The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Downtown Des Moines, Iowa skyline.

Des Moines Plans to Repurpose Downtown Parking Lots

City officials want to encourage the redevelopment of underused surface parking lots.

February 7 - Axios

Flooded street in Houston, Texas.

Assessing Houston’s ‘Climate Abandonment Areas’

Most of the census tracts designated at high risk of flooding are in less affluent neighborhoods.

February 7 - Urban Edge

Older black woman writes on document with a pen.

‘Worrying Trend’: Number of Housing Cost-Burdened Seniors At All-Time High

Nearly 11.2 million older adults in the U.S. are spending more than 30 percent of their household income on housing.

February 7 - Novogradac

Sign on concrete wall "Welcome to Washington Metro" with WMATA seal.

DC-Area Jurisdictions Pledge Bridge Funding for Transit

District officials could commit up to $200 million as short-term support for the struggling regional transit system.

February 7 - DCist

Workplaces in a modern panoramic office, New York city view from the windows. Open space. Black tables and brown leather chairs. A concept of financial consulting services. 3D rendering.

Record Number of Office-to-Apartment Conversions in 2024

More than 55,000 apartments across the U.S. are scheduled for conversion from old office space this year, according to a new report.

February 7 - Yield Pro


Freeway on-ramp sign for Interstate 15 in California.

California Commission Approves Freeway Expansion

The state Transportation Commission ultimately voted to move a controversial Inland Empire interstate project forward.

February 6 - Streetsblog California

Small tents set up on sidewalk by unhoused people next to boarded-up one-story industrial building in San Francisco, California.

The Point-in-Time Homelessness Count, Explained

Each year, cities across the nation undertake a massive effort to physically count their unhoused residents.

February 6 - KQED


Silver and blue train passing by on track at the edge of Pacific Ocean in San Clemente, California.

Storms Sever California Rail Line—Again

The coast-hugging rail corridor linking Los Angeles and San Diego faces an uncertain future as mudslides once again force part of the line to close.

February 6 - Smart Cities Dive

Cyclists in bike lane with red streetcar in background on urban street.

Study: Bike Infrastructure Makes Roads Safer for All

Higher cycling rates are associated with significantly lower traffic deaths.

February 6 - Momentum Magazine

Flooded park agains the downtown Houston skyline

FEMA Reforms Disaster Assistance Rules

The changes make it easier for households facing evacuation to access relocation funds.

February 6 - Word In Black

Neighborhood in Dallas, Texas

A Survey of Texas Zoning Reform

Zoning changes at the local and state levels are making it easier and faster to build housing.

February 6 - The Dallas Morning News

Bronze statue of Rosa Parks sitting on bus bench in center of plaza by Dallas transit station.

Philadelphia Transit Officials Honor Civil Rights Activists

A ceremony held Monday celebrated people who contributed to the desegregation of public transit.

February 6 - CBS Philadelphia

Group of children crossing a street with a crossing guard holding up red Stop sign.

USDOT Launches AI Initiative for Complete Streets

The agency will distribute $15 million for the development of AI applications that further safe transportation infrastructure.

February 6 - Nextgov

View from hilltop of Glendale, Arizona with saguaro cactus in left foreground.

Proposed Legislation Targets Arizona Housing Crisis

A series of state bills address barriers to housing production including parking minimums and ADUs.

February 5 - Axios Phoenix

Green u-shaped school building with slanted roof and courtyard in the middle

FEATURE

Vernacular Architecture in the Era of Climate Change

We no longer have time for design that ignores the climate crisis. Building and community design must respond to this new context to successfully meet people’s needs.

February 5 - Corey Squire

Three young people at bike share station in Austin, Texas.

Austin Bike Share Announces Major Expansion

Cap Metro plans to electrify its entire fleet.

February 5 - Austin Monitor

Close-up of hands holding straps on public bus.

Research Reveals Subsidized Transit Is More Efficient

Contrary to some arguments, public transit networks with higher government subsidies have higher ridership and more farebox revenue.

February 5 - Streetsblog USA

View of river and commercial buildings in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Plans Dozens of Traffic Calming, Bike Projects

The city will install new bike lanes and additional traffic calming measures throughout 2024.

February 5 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Low close-up of salt sprinkled on asphalt road in winter with person walking and car in background.

Minnesota Advocates Propose Tools to Limit Road Salt Use

Winter-oriented road design can limit the amount of polluting chloride used on the state’s roads to mitigate winter conditions.

February 5 - MPR News

Aerial view of blue Canyon Lake reservoir beach in Texas on sunny day.

Texas Reservoirs Reach Dangerous Lows

In some parts of the state, water officials have cut off releases that maintain estuaries and other key coastal habitats.

February 5 - Wired

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.