The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Concerns Raised Over Property Tax for Minneapolis' Nicollet Mall Renovation
A debate over a special property tax assessment to fund a James Corner-designed redo of Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis raises questions about public benefit and value capture.
Los Angeles Metrolink to Relieve Caltrain on the Crowded San Francisco Peninsula
The San Francisco to San Jose Caltrain commuter rail line continues to set ridership records, but capacity has not increased, much to riders' chagrin. Starting today, four train sets will add a sixth car, courtesy of Metrolink commuter rail.
Regulation Not Keeping Pace with the Popularity of Drones
The use drones for planning and its related fields has obvious and immediate potential. So far, however, the use of drones lacks a coherent regulatory framework.
Bay Bridge Construction Woes Raise Earthquake Safety Concerns
One of the reasons for the $6.4 billion investment in the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge was to ensure the safety of the bridge in the even of a large earthquake.

Seattle Densification Strategy: Build Apartments Without Parking
Not just any apartments, only those served by frequent transit. Developers will still have a "mobility" requirement: In lieu of a parking space, they'll need to provide tenants with transit passes and memberships in car and bikeshare services.
Surveying the Biking Gender Gap
A survey of the relevant studies, articles, and ideas about why women ride bikes so much less than men.

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When States Should Blow the Whistle
States regulate local governments too much in some areas, but not enough in others.

The Key to Escaping Poverty: Transportation
A recent study that connected place to opportunity also includes findings about the factor most likely to influence economic success: access to transportation.
San Francisco Launching Raised Bike Lane Program
The city's Municipal Transportation Agency will construct a block of raised bike lane on Valencia Street as a showcase for more such projects to come.
New App Shares Connected Car Data to Government, Businesses
This is what "smart cities" technology looks like: A new product called Inrix Insights offers planners and businesses a platform by which to access the data created by the use of connected cars.
Public Review Underway for Pittsburgh BRT Proposal
The public is getting a chance to respond to the idea of building a bus rapid transit line along a heavily traveled corridor between Pittsburgh and Oakland to the east.
Trees Dying by the Millions During California's Drought
A U.S. Forest Service survey has revealed the high costs of the California drought to one of the state's most treasured features: its sprawling forests.

Atlanta Beltline Symbolizes Efforts to Reverse Tide of Sprawl
Famously far-flung Atlanta is finding a comforting psychic barrier in the BeltLine, a 45-mile greenbelt in the place of former railroad tracks. The city and developers are trying to make the urban core more functional and attractive.

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Los Angeles pLAn Shoots for STAR
The newly released Los Angeles Sustainability pLAn aspires to Lead by Example by committing to STAR Communities certification by 2017. Other major cities may now feel compelled to pursue STAR as part of their sustainability plans and program.
Gas Tax Hike Showdown Headed to Nebraska
Strong leadership from the governor may be the most important factor in passing state gas tax increases. But what happens when the governor opposes increasing the gas tax and the legislature supports it? Nebraska is about to find out.
Early Returns Exceed Expectations for Connecticut's CTfastrak BRT System
The $567 million CTfastrak bus rapid transit system opened for business on March 2, 2015. Since then, the system has provided transit service to a growing number of people.
Local Opposition Growing to Atlantic Coast Drilling Plans
Back in January 2015, the Obama Administration pitched a proposal to allow offshore oil exploration along the Atlantic Coast. As more local stakeholders reveal their verdicts on the idea, some are finding reason to oppose.

Newly Launched Gehl Institute to Study Public Spaces
Gehl Studio, the leading name in people-first design and one of the most influential forces in planning today, has philanthropic backing for a non-profit that will focus studies and work on the public sphere.
The Latest Research on the Adoption and Growth of Bikeshare Systems
Academics and professional planners have access to plenty of research and data to continue to improve and expand bikeshare systems around the world.
Meet the World's First Self-Driving Big Rig
The world now includes a technology that raises the stakes of the collective interest in self-driving cars to a whole new weight class: a self-driving big rig.
Pagination
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
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.