The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Op-Ed: Austin a Shadow of its Former Self
An op-ed by David Heymann produces an elaborate, protracted metaphor of Austin as a former youthful "golden child" now showing the least attractive possible traits of middle age.
In Case You're Confused by the Two San Diego Climate Lawsuits
These are two similar lawsuits by environmental groups, one aimed at San Diego County, the other at the San Diego MPO, both based on CEQA and one also on SB 375. Enviros won both of them but only one will be heard by the California Supreme Court.
An App for California State Parks
California's Department of Parks and Recreation is getting into the app business. It is hoped that CaliParks will help improve access to the state's parks for young people and minorities.
Charleston Planning a Bike Infrastructure Update
The capital of West Virginia has hired Alta Planning and Design to undertake a ten-month process to update the city's bike and trail plan.
Uber Cars Now Outnumber Yellow Taxis in New York City
Looking for evidence of the new world order? Here's some from New York City: Uber cars now outnumber yellow-cabs.
Idaho Gas Tax Debate Pits Truckers Against Motorists
The Idaho Trucking Association wants to reduce the state's $262 million road and bridge maintenance shortfall by passing a six-cent increase in the fuel tax over three years. The AAA opposes it because most of the bill will fall on motorists.
Houston May Decide to Fence Itself In
Houston isn't freezing over. But, after decades of unbridled, un-zoned development, a new mayor, new planning director, and a raft of civic activists are promoting a general plan for the famously laissez-faire city.
Residents Dig Into North Carolina Triangle Light Rail Planning
Ahead of a February 2016 deadline for an environmental impact statement, residents are making their opinions known about the potential routes for a proposed light rail line connecting Durham and Chapel Hill.
'Envision Utah' a National Model for Long-Range Planning
An article in Governing thoroughly examines the historic and contemporary efforts of planning in Utah—especially the success of the Envision Utah planning process.
'Brooklyn Strand' Designed to Connect Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights
A vision concept called the Brooklyn Strand would create a more integrated and connected system of pedestrian and green spaces. Can local stakeholders convince the city to support the project?
Fighting Food Deserts in Los Angeles
Public health analysts and justice activists are tackling food deserts in a state known for its agricultural output. Low-income neighborhoods of color are the hardest hit by a lack of grocery options.
Transforming Downtown San Diego's Grid for Biking and Walking
By virtue of super small blocks, San Diego's downtown has more space dedicated to cars than most cities. That's about to change. San Diego urban design activist Bill Keller explains how they’ll do it.
Op-Ed: Starchitecture Fails the Future
An addiction to spectacle and fad, says Peter Buchanan, has set architecture adrift in a sea of meaningless forms. And real design problems go ignored.
They Paved Paradise, Put Up a Parking Lot …
"Big Asphalt" has compromised our health, safety, and welfare—but we can defeat it if we try.
Study: Sprawl Costs the U.S. Economy $1 Trillion Annually
A major new study estimates that sprawl costs the U.S. economy more than a trillion dollars annually, and results, in part, from planning and market distortions. Smart policy reforms can result in more efficient and equitable development.
Ohio State University Planning Accessible Bike Sharing System
Ohio State University plans to launch a bicycle sharing system this fall that is flexible and accessible, meeting the needs of many types of users. The system will include a mix of bicycles including tandem, hand cycle, electric assist, and others.
Study: South Los Angeles Fast Food Ban Didn't Cut the Fat
A fast food ban enacted in 2008 in an effort to curb obesity, diabetes, and other chronic health issues failed to achieve its well-intentioned goals, according to a new study by the RAND Corporation.
St. Paul Approves Bike Plan—200 Miles of Bike Infrastructure Included
The St. Paul City Council approved a bike plan on March 18, 2014 that will more than double the amount of bike pathways and connections in the city. The plan will advance the goals established by the city's 2008 Comprehensive Plan.
On the Self-Driving Car's Taste in Maps
The navigational software of successful driverless cars will make Google Maps seem like child's play. But can such a system replace or improve upon human instinct and adaptability?
Where Los Angeles Equals San Francisco's Density
Though the Los Angeles region is very dense, significant barriers to transit-oriented planning remain. Based on this analysis, the lack of a central urban core shouldn't be one of them.
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.
