The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Vancouver Skyline

Controversy Precedes Departure of Vancouver Head of Planning

Brian Jackson will retire after stepping down from his position as chief planner for the city of Vancouver.

August 13 - The Globe and Mail

'Digital Coast' Connects Planners and Data for Coastal Resilience

A new resource created by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in partnership with the APA makes it easier for planners to access the data necessary to plan for climate adaptation, sea level rise, and other forms of coastal resilience.

August 13 - APA Policy News

The 1989 Roots of Louisiana's Transportation Funding Mess

Incomplete projects proposed in the Transportation Infrastructure Model for Economic Development plan have saddled Louisiana with increasing debt and less money for maintenance.

August 13 - The Advocate

Survey of 251 U.S. Mayors Reveals 'Unequal Recovery'

A report from the National League of Cities mines the political leadership of 251 cities for insights into the state of local economies.

August 13 - The Urban Edge

Selfie in action

What Makes a Streetscape Appeal to Pedestrians?

Researchers who studied the appeal of New York City streetscapes find an additionally significant factor on the streets of Salt Lake City: the photo op.

August 12 - CityLab


Take a Digital Tour of Pennsylvania's Urban Waterfronts

Keystone Crossroads has produced an interactive series about Pennsylvania's urban waterfronts. A storymap and in-depth reporting provide waterfront access from afar.

August 12 - Keystone Crossroads

Closed Ontario Schools May Be Transformed Into Community Hubs

Schools are part of, and even anchor communities. Good planning requires schools as part of "Complete Communities". Until this proposal is adopted, school boards often close schools due to funding or liability. This is a possible step forward.

August 12 - The Globe and Mail (Toronto)


A Call for Long-Term Federal Transportation Funding

When Congress recently failed yet again to pass a long-term surface transportation bill, Representative Earl Blumenauer decided it was time for a reality check.

August 12 - The Planning Report

San Jose Arterial Street

Another Study Shows That Narrow Is Safer Than Wide for Traffic Lanes

Better Cities & Towns gives its imprimatur to the "narrower is better" approach to lane width for traffic safety thanks to a study by Toronto transportation planner, Dewan Masud Karim, presented at the Canadian ITE annual conference.

August 12 - Better Cities & Towns

Seattle skyline

Lesson from Seattle: Zoning Is a Political Debate, Not a Policy Debate

The swift rejection of a proposal to upzone residential neighborhoods in Seattle inspired The Urbanist to evaluate the lessons of the episode. One takeaway: don't demonize single-family homeowners.

August 12 - The Urbanist

On the Ballot: $700 Million in Bond Funding for Roads in Houston's Harris County

The legacy of sprawl in and around Houston has forced local officials to seek $700 million in bond funding (part of an $848 million bond package) to pay for road improvement projects.

August 12 - Community Impact Newspaper

Stays in Vegas: Six Neighborhoods Considered for National Register of Historic Places

A city famous for reinventing by any means necessary is looking to preserve some of its history.

August 12 - Las Vegas Sun

Still Waiting on the Universal Fare Card for U.S. Transit Systems

Some people dream of jet packs, others dream of using a smartphone to navigate between transit systems and modes without needing to stop to buy a new fare card.

August 12 - CityLab

Car2go Expands to Queens: Last Mile Solution or Congestion Nightmare?

With a track record of success in Brooklyn, Car2go is expanding its service to Long Island City and the rest of western Queens. An article in Crain's examines the implications of the move.

August 12 - Crain's New York Business

Tilikum Crossing

Portland's Tilikum Crossing—Open to All but Cars—Attracts a Throng on Preview Day

The first bridge in the country to allow all forms of traffic except for cars opened for a public preview over the weekend. Tens of thousands of Portlanders showed up to enjoy the bridge.

August 11 - Bike Portland

S&P Report: Man-Made Earthquakes Are Bad for Credit

The credit rating agency Standard & Poor's released a report that raises the threat level on the trend of earthquakes in areas around Oklahoma and Texas.

August 11 - The Dallas Morning News

Oregonians Slow to Adopt the New OReGO Road Usage Charge

All eyes are on Oregon as it rolls out its road usage charge program, known as OReGO. So far Oregonians have been slow on the uptake.

August 11 - Better Roads

Broken Bus

How Politics Poisoned U.S. Public Transportation

Vox brings out the subtleties in explaining the underperformance of the U.S. public transportation system.

August 11 - Vox

New Auto Restrictions On San Francisco's Market Street Go Into Effect Today

Private autos will have restricted access to a congested stretch of downtown San Francisco's main drag, Market Street, beginning August 11, in an attempt to make the street safer for non-motorists.

August 11 - San Francisco Chronicle

California's Largest Dam Removal Underway in Monterey County

Even in an epic drought, the long-awaited commencement of the $83 million San Clemente Dam removal project is welcomed as the obsolete dam posed a safety threat to downstream communities and provided very little water due to tremendous silt build-up.

August 11 - Monterey Herald

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