The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Governor's Veto Gives Locals Control Over 5G Infrastructure in California
A bill designed to streamline the implementation of 5G Internet infrastructure onto public poles and lights has been vetoed by California Governor Jerry Brown.

Power Shifts to Cities in San Diego County's Embattled Regional Planning Agency
Larger cities in California's second most populous county will be given more power thanks to a bill that reforms the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). One result may be that more public transit measures appear on the ballot.

New Commuter Train Comes Through for Fire-Ravaged Santa Rosa
Sonoma-Marin Rail Transit (SMART) has been operating almost continuously at full schedule, collecting no fares since the epic wildfires began in Sonoma County on Oct. 8. Two stations in the fire-zone are shut down due to lack of access.

Bikelash Reaches a Whole New Level
A Minneapolis bike lane protest sets a new bar for opposition to bike lanes—Godwin's law was definitely in play.

Where's the Concern About Spiking Traffic Fatalities?
Traffic fatalities are increasing faster than any time since the 1960s, but it's hard to notice much concern from the United States.

Rents Drop for the Second Consecutive Quarter in Washington, D.C.
A large amount of new rental units have come online in recent months in Washington, D.C., and the housing market has seen a surprising amount of upheaval as a result.

BLOG POST
The Problem With Externalities
By defining "externalities" as impacts of private conduct, economists and lawyers bias public discussion in favor of government regulation.

Are Massive Portfolios for Real Estate Investment Trusts Bad for Neighborhoods?
Nashville stakeholders are increasingly concerned by a post-Recession wave of real estate investment trusts buying up all the housing stock in neighborhoods gutted by the foreclosure crisis. The trend extends to other Sun Belt cities as well.

FEATURE
Autonomous Vehicles and Urban Contexts: It's Time to Engage All Stakeholders
At the 2017 Autonomous Vehicle Symposium, a group of experts were asked to predict the effects of autonomous vehicles in two case study communities, and to generate a list of proposed policy actions to prepare for a future of autonomous vehicles.

Obesity Tied to Suburban Life
London-based study ties obesity to sprawl and finds that suburbs have a bigger obesity problem than rural areas.

$1.7 Billion Project to Replace Critical Rail Crossing in New Jersey Underway
New Jersey's 107-year-old Portal Bridge has been a symbol of the region's crumbling rail infrastructure. A $1.7 billion project to replace the bridge, launched this week, is designed to improve the situation.

Density Debate Boils Over in Southern California's Third Largest City
The city of Long Beach's draft Land Use Element has provoked political forces that would like to cap the growth of the city.

A Playbook for Supply-Side Housing Affordability Solutions
The word YIMBY isn't used in the McKinsey Global Institute's new supply-side toolkit for housing affordability, but YIMBYs will like this it anyway.

Riverview Corridor Streetcar Passes Major Hurdle, Still a Long Way Off in the Twin Cities
An oversight committee has approved the Locally Preferred Alternative for the Review Corridor Streetcar project that will connect Downtown St. Paul to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

More Bad News From the U.S. Census: Economic Census Delayed Six Months
A budget shortfall for Census 2020 has already claimed one victim: the timely delivery of the five-year Economic Census.

'Housing Insights' Mapping Tool Designed to Preserve Subsidized Housing in D.C.
The Housing Insights team of volunteer civic hackers hopes you'll use their software in other cities, too.
8 Tips for Suburban Placemaking
Suburban areas looking to improve public places can try following this advice.

Chicago CTA Expands Hard Back Seat Pilot, Seeking to Avoid Wet Surprises
Chicago trains and buses have long had dark cloth coverings, which can hide liquids and make for unpleasant experiences for riders.

The Cost of a Well-Maintained Urban Tree Canopy Is Actually Pretty Cheap
In terms of its public health benefits, a flourishing tree canopy is practically priceless.

Ranking the Safest Cities in the World—Tokyo Leads the List
The Economist's Intelligence Unit has released its 2017 Safe Cities Index.
Pagination
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
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