The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

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.
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.
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?
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.
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.

$1 Billion Master Planned Community Moving Forward on the Ohio River
A suburb of Cincinnati provides evidence of renewed demand for master planned communities.
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.
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.
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.

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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.

The Significance of Architecture in Music Videos
What can be learned from music videos about popular culture's relationship to architecture?
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.

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.
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.

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.

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.
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.

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.
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.
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.
Pagination
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
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.