The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Strong Housing Market a Lesson in Contrasts to the Slumping Oil Industry

Houston's housing market is chugging along, although one of the area's key industries is struggling.

August 16 - Houston Chronicle

Debriefing the Former Chair of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Crain's New York Business calls on the experience of Chris Ward to the state of infrastructure in New York.

August 16 - Crain's Business New York

Ghost bike in New York

New Study Examines Bicyclist Fatality Data from 1975-2012

There's good and bad news to report from the 37-year study. Good news: Decreased child fatal bike crashes, but it results from fewer children biking. Bad news: Increased adult fatal crashes, but it results from an increase in adult male cyclists.

August 16 - HealthDay News

Lawns and Suburban Homes

Sacramento Reconsiders Ban on Artificial Turf

Brown lawns may be less aesthetically pleasing than synthetic lawns, but are they safer?

August 16 - Sacramento Bee

Connecticut Democratic Leader Quick to Dismiss Road Usage Charge

The senate majority leader made clear that a mileage fee is not in the state's future. Diverting a half cent from the sales tax to the transportation budget took pressure off finding a sustainable solution to the state's transportation funding crisis

August 16 - CT Post


Uhaul Trucks

Report Finds Historically Unaffordable Rents

A new report from Zillow shows evidence of a deepening crisis in the rental housing market.

August 15 - Bloomberg Business

Interactive Maps Track Drought and More

A researcher from the Bill Lane Center for the American West at Stanford University explains how to use interactive maps to track climate change.

August 15 - National Geographic


Lafayette BART

Bay Area Town: 44 Single-Family Homes on a Site Once Considered for 315 Apartments

Lafayette provides a case study of the San Francisco Bay Area housing market.

August 15 - Contra Costa Times

Bike and Pedestrian Plan in the Works for the Atlanta Region

With a tradition of bicycle and pedestrian planning dating back to 1973, the Atlanta Regional Commission is currently updating its Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, with an expected completion date of December 2015.

August 15 - WABE

Vacant Properties Persist in Cuyahoga County—and Not Just in Cleveland

Cleveland.com provides in-depth analysis of the ongoing challenge to account for and improve the large number of vacant properties in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

August 15 - Cleveland.com

$1.2 Billion 'Energy Strong' Project Construction Making Life Difficult in New Jersey

A complex infrastructure investment project to build resilience into the energy grid is snarling traffic in North and Central New Jersey.

August 14 - The Record

Port of Houston Breaking Cargo Records

Local businesses and a global economy are driving growth at the Port of Houston. More opportunity growth could be on its way soon, too.

August 14 - Houston Chronicle

Condition on San Diego's New Airport Parking Lot: Make Sure People Don't Use It

A deal between the San Diego International Airport and the California Coastal Commission will pave the way for a 3,000-space parking garage—in the hopes that people don’t use it.

August 14 - Voice of San Diego

Small Starts Funding Cut Jeopardizes Critical SMART Train Extension

After a Senate committee slashed the Small Starts grant program, the new Marin-Sonoma "SMART" train may not be extended from San Rafael to the Larkspur ferry landing, a critical link enabling rail commuters to take the ferry to San Francisco.

August 14 - Marin Independent Journal

Buffalo Considering Light Rail Expansion to the Suburbs

As the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority wraps up a study of expanding into suburban Amherst, support from the community "is stronger than it’s been in decades."

August 14 - Buffalo News

Study: Access to Uber Reduces Drunk Driving Deaths

Researchers have found evidence of one fairly consequential benefit of transportation network companies like Uber.

August 14 - Streetsblog USA

Atlantic City Boardwalk

Atlantic City Could Become Empire of Innovation

Atlantic City, New Jersey, has been down on its luck lately. But, in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, AC could become the ideal laboratory for developing technologies and practices to help coastal cities build resiliency in the face of climate change.

August 14 - Fast Company

Commute

U.S. Census Releases 2013 Commute Data Goodies

The U.S. Census has released data from 2013 that offer planners the most up-to-date data available about where Americans work and how they commute.

August 14 - U.S. Census Bureau

Florida County Commissioners to Vote on Increased Gas Tax

Florida counties have their own gas taxes and can raise them without going to a vote by the people. Due to a road budget shortfall, the Santa Rosa County Commission will vote on August 13 whether to raise the gas tax as much as six cents per gallon.

August 14 - Pensacola NewsJournal

Friday Funny: $2 Billion in Crowdfunding Sought for Replica of Middle Earth's Minas Tirith

If you always thought you'd fit in better in Middle Earth than Anywhere, U.S.A., a group of architects and engineers would like to give you a chance to test your theory.

August 14 - Inhabitat

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