The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Law-Abiding Cyclists
Contrary to the opinion of many, cyclists do a better job versus drivers of obeying traffic laws

When the U.S. Economy Is 'Too Strong' to Spend on Infrastructure
A low unemployment rate means major investments by the federal government could ultimately harm the economy.
Amtrak Suffers Third Fatal Crash in Less than Two Months
The crash in Cayce, South Carolina on Sunday killed the engineer and conductor riding in the Amtrak locomotive, injuring over 100 passengers and crew members. A locked switch had directed Amtrak #91 into a siding where it hit a parked CSX train.

Most California Cities Now Subject to State-Mandated Development Streamlining
Given that 97 percent of California cities aren't meeting their housing targets, SB 35, last year's landmark "by-right" housing bill, now applies to projects that contain varying amounts of affordable units.

There Will Be No Bus Rapid Transit in the Silicon Valley
Local politicians and the public had years to review a proposal that would create dedicated lanes for bus service along El Camino as it cuts through the region. The project found very little support.

Explained: The Risks Facing the 2020 Census
Why some experts are very concerned that Census 2020 will fail the democracy that depends on it.

An Argument Against VMT Fees as Replacements for Gas Taxes
Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) fees are a bad way to pay for roads, according to an article by Joe Cortright.

HUD Mulling Work Requirements and Higher Rents for Housing Assistance
More details of the Trump Administration's agenda at the Department of Housing and Urban Development were revealed late last week.

Sprawl and Stagnation—Housing Growth and its Discontents
Mapping housing production over the decades since the 1960s reveals a pattern that must be shifted to achieve the housing growth needed to face the economic and environmental challenges of the 21st century.

State Legislation Would Clear CEQA Obstructions for Road and Transit Projects
One legislator believes CEQA "is a key barrier to California meeting its ambitious climate change goals.”
Road Closures and Lawsuits: Local Roads Cause a Legal Controversy in New Jersey
It's a familiar story: local residents don't want commuters cutting through their neighborhoods, and commuters are pushing back.

A Progressive Gas Tax?
One of the criticisms of gas taxes is that it is regressive, i.e., everyone pays the same per-gallon price. A Mississippi legislator has a solution: Eliminate the income tax on the lowest income bracket in exchange for hiking the gas tax 12-cents.

USDOT and Waze Partner to Predict Fatal Crashes
USDOT hopes to put decades of data collection to new use preventing fatal collisions by predicting when they might occur.

Urban Design for Medical Students
A co-curricular program at a Philadelphia medical school integrates public health and city planning.

Road Diet, Protected Bike Lane Coming to the Heart of Sacramento
Major changes are coming to one of Sacramento's busiest commercial and commuting corridors.

Berkeley Mayor Condemns Legislation to Increase Housing Density by Transit
Mayor Jesse Arreguín's charges about permissible heights, demolition of rent-controlled housing and displacement that would result from Senate Bill 827 by Sen. Wiener are refuted in the Berkeleyside article, though the latter two have resonance.

Upping the Ante on the Brooklyn Navy Yard
A new $2.5 billion building plan could reshape the Brooklyn Navy Yard, again.

Why Housing Messaging Backfires
Despite decades of our raising the issue of displacement in the face of rising rents, many Americans still do not see this as a call-to-action or a failure of public policy. Here is why our housing messaging may be backfiring.

Columbus' Planning Agenda Combines Land Use and Transportation
A discussion of the ongoing Regional Corridor Analysis, expected for completion later this year.

Transit to Star in the Super Bowl
Minneapolis officials are touting Super Bowl LII as "the most transit-reliant Super Bowl ever played."
Pagination
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
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.