The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

New Hampshire Wants Commuter Rail to Boston

A strong coalition is pushing for a $4 million planning effort to lay the tracks for commuter rail between New Hampshire and Boston.

March 2 - New Hampshire Business Review

The Negative Effects of the Nation's Lengthening Commute

The collective amount of time Americans spend commuting is staggering, and it's only growing.

March 2 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

International Bike Count: Spain's Ridership Growing Fastest

Between 2014 and 2015, Spain led 16 other countries by increasing its bicycle mode share the most—8 percent.

March 2 - Next City

Local Preservation Board Wins Appeal in Seattle Development Battle

A development controversy in Seattle raises larger questions about land use regulation authority.

March 2 - The Seattle Times

City Hall

Too Many Chiefs; Not Enough Authority

A newly hired cohort of chief bicycle officers is only the latest example of "title inflation," according to an article in Governing magazine.

March 2 - Governing


Maryland Bills Push Back on Anti-Transit Governor

Maryland legislators are considering a rating system for transportation projects recently approved in Virginia. The bill would also check the power of the state's governor in killing project proposals.

March 2 - Greater Greater Washington

Boston T

Late-Night Transit Going Out of Service in Boston

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority board voted to shut down late night transit service on the T this week, finding that ridership did not justify the cost of the long operation hours.

March 2 - The Boston Globe


Connecting Budgets to Visions for More Livable Cities

Brent Toderian barnstormed Edmonton, Canada recently, giving the city an A+ for policy aspirations and a D- in budgetary prioritization. That sounds like a problem in many other cities as well.

March 2 - Edmonton Journal

2015 Sets New Record for Vehicle Miles Traveled

2007 had set the prior record, which sparked the term, "peak miles driven" or "peak car." Historically low gas prices and an improved economy have fueled more driving, resulting in a record of 3.148 trillion miles driven last year.

March 2 - Federal Highway Administration

Dreaming of a Bike Path on the Western Span of the Bay Bridge

Arup released some very exciting renderings of a proposed pedestrian and bike path on one of the most picturesque and heavily-trafficked spans on the West Coast.

March 1 - The Architect's Newspaper

Viva Las House Flipping

While the practice of flipping houses has not yet returned to its pre-recession levels, one city in particular, is climbing quickly back to peak levels: Las Vegas.

March 1 - Bloomberg Business

GPS Tech Breakthrough Has Big Implications for the Future of Transportation

It's easy to think of GPS technology as a personal navigation device, but the potential for a faster, cheaper GPS technology extends deep into the emerging Internet of Things.

March 1 - CityLab

Making Sense of Community

Most of us Planetizen readers were inadvertently complicit in killing the term "sense of community." Scott Doyon points out where we go from here.

March 1 - PlaceShakers

House Transportation Committee to Explore Sustainable Funding Options

Federal transportation leaders recognize that sustainable transportation funding options are needed to meet America's infrastructure needs. At AASHTO's Annual Washington Briefing, different funding strategies were proposed by key Congress members.

March 1 - AASHTO Journal

For Cities, Industrial Land Matters

When the "highest and best use" of city land...isn't.

March 1 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Bill to Phase-Out Coal Power Advances in Oregon

A bill to phase out coal-powered electricity by 2030 is advancing in the legislature. It would also double the state's renewable portfolio standard to 50 percent by 2040 for Oregon's two largest utilities.

March 1 - Think Progress

Rich Suburban House

Millennials Leaving Their Mark on Suburbia

How will millennial homebuyers change suburbia, or will they? Realtors observe that millennials relocating from the city look for parts of their urban lifestyle, e.g., walkable neighborhoods, yet they also have traditional suburban tastes.

March 1 - Marketplace

In Defense of Sharrows

A response to recent research that cast doubt on the effectiveness of sharrows.

March 1 - Yay Bikes

Pittsburgh Skyline

Black Residents Displaced in Pittsburgh

Rents are on the rise in Pittsburgh, prompting some longtime residents to relocate farther away. Race, as well as class, figures heavily in this narrative.

March 1 - Carnegie Museum of Art Blog

Paris Street; Rainy Day, Gustave Caillebotte, 1877

BLOG POST

Umberto Eco, Planning Education, and Urban Space

The great Italian scholar and novelist's death likely has little meaning for practicing planners, but his literary method might have lasting relevance for planning education and the design of urban space.

February 29 - Dean Saitta

Post News

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.

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.