The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Two-story apartment building behind black iron fence in Pacoima, California

More Research Needed to Understand the Rental Market

Large institutional investors are changing the realities of the U.S. rental housing market, but a lack of information makes it hard for cities to respond.

September 7 - Urban Institute

Public Toilet

San Francisco’s Tenderloin Makes a Compelling Case for Public Restroom Programs

San Francisco’s Pit Stop program, which provides public restroom facilities to vulnerable and unhoused residents, has helped contribute to a decline in feces-related service calls in the Tenderloin.

September 7 - San Francisco Chronicle

Freeway Interchange Construction

Proposed Rule Would Require Emission Reductions From U.S. Highway System

A recently proposed rule, the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Measure, would require state and regional planning powers to track and reduce emissions from the U.S. highway system.

September 7 - Transportation for America

A rider waits on the platform of the Sox-35th station on the CTA Red Line in Chicago.

Chicago’s Red Line Extension Environmental Review Complete

The Red Line Extension on Chicago’s South Side could be a game changer, if the city can figure out the local funding.

September 7 - Mass Transit

New York City Bike Infrastructure

New York to Plan a Network of ‘Greenway’ Corridors for Bike and Pedestrian Improvements

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has the federal funding to launch a new, equity-focused bike and pedestrian planning initiative.

September 7 - AMNY


Pandemic Bike Lanes

Europe Building a Post-Car Future

While the United States mobilizes to transition to electric cars, cities and countries in Europe are transitioning to fewer cars.

September 6 - Yahoo News

Broadway Bike Lane

Interest Spikes for Active Transportation Grants in Washington State

Applications for active transportation grant funding through a pair of Washington state programs more than doubled, in terms of funding requests, from 2020 to 2022.

September 6 - The Seattle Times


Diablo Canyon Nuclear

Legislature Extends $1.4 Billion Lifeline to California's Last Operating Nuclear Power Plant

A bipartisan bill, fiercely opposed by many in the environmental community, would keep the Diablo Canyon Power Plant operating beyond 2025. The bill received overwhelming approval after it was amended to shorten the duration of the extension.

September 6 - CALmatters

An intersection is adorned with paint depicting the Italian flag in St. Louis.

St. Louis Had Enough of the Federal Government’s Crosswalk Paint Policy

St. Louis is not the only city to decide that the Federal Highway Administration’s policies against brightly painted crosswalks. The evidence is on the side of the resistance.

September 6 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

A view of Houston's freeways, with downtown in the background.

Texas Announces $85 Billion in Road and Highway Construction Projects

Texas recently announced a historic commitment to automobile infrastructure.

September 6 - Texas Department of Transportation

A map of the MARTA rail system highlighting the Arts Center Station.

Atlanta Street Extension Project Will Benefit Transit Access

Plans to extend 15th Street in Midtown Atlanta are designed to improve access to the Arts Center MARTA station.

September 6 - Urbanize Atlanta

Electric Bus

$1.66 Billion in Federal Infrastructure Funding Awarded to U.S. Bus Systems

The Federal Transit Administration announced the winners in the Bus and Bus Facilities and Low or No Emission Vehicle (Low-No Program) programs in August.

September 6 - Federal Transit Administration

Numerous trains are lined up at the Hudson Yards train depot with the fancy architecture of Hudson Yards in the background.

More Delays, Billions for the Northeast Corridor’s Gateway Program

Considered by some to be the most critical infrastructure project in the country, the Gateway Project is an ongoing example of the extreme costs of bureaucratic and political neglect.

September 6 - The New York Times

A map of San Jose showing the route of the planned BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension.

BART’s Phase II Extension Into San Jose Ready to Go

A long-awaited extension of the Bay Area’s regional rail transit system is finally coming into view, with an expected completion date of 2030.

September 5 - KALW

A police officer directs traffic as fire trucks arrive on scene along a street with green painted bike lanes.

Washington State Moving Ahead With Complete Streets

Move Ahead Washington, a law approved by the Washington State Legislature earlier this year, is expected to have a huge effect on transportation planning and engineering on state-controlled roads.

September 5 - The Urbanist

Texas

Development Code, Future Land Use Map Updates Coming to Dallas

The ForwardDallas initiative is attempting for the Holy Grail of planning: development certainty.

September 5 - CandysDirt.com

New York City

Massive Empire State Complex Gains Key Political Support

New York Governor Kathy Hochul is backing one of the largest real estate development projects in U.S. history—larger even than the nearby Hudson Yards project.

September 5 - The New York Times

Las Vegas Sprawl

Analysis: Pandemic Pressed Fast Forward on U.S. Migration Trends

In Las Vegas, Denver, Philadelphia, and more, out of town newcomers have been driving up real estate prices by moving in from more expensive locations with the resources to outspend locals, according to analysis by the Business Journals.

September 4 - The Business Journals

Wind Turbine

The Nation's Largest Wind Farm: Planned in Wyoming, Built for California

This project could "save California," according to the Los Angeles Times. But it won't be easy.

September 4 - Los Angeles Times

An MBTA Orange Line train bound for Oak Grove waits at a station.

Feds Intervene in Boston’s Transit Troubles

The Federal Transit Administration issued a scathing review of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s performance last week, ordering major changes at the Boston area’s transportation agency.

September 4 - WBUR

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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.