The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Your Next Lyft Ride May Not Have a Driver
The self-driving car of the future is getting closer to becoming a reality, with GM and Lyft partnering to launch autonomous vehicles for the ride-hailing service within the year.
The Greening of Large Trucks Begins at California's Ports
A Planetizen blog post by Casey Brazeal asks, "When will the trucking industry electrify?" Three truck manufacturers and electric truck builder BYD Motors are now in competition thanks to a $23.6 million state grant to the South Coast Air District.
Pierce Transit Lets You 'Build Your Own Transit System'
For feedback on a system overhaul, Pierce Transit in Washington is asking residents to design their own transit system through an interactive survey.
The Next Economic Frontier: Cities
Urbanists, test your knowledge of urban economics. Familiar with the concept of agglomeration externality? Finance professor and Bloomberg View writer Noah Smith opines it's a major reason why American cities are not as productive as they should be.
The 'Myth' of Family Farms
Historian Gabriel Rosenberg challenges romanticism in the history of family farms in the US.
Safety Improvements for Texters Around the World
Cities are experimenting with safety measures for pedestrians who text while they walk, but the projects could benefit everyone.
19 Mansions May Be Headed to Los Angeles Wilderness
A fight is brewing over a plan to build 19 luxury homes on an expanse of wilderness in Los Angeles' San Gabriel Mountains.
8 Ways Exclusionary Zoning Hurts Cities
The Sightline Institute tackles what may be "our most acute urban public policy challenge."
Only Public Housing Can Save the Housing Market Now
An article in The Nation rejects the notion that the market will solve the country's current affordable housing crisis.
BLOG POST
Remember Your Rockaway
Growing up in Rockaway, Queens led me to the planning profession, just as home town experiences lead many students to city planning. It's easy to forget why we became planners: we need to remember.
Somerville and Cambridge Offer Cash to Save Expensive Green Line Extension
The cities of Somerville and Cambridge are digging into their pockets to save the beleaguered Green Line extension project. State transportation officials could decide next week if the additional $75 million matters or not.
Open Data Practices Still Catching Up With Bike Metrics in New York
A new report released by the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) shows a steady increase in the number of bikers in the city. A lack of data, however, continues to be a problem for accurate assessment of the trend.
Ontario to Double Highway 401 Capacity in the Peel Region
A massive highway widening project will soon begin construction in the city of Mississauga, Ontario.
Is a Meritocracy Really What We Want?
At first glance, a meritocratic vision is morally compelling, but upon closer scrutiny, its pursuit ends up legitimizing—and thus reinforcing—the very social and economic inequality it purports to rectify.
Failed Public-Private Partnership Leaves Bus Stops With No Shade in Los Angeles
A 2001 contract between the city of Los Angeles and CBS Decaux failed to deliver 662 shelters for bus stops. A case study in what not to do on either side of a public-private partnership follows.
Water Diversion Controversy Stifles Milwaukee Suburb's Growth Plans
The city of Waukesha asked for more water than the Great Lakes Compact would allow. Commenters remind the city of Waukesha that water for growth was never the goal of the Great Lakes Compact.
Open Today: the Kansas City Streetcar
Today, Kansas City becomes the first Midwestern city to run modern streetcar service.
Two Rustbelt Cities Take Similar Tacks to Future Planning
Erie, Pennsylvania and Canton, Ohio have faced the challenges of shrinking populations and fewer job prospects, but new comprehensive plans in each city may provide a pathway to resurgence
Roads Come Before Transit for Broward, Florida Metropolitan Planning Organization
County commissioners had approved a one-cent sales tax measure to improve roads and transit throughout the county, but MPO members, dominated by city representatives, prefer an undefined infrastructure tax with a majority of funds returned to cities.
Bicycle Infrastructure Fail(s)
An op-ed by Mikael Colville-Andersen of Copenhagenize Design Company.
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.
