The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Study: Distance Between Homes and Jobs Increasing
A new study finds that the first decade of the 21st century exhibited a mass migration—of U.S. jobs moving farther away from where U.S. residents live.
Texas Could End Renewable Energy Credit Program
Some state legislators in Texas are declaring "mission accomplished" and moving to freeze the state's Renewable Energy Credit program.

On a Potential Mile-High Skyscraper
A New York magazine article examines the idea of the mile-high skyscraper. Once imagined by Frank Lloyd Wright but impossible to build, the idea is not science fiction anymore.
9 New Navigation Technologies for the Visually Impaired
New technology could open a new era of independence for blind and visually impaired residents of communities everywhere.

'Move Seattle': a $900 Million Plan to End the 'Multi-Modal Wars'
City officials in Seattle have proposed a levy on property owners that would finance an integrated approach to transportation infrastructure improvements.
Planning for Climate Change on the Shores of the Great Lakes
Two academic researchers explain the planning and landscape architecture opportunities offered by the "dramatic fluctuations" and "emergent shorelands" of the Great Lakes Coasts.
First Look at the New Dallas Streetcar
In a private preview in anticipation of the April 13 system opening, a lucky few got a first look at Dallas' new, battery-powered streetcar.
The New Neighbor in the Trendy Mission District: An Innovative Homeless Shelter
Thanks to a $3 million anonymous donation, San Francisco has built a first-of-its kind temporary shelter that will welcome homeless campers along with their belongings and pets.
Georgia Could End LEED Ratings for State Buildings
The LEED green building rating system doesn't acknowledge lumber from the state of Georgia as sustainable, so one state lawmaker suggests throwing out LEED altogether. Critics call it throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
Support for a Protected Bike Path Along Cleveland's 'Opportunity Corridor'
The unfolding saga of Cleveland's proposed Opportunity Corridor project has a new twist: community development organizations and bike advocates would like to add a protected bike path alongside the route.

The Economic Case for Converting Parking to Parklets
Emily Badger of The Washington Post Wonkblog writes about a new study showing the economic benefits of converting street spaces in front of storefronts to parklets. Other options for street spaces include bike lanes, bikeshare docks, and bus lanes.
Pittsburgh Launches $32 Million 'Envision Downtown' Initiative
The Envision Downtown Initiative will focus on street improvements to improve public interactions.
Long Range Transportation Plan Released for St. Louis Region
The Connected2045 plan lays out a 30-year vision for transportation projects in the St. Louis region, with attention paid to access, the environment, freight movement, alternative transportation, neighborhood preservation, and safety.
New York Unlikely to Receive Federal Support in Solving Housing Crisis
Crain's New York Business examines recent statements by New York Planning Commission Chair Carl Weisbrod about the need for federal support if New York is to hit its affordable housing targets.

BLOG POST
The Trouble with Legalizing Illegal Units
The recent example of a dramatic rent increase in San Francisco may be less about loopholes in current housing laws and more about failing to consider all the implications of rushed legislation.
Without More Affordable Housing, Veteran Homelessness Will Return
Federal funding to end veteran homelessness has had a real impact, but a nationwide shortage of affordable housing could make its success temporary.
Groundbreaking for 'Plaza De Las Americas' Public Market Space in New York
New York City broke ground recently on the Plaza de Las Americas—a designed public space that will support market uses and pedestrian activity while replacing an existing roadway in the Washington Heights neighborhood.
Dallas Mulling Proposals for a Redesigned Fair Park
The future of Dallas is very much under consideration. Case in point: an effort to redesign and plan the 277 acres of Fair Park with the potential to offer improved public access to a critical area east of Downtown.
MonkeyParking App Is Back—This Time It's Legal
The infamous MonkeyParking app that last year ran afoul of public sentiment and the law is back with a new business model that offers residents the chance to auction that most precious of commodities—urban parking space.

Tech Giants Bank on Growth, Acquire More Space
To provide room for long-term expansion, companies like Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn are buying up even more Bay Area real estate. Their flush cash reserves have them nudging out the traditional development and investment crowd.
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.