The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
The National Park Service Turns 99 Today
The big birthday means admission is free to national parks today as well.
Community Ties in the Era of Isolation
Connectivity may form the bedrock of what we call "resilience" but we're just not all that neighborly these days. Can we become more competitive and lasting by restitching our threadbare community fabric?
Does it Matter if We Call Crashes 'Accidents'?
Safety experts, like NHTSA, and safety advocates, like bicycle and pedestrian organizations, have replaced the commonly used "accident" with "crash" or similar nouns. Kevin Drum of Mother Jones asks if it really makes a difference.
The Popsicle Test: What Makes a City Good for Children?
Low crime rates and affordable property preoccupy adults, but kids need something more: the ability to walk the streets and play out on their own. In The Guardian, Viv Groskop explores the "popsicle test" and other elements of child-friendly cities.
Public Opinion Split on I-710 Tunnel Plans in Southern California
The public comment period has ended on one of Southern California's most persistent planning controversies—a proposal to connect the I-710 Freeway between Pasadena and Alhambra. The current plan calls for a long underground tunnel.
BLOG POST
Cities, the Middle Class, and Children
Joel Kotkin argues that Jane Jacobs's insights are of limited value because cities are no longer useful for middle-class families.
Unlikely Sector Supports Increased California Fuel Taxes
Anti-tax, business groups are backing plans to fill the road budget shortfall by increasing fuel taxes and registration fees, but they want general fund dollars diverted to the road budget as well.
Report Finds Tremendous Economic Benefits From Indy's Cultural Trail
A $63 million investment to build the Cultural Trail in Indianapolis has returned $1 billion in increased property value and other economic benefits since 2008.
Atlanta's Midtown Achieving 'Tech Hub' Status
Companies looking for creative class cache have begun to locate in Atlanta's Midtown and spilling over into neighboring districts.
Federal Bill Would Enable Waterfront Community Resilience Planning
A bill proposed in the U.S. Senate provides a model for how the federal government could support resilience planning in waterfront and coastal communities.
Light Rail Extension to South Sacramento County Opens Today
Observers are closely monitoring whether a hotly contested light rail extension into Elk Grove and South Sacramento County lives up to its promise.
Gray Wolves Return to the Golden State—After 91 Years
Two adults and five pups have been photographed in Northern California by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. They are protected by the federal and state Endangered Species Act, which is credited for their return.
Open 7 Months Ahead of Schedule: Mesa, Arizona's Light Rail Extension
The Valley Metro Rail system launched a new light rail extension over the weekend that connects the city of Mesa into Phoenix, Tempe and to the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Is the Local NFL Team Hurting the Local College Team and the Local Economy?
Studies show building NFL stadiums drain tax revenues and don't boost local economies. What about NFL teams themselves? Land use attorney (and football fan) Bill Adams argues that they rob support from local college teams and local economies.
Building a Better Suburb
Suburbs are changing. Instead of "green lawns, sprawling backyards, and lots of parking for cars," now there are "agri-hoods."
America's Largest 'Crop': the Lawn
A NASA study finds that no irrigated vegetation covers more surface in the United States than the collection of lawns that are so important to the American identity.
The Passing of One of the Bay Area's Most Effective Bicycle Advocates
Deb Hubsmith, who went from executive director of the Marin Bicycle Coalition to state and federal bicycle advocacy positions, passed away on August 18. She was known throughout California as being a tireless force for the advancement of bicycling.
An Interview with HUD Secretary Julian Castro
"We use housing as a platform to create greater opportunity in people's lives."
Housing Choice Voucher Holders Still Face Barriers to Mobility
Voucher recipients live in slightly better neighborhoods than the average poor household, but they still live in economically and racially segregated neighborhoods with poor-performing schools.
America's Speed Limits Visualized
America's quilt of speed limits now reaches 85 MPH in some states, with increases possible in some western states. MetricMaps has produced a visualization of the top speed limits across the country and even in detail in urban areas.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
Tyler Technologies
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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.
