The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Young Planners

What Makes a Planner an Urban Scientist?

Among other traits, science-minded planners must seriously reflect on what it is they know about their field, seeking good reasons and solid evidence for why they accept those things, writes Jodie Sackett, a Los Angeles County urban planner.

August 11 - UrbDeZine

Is Los Angeles Ready for Mobility 2035?

The rhetoric is heating up as Los Angeles considers its most significant upgrade to transportation policy since 1999.

August 11 - Los Angeles Times

Remember That Katrina Cottages Thing? Whatever Happened to That?

Katrina Cottages held such great promise 10 years ago, as an alternative to FEMA trailers. But a host of roadblocks stood in the way. After a decade, has the tiny house time arrived?

August 11 - PlaceShakers

Wealthy Suburbs Flout Illinois' Affordable Housing Mandate

The state of Illinois finds itself without a "stick" to enforce the mandates of its Affordable Housing Planning and Appeals Act. Towns have noticed and are flouting the law.

August 11 - Chicago Tribune

Critiquing the UN's Sustainable Development Goals

Much to the chagrin of Americans of conservative political stripes, the United Nations has adopted a set sustainable development goals. According to a recent op-ed, however, the left also has reason to fault the UN's efforts.

August 10 - Jacobin


Home Sold Sign

$1 Billion Master Planned Community Moving Forward on the Ohio River

A suburb of Cincinnati provides evidence of renewed demand for master planned communities.

August 10 - Cincinnati Business Courier

Indego Bikeshare in Philadelphia Building on Early Success

Now that Philadelphia has established itself as a bikeshare town by quickly reaching high numbers of rides on Indego, the question turns to what happens next for expanding and improving the system.

August 10 - PlanPhilly


Maximizing Opportunity Urbanism With Robin Hood Planning

"How enlightened planners can be champions for the little guy and save America in the process." An urban planner policy framework for increasing upward social mobility and reducing inequality in cities.

August 10 - Center for Opportunity Urbanism

EPA Causes Massive Spill, Discoloring a Colorado River

The Environmental Protection Agency finds itself in a peculiar place. Normally it investigates spills caused by the private sector. Now it's cleaning up a massive spill it caused while investigating a leak at an abandoned mine in southwest Colorado.

August 10 - The New York Times - U.S.

City Hall

BLOG POST

Better City-Making Means Breaking Down Silos—Here's How

How can city hall leaders break down silos between departments and disciplines, and get to a more holistic approach to city-making? It takes more than just organizational restructuring—it takes real culture change. Here's how.

August 10 - Brent Toderian

Oakland Architecture in Music Video

The Significance of Architecture in Music Videos

What can be learned from music videos about popular culture's relationship to architecture?

August 10 - ArchDaily

Litigation of Boise Anti-Camping Ordinance Could Have National Implications

A lawsuit in Boise could decide the future of one policy response to homelessness—making it illegal to sleep in public.

August 10 - Los Angeles Times

Wheelchair Curb Cut

25 Years of the Americans With Disabilities Act

Twenty-five years have passed since the United States approved a civil rights law with broad and positive affect on the build environment as we've come to know it.

August 10 - Curbed

On the Role of University Presses in the Urbanism Conversation

After enjoying a strong run of prominence and success, the new economy is taking its toll on university presses.

August 10 - Next City

Desert Road

Restoring the First Cross Country Interstate in the Southern States*

Partly absorbed by 1-10 and party given over the ravages of time—the Old Spanish Trail was the first to highway to connect the East Coast to the West Coast through the southern states.

August 9 - Atlas Obscura

Los Angeles River

Frank Gehry Hired to Plan the Los Angeles River—Controversy Ensues

Details are scarce—but reports are that Frank Gehry has been working behind the scenes to create a new vision for the Los Angeles River.

August 9 - Los Angeles Times

Seattle's 'Oh So Human' Hesitations About Change

Seattle's recent Housing and Livability Agenda (HALA) recommendations have created a sensational dialogue about zoning, affordability and neighborhood change. Chuck Wolfe explains how this may create an unprecedented basis for consensus in the city.

August 9 - Crosscut

Sutter Street from above

Who Should Pay for Congestion in Booming San Francisco?

Facing record-level population growth and a booming job market, the city of San Francisco wants luxury developers to pay into the public transit system.

August 9 - CityLab

First Senate Bill Introduced to Raise Gas Tax

Carper, a Democrat, hopes to take advantage of historically low gas prices to hike the federal fuel taxes four cents a year for four years to end reliance on General Funds to fund transportation spending. Increased credits would offset the tax hike.

August 9 - The Hill

Corruption Investigation Rocks San Francisco City Hall

Corruption charges tainted the San Francisco political ranks this week, with implications of corruption and bribery in the land use and construction process, among other charges, reaching the Mayor's Office and many others.

August 8 - San Francisco Examiner

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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.