: San Diego Density Bonus Has Created Hundreds of Affordable Units
Going above and beyond California’s state-level housing density bonus law, San Diego launched its own program to encourage developers to build more affordable units.
BLOG POST
Urban Village Planning Checklist
Urban villages can maximize accessibility and inclusivity, helping residents be healthy, wealthy, and happy. Here are specific targets for planning them.
One Year of E-Scooters in Seattle
The city’s shared e-scooter program has proved popular, seeing more than eight times as many rides as its bike share system.
Report: Affordable Housing a Crisis Nationwide
According to data from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, no U.S. state or metro area has an ‘adequate supply’ of housing for the lowest-income households.
Controversy Follows California's Massive Desalination Plant Proposal
Poseidon Water, a massive desalination project proposed for the Pacific coast in Huntington Beach, has been in the works for more than two decades. A critical vote is expected for the project next month.
How Renewable Projects Are Threatening a Crucial Carbon Sink
The sprawling Mojave Desert plays a key role in carbon sequestration, storing around 10 percent of California’s carbon. But the fragile ecosystem is threatened by large-scale renewable energy projects.
Atlanta Introduces Electric Buses
In a nod to Earth Day, MARTA added three electric buses to its transit fleet this week, with plans to expand the electric fleet to 12 buses.
Rural States Refusing Federal Housing Aid
Rural states like Nebraska, Montana, and West Virginia have refused federal funding to aid vulnerable renters during the economic shocks of the pandemic, and that money is now headed to other parts of the country.
PLANOPEDIA
What Is Area Median Income?
Frequently used to determine eligibility for housing assistance programs, Area Median Income measures the midpoint of an area’s income distribution.
A Somber Earth Day Finding
Polling from CBS News/YouGuv shows an inverse relationship between the economy and the environment. A year ago, 56% of respondents rated climate change as an urgent issue. Today's Earth Day finding shows it at 49% as doubts grow about the economy.
Opinion: U.S. Must Prioritize Safety for Non-Drivers
The rise in cyclist and pedestrian deaths in the United States points to preventable failures in road design and regulations.
Charleston Launches Affordable Housing Dashboard
The city’s new online tool shares information about affordable housing projects to help stakeholders understand where and how affordable housing is being built and distributed.
Climate Change Increasingly a Risk to the Country's Most Endangered Rivers
Conservation advocacy group American Rivers has ranked the Colorado River, ravaged by drought and mismanagement, as the most endangered river in the United States.
Updated: Proposed Parking Reforms Spark Controversy in Dallas
An ordinance under consideration by the Dallas City Council would change the parking requirements in the zoning code to allow for more density in exchange for affordable housing.
The Disparate Racial Impacts of Commute Times
Commute times vary significantly depending on race, according to a recent study. The consequences of the imbalance have very real social and economic effects for already marginalized racial groups.
Housing Scarcity in Rural America
With the growth of ‘Zoom towns’ and the sharply rising demand for small-town living, rural communities are facing pressure to maintain housing affordability for long-time residents and boost housing production.
The Waning Influence Of NIMBYism
After two generations, for reasons large and small, opponents of growth and housing in California are steadily losing power. That's good news for planners and planning.
How A.I. Can Promote Vision Zero
Forget self-driving cars—some low-cost artificial intelligence tools can improve traffic safety now.
Where Redlining and Oil and Gas Drilling Intersect
Research shows neighborhoods historically redlined by the federal government have twice as many oil and gas extraction projects as “desirable” neighborhoods.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
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.
