The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Los Angeles Sets Vision Zero Target for 2025*

The mayor of Los Angeles followed the lead of cities like New York and San Francisco in setting Vision Zero targets for traffic fatalities by the year 2025. The question remains: Will it be done?

August 27 - LA Streetsblog

Tacoma Residents Reject Up-Zoning Proposals

A suite of zoning changes under consideration by the Tacoma Planning Commission provoked its "most well-attended" hearing in decades.

August 27 - The News Tribune

Los Angeles Downtown Historic Core

Study Reveals a 'Bull Market for City Centers'

If housing prices were tracked like the stock market, urban cores would be soaring to new highs.

August 27 - City Commentary

Global Call for Ideas Reveals Promising Resilience Solutions

Superstorm Sandy spurred the New York City Economic Development Corporation to form the RISE:NYC program, a global competition for innovative solutions to post-disaster resiliency. Arup's Sarah Wesseler spoke with them to learn more.

August 27 - Doggerel

California Strategic Growth Council Revising Guidelines for Cap-and-Trade Grants

California recently awarded more than $1.2 million in cap-and-trade revenue to projects that not only reduce GHG emissions, but also promote affordable housing or transit options.

August 27 - The Planning Report


Interviewed: Jerry Wray, Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation

Excerpts of an interview with Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jerry Wray, who spoke candidly about the state's role in maintaining and building transportation projects in Cincinnati and around the state of Ohio.

August 27 - Cincinnati Enquirer

More Criticism of Texas Transportation Institute's Congestion Report

The Texas Transportation Institute's latest Urban Mobility Scorecard claims, that "TRAFFIC GRIDLOCK SETS NEW RECORDS FOR TRAVELER MISERY." This critique by the Frontier Group puts their hyperbole into perspective. No need to panic!

August 27 - Frontier Group


SEPTA Cycle-Transit Plan a Model for Multi-Modal Commuting

As ridership grows on the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) rail system, system planners are looking to a novel approach to relieve crunched station parking: bikes.

August 27 - Next City

Phoenix Transportation Sales Tax Measure Wins On Tuesday's Ballot

Phoenix voters, by 55 percent according to preliminary results, chose to increase their sales tax from .4 to .7 percent on Tuesday, continuing until 2051 to pay for $17 billion in transportation improvements.

August 27 - AZ Central

Uptown Oakland

FEATURE

What Is a 'Great' Neighborhood? An Analysis of APA's Top-Rated Places

A study recently published in the Journal of the American Planning Association finds that the APA's definition of "great neighborhoods" might be leaving low-income and minority populations behind.

August 27 - Emily Talen

California Transportation Bill Would Increase Taxes on Gas, Diesel

Sen. Jim Beall's transportation funding bill has been renumbered for the special session and was amended on July 14 to include a 12 cents per gallon, or 40 percent, increase in the gas tax and a 22 cents, or 169 percent, increase in the diesel tax.

August 26 - Planetizen

Congestion versus mobility

BLOG POST

2015 Urban Mobility Scorecard: Still Measuring Urban Travel Conditions Incorrectly

The new Urban Mobility Scorecard measures traffic congestion with greater precision, but incorrectly. As with previous editions, it exaggerates congestion costs and undervalues the congestion reduction benefits of alternative modes and Smart Growth.

August 26 - Todd Litman

C-Tran Vine

First Bus Rapid Transit Comes to Portland Metro Region

But not to Portland, nor even in Oregon for that matter. The Vine will service downtown Vancouver, Washington and be operated by Vancouver's public transit agency, C-TRAN. It broke ground in downtown Vancouver on Monday.

August 26 - Oregon Public Broadcasting

Capital Bikeshare

Study: Capital Bikeshare Reduces Congestion

A new study finds evidence of a causal link between bikeshare and congestion in Washington, D.C.

August 26 - Resources for the Future

Lawsuit Over Contract Planning Work Embroils Paterson, New Jersey

The city of Paterson, New Jersey, is suing the City-Council-appointed Board of Adjustment in a dispute over using in-house planners versus contract planners.

August 26 - Paterson Press

Pricetag for MBTA's Green Line Extension Jumps $1 Billion

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is scrambling to resolve a major cost overrun for the planned Green Line extension—in peril is potential rail service to one of the most densely populated cities in the country.

August 26 - The Boston Globe

Academy of Art University in San Francisco

Despite Violations, San Francisco's Academy of Art Continues Acquiring Properties

Planning Commission hearings related to the SF-based real estate empire of the Stephens family shed light on a history of land use violations in a land-scarce city.

August 26 - Forbes

Planning the Future of Buffalo's Outer Harbor Waterfront

A plan to revitalize Buffalo's Outer Harbor as an expansive, fully programmed park was sunk by a housing component. A new draft is expected soon.

August 26 - The Buffalo News

Questioning 'Drive Baby, Drive' Federal Policies

Americans are driving more, again. Streetsblog dares to challenges the Federal Highway Administration on whether that's data worth celebrating.

August 26 - Streetsblog USA

Security Issues Raised for U.S. Commuter and Intercity Trains

Friday's foiled attempt by an alleged terrorist to massacre civilians on a Paris-bound, high-speed Thalys train has raised fears that a similar attack could be launched on one of America's lesser-speed trains. Are current security measures adequate?

August 26 - The New York Times - U.S.

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.