The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Op-Ed: Stop the Hipster Hate
Un-American to some, symbol of oblivious privilege to others, the urban hipster is a polarizing character. But the stereotype also lays blanket criticism on those simply trying to make people-scaled cities work.
Trends Toward Single, Car-Free Living in Chicago
Chicago magazine reports on how developers are responding to a growing share of Chicago residents who don't own a car.
How Many Americans Know How to Ride a Bike?
A Five Thirty Eight article reveals the data on the ubiquity, and relative lack thereof in certain populations, of the ability to ride a bike.

BLOG POST
Airbnb and Affordable Housing
Does apartment-sharing reduce regional housing supply? Probably not very much.
Why So Difficult for States to Raise Gas Taxes? Learning from Alaska and Missouri
Look no further than the state with the lowest gas tax at 11-cents per gallon to see why even when gas prices are at their lowest in five years, it's still a struggle to increase the gas by less than a penny. Missouri may provide a better example.
Will This Bipartisan House Bill to Index the Gas Tax Succeed?
The Bridge to Sustainable Infrastructure Act is taken seriously in Congress. With 17 bipartisan co-sponsors, it would index the gas tax to inflation, thus increasing the Highway Trust Fund revenue and bridging to a sustainable revenue source.
Los Angeles' CAO Shows How Trade-Offs Drive City Budgeting
Yesterday marked the release of the city of Los Angeles Mayor’s Budget for FY 2015-2016, and Chief Administrative Officer Miguel Santana delves into the details.
Greed Revealed in the Manufactured Housing Industry
A company owned by Berkshire Hathaway has been been indulging in some of the same tactics that led to the larger housing crisis about ten years ago.
Need a Better Story? Get a Better To-Do List
If we can't grow our trust networks beyond our tribes, we can forget about working together successfully as communities and regions, let alone as a nation of citizens or in coalitions of nations in common causes.
Foresight and the Built Environment
In the ever changing global landscape, organizations need to anticipate and adapt to shifting circumstances to survive. AJ Artemel spoke to Dr. Gereon Uerz of the Arup Foresight + Innovation team to discuss how this can be realized.

Pittsburgh Reduces Crime with 'Slumlord Buy-Out' Program
At least some of a remarkable 49 percent drop in crime in a rough Pittsburgh is attributed to a new nonprofit-sponsored program designed to put slumlords out of business and get rid of their problem tenants.

BLOG POST
Seattle Sets Bikeshare Record with the APA in Town
Planners have gathered in Seattle to enjoy the city. The city's bikeshare system is also enjoying the planners.

Policy Dos and Don'ts from 'Parking Guru' Donald Shoup
Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning Donald Shoup has caused a revolution in the field of parking economics over his four decades at UCLA.
Slow, Hazardous Progress for Chicago's Navy Pier Flyover Project
A report on the progress so far on the Navy Pier Flyover, a half-mile bridge for recreational users on Chicago's Lakefront Trail.
The Conservative Method of Resilience Planning
Explaining how planning and building for resilience reconciles with Conservative politics.
10-Cent Gas Tax Increase Proposed for Road Maintenance in California
SB 16 would also increase the diesel tax (which hasn't been raised in over two decades) by 12-cents, charge electric vehicles a flat $100 annual fee, and increase registration and license fees.
'Broken Windows' Policy Targets Bikes—and Race—in Tampa
An in-depth investigation by the Tampa Bay Times reveals that Blacks on bikes are targeted by police as indicators of larger crimes.
Students a Bright Light for the Future of Planning at the APA National Conference
The American Planning Association has invited students to contribute blog posts on their reactions to the APA National Conference. Their thoughts so far have revealed holistic concerns and creative thinking—positive signs for the next generation.

San Francisco Seeks Lighter Side of Market Street
San Francisco recently hosted a series of events to make the city's backbone, Market Street, a little more fun. It's the latest of many efforts to revitalize a street that has been problematic even as the rest of the city has boomed.
Emergency Crude-by-Rail Safety Orders Take Effect
The emergency rules issued by DOT, including lowering oil-train speeds to 40 mph in urban areas, go into effect on April 20. They are in addition to rules expected to be released May 12 that address oil tanker car construction.
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.