The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
New Drought Plan Would Mean Voluntary Cutbacks of Colorado River Water
California, Arizona, and Nevada are hammering out a plan to address the worsening drought along the Colorado River.
St. Louis Could Fine Developers For Multi-Family Conversions
The city is considering implementing a fee for developers who reduce the number of units in a rehabbed building in a bid to discourage the loss of housing.
Austria to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccination
Life for the unvaccinated in many European countries is becoming more difficult as infections surge. Austria will take the ultimate step in February and require residents to become inoculated unless medically exempt. A lockdown begins Monday.
FEATURE
'Supporting Shrinkage': Lessons for U.S. Cities
An excerpt from "Supporting Shrinkage: Better Planning and Decision-Making for Legacy Cities," written by Michael P. Johnson, Justin B. Hollander, Eliza W. Kinsey, and George R. Chichirau and published by SUNY Press.
The Blue State Problem
The New York Times and Last Week Tonight With John Oliver have a message for progressives living in liberal cities in Blue States: you're part of the problem.
CDC: Time to Rethink Herd Immunity
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may be changing its thinking about how herd immunity fits in with the goal of controlling the coronavirus. At the same time, the waning immunity of vaccinated Americans has taken on more urgency.
The E-Bike Boom Continues
The popularity of electric bikes doesn't seem to be waning as the devices outpace electric car sales by almost two to one.
BLOG POST
More Details of the $1.2 Trillion Federal Infrastructure Bill
There's plenty of room for analysis and discussion in a $1.2 trillion bill, so Planetizen's coverage of the historic bill continues.
RAISE Grants Announced: U.S. DOT Shifts to a Greener Vision for Transportation
News broke early this morning the U.S. Department of Transportation had announced the first round of funding for the Biden administration's new discretionary grant funding program.
Could France's Approach to Combating NIMBYism Work in the United States?
France passed a law that required cities to have a certain percentage of social housing. Since then the country's most exclusionary cities and suburbs have seen a fivefold increase in the availability of social housing.
Evidence for Tolls as a 'Surefire' Traffic Congestion Fix
Traffic on a Louisville freeway fell by half after a toll was implemented. Could this be the best way to reduce traffic congestion?
Is Fare-Free Transit Worth Reduced Transit Service?
Transit advocates worry that the movement to eliminate fares will come at a high cost to transit-dependent riders who rely on frequent, reliable service to reach jobs and services.
The U.S. Has a New Center: Hartville, Missouri
The center cannot hold.
San Diego Removes Some Commercial Parking Requirements
After approving parking reforms for swaths of residential areas in the city in 2019, the city of San Diego is expanding the effort to select commercial areas in the city.
San Diego County Seeks Funding for River Park
San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 to spend up to $500,000 for a consultant who will seek out funding to complete the San Diego River Park.
Opinion: To Meet Climate Goals, Bay Area Needs More Transit-Oriented Development
The region's transit-oriented development (TOD) plan requires a significant update to achieve the density and housing goals laid out in the MTC's 30-year vision.
The Racial Reckoning in Public Spaces
Following George Floyd’s murder in 2020, there was an explosion of anti-racist street art across the country. “When we allow ourselves to release our emotions, oftentimes what is produced out of that is art.”
Driver Shortages and Service Reductions: The Crisis in Public Transit Continues
While transit systems around the country had reason to celebrate the new funding made available in the federal infrastructure bill, long-term concerns about operational capacity have not been resolved.
$300 Million in Train Station Improvements Coming to Atlanta
Work on MARTA's Rail Station Rehabilitation Program will continue over several years, with some big changes for Downtown Atlanta included in the plan.
BLOG POST
Land Costs and Housing Costs
One common argument against upzoning is that it increases land costs—but land costs rose in the most restrictive markets as well as the least restrictive ones.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
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.
