The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

12.3-Mile Gold Line Extension Takes First, Tentative Steps in Southern California

One step forward, and maybe two steps back, for a 12.3-mile extension of the Gold Line light rail in the San Gabriel Valley.

September 30 - San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Denver Skyline

1,000-Foot Skyscraper in the Works for Denver

The 19th tallest building in United States could someday be located in Denver, Colorado.

September 30 - The Denver Post

Los Angeles

Los Angeles Union Station Plan Creates Multimodal Access to Downtown L.A.

When it comes to trains, trams, and buses, L.A.'s Union Station is "the most transit-accessible location in Southern California." Soon, it will finally connect to its own neighborhood.

September 29 - The Planning Report

Monsoon Rail Station

Breaking News: Tragic Stampede at Mumbai Rail Station Leaves 22 Dead

A tragic stampede at a Mumbai rail station is putting new focus on the state of rail infrastructure in India.

September 29 - BBC

High Speed Rail Transforming California's Housing, TOD Conversation

The California Legislature took steps to address the state's housing crisis this year, but housing activists might look to the Governor's High Speed Rail project to provide a link to affordable housing in the Central Valley.

September 29 - The Planning Report


Outhouse

Sanitation Without Sewers

In much of the world, people do not have access to toilets and sewers. To make these places safer, innovators look for cheap, easy-to-install solutions.

September 29 - Next City

Street Median

Omaha to Outlaw Standing on Medians

In an effort to curb panhandling, the mayor of Omaha introduces ordinance to make it illegal to be on some thin medians.

September 29 - Omaha World Herald


Homeless Man

A New 'Transit Homeless Action Plan' for Los Angeles

Transit can be a vital resource for the homeless. In Los Angeles, where that population is growing, this is doubly true.

September 29 - Curbed Los Angeles

Indego

Checking in on Philadelphia's Promised Protected Bike Lanes

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kinney is discovering on the job that planning is much easier than delivering when it comes to protected bike lanes—as is the case in many cities around the country.

September 29 - PlanPhilly

Seattle Sailboats

Could Seattle Be the U.S. Vancouver?

Seattle appears to be following the Vancouver, B.C. model by increasing population and residential density while investing in transit. If it works, traffic congestion will not deteriorate, and vehicle trips should drop.

September 29 - Governing

Maryland's $9 Billion Project Would Be the Nation's Largest P3 for Highways

Gov. Larry Hogan (R-Md.) announced last week plans for the largest highway contract awarded to a public-private partnership: adding four express toll lanes to the Capital Beltway and I-270. A third highway widening will be completed internally.

September 29 - Planetizen

Redlining Map

Housing Discrimination Explained by a Comic Strip

A comic strip succeeds in presenting the complex history of redlining and housing discrimination.

September 29 - The Nib

School bus with stop sign

Drivers Most Distracted Right When School Gets Out

A study from the company, Zendrive, found that the overwhelming majority of motorists drive distracted between the hours of 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.

September 28 - CityLab

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh City Council Mulls Options for Affordable Housing Funding

Deciding to create an affordable housing trust fund is one thing, deciding how to fund it is another.

September 28 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Grade Crossing

Denver Still Seeking a Solution to At-Grade Crossings on New Rail Lines

Seemingly esoteric matters of crossing safety and gate activation times are presenting a major obstacle for RTD's commuter rail expansion projects in the Denver area.

September 28 - The Denver Post

Chicago Bike Trail

Bad Optics: The 606 Bike Trail Closed for an Upscale, Private Dinner

Chicago's 606 has proven popular among pedestrians, but the rise in property values near the amentity has made some feel unwelcome near the trail. Closing a stretch of the trail for a $200-a-plate dinner only makes that worse.

September 28 - Streetsblog Chicago

Mapping the Latest GDP Data for the Nation's Metropolitan Areas

Continuing Planetizen's survey of data dumps by the federal government is a post devoted to the gross domestic product (economic clout, in other words) of the country's metropolitan areas.

September 28 - HowMuch

QLine Detroit

Ridership Drops As Detroit's QLine Streetcar Starts Charging

Since Detroit's new streetcar system started charging, ridership has dropped. Those who are riding aren't necessarily paying anyways.

September 28 - Crain's Detroit Business

Seatle Skyline

BLOG POST

The Urban Revival Is (Probably) Not Over

Critiquing Richard Florida's claim that "the urban revival is over."

September 28 - Michael Lewyn

Philadelphia

Place Attachment as a Tool for Shaping Change

We fight for what we love. When we’re connected in affection, we’re both more inclined and more empowered to organize.

September 28 - PlaceShakers

Post News

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

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The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

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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.