The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Road Diet Scheduled for Two of Akron's Most Dangerous Streets

Two streets in Akron, one-way and four or five lanes across, have become too much of a safety hazard, and city officials are ready to make a change.

April 20 - WKYC

American Planning Association 2015

BLOG POST

Welcome to a New Era of Planning: the APA National Conference Draws a Crowd

The American Planning Association's 2015 National Conference has launched in Seattle, with more attendees than any event since before the recession.

April 19 - James Brasuell

'50 Parks' Program Improves Los Angeles' Parks Disparity

Los Angeles is known for a few magnificent parks—but they are hard to reach and concentrated in affluent areas. The 50 Parks program, however, is delivering on its titular promise.

April 19 - Next City

Ecomobility festival Carfree

What Happened When a Neighborhood Banned Cars for a Month

A recently published book describes the outcomes of the EcoMobility festival held in Suwon, South Korea during September of 2013.

April 19 - Pop-Up City

Report: Downzoning Fails Demographics on Chicago's Northside

Lakeview, on the North Side of Chicago lost one percent of its total households between 2000 and 2011, while its population grew 11 percent. That means more families, but according to a new report, the neighborhood might need new zoning to keep up.

April 19 - Chi.Streetsblog


Report Assesses Expressway Removal Options for the Toronto Waterfront

A recently released report makes the case for removing, in part or in full, an elevated span of roadway along the Toronto Waterfront.

April 19 - The Toronto Star

Gated House

The Rise of 'Segregated Affluence'

American cities are often described as 'segregated,' but segregation is not always well defined. A new study reveals a distinctive pattern: American cities tend to have many small areas of affluence amid fewer, but often larger, areas of poverty.

April 18 - The Atlantic


Transit Cuts in Wisconsin Making it Harder to Connect People to Jobs

Buses in the Milwaukee County Transit System now reach 1,300 fewer employers than it did in 2001 thanks to state budget cuts.

April 18 - Urban Milwaukee

Planning for New Protected Bike Lanes in Northeast Seattle

The Seattle Department of Transportation is pitching new bike routes as safe infrastructure for all ages.

April 18 - The Urbanist

Drinking Water

The Case for Desalination: Option of Last Resort for Some California Cities

In this radio report on the use of the expensive, controversial strategy of desalination to meet California's water needs in an epic drought, KQED's science reporter speaks with the mayor of Carmel, a V.P. of Poseidon Water, and an environmentalist.

April 18 - NPR-Morning Edition

Dallas Takes Largest Version of the Trinity Toll Road Off the Table

It seems like the political winds are moving against the Dallas Trinity Toll Road proposal—but the debate isn't over yet.

April 18 - The Dallas Morning News

Zoning Code Update Sparks Vocal Opposition in Santa Monica

The liberal, affluent enclave of Santa Monica is infamous for its controversies over growth policy. A proposed Zoning Ordinance Update (ZOU), currently under consideration by the City Council, has struck a nerve.

April 17 - KPCC

New York City Public Housing Project

NYC Public Housing Still in Grim Shape

Public housing doesn't suffer the derision that it used to, but housing agencies remain strapped. Critics and residents contend that the New York City Housing Authority, the largest landlord of them all, continues to let down the city's neediest.

April 17 - Pacific Standard

Should a Parking Lot in D.C. Be Saved in the Name of Historic Preservation?

In the wealthy community of Spring Valley, just inside the western boundaries of the District of Columbia, residents are opposing a proposed development by claiming the site—a parking lot—is a historic landmark.

April 17 - Washington City Paper

A New Remedy for America's Complicated Immigration History

Our immigration system is broken and needs comprehensive reform. Comprehensive reform would address all aspects of our immigration system, not just focus on enforcement measures, for example, or on updating a single kind of visa.

April 17 - Shelterforce

High Line Crowds

Not All Parks Are Created Equal

Parks almost always sound like a good idea. But some are vacant while others are transformative. Here's a list of ten recently completed projects that fall solidly in the latter category.

April 17 - USA Today

Inside the $1 Billion 'Hipster Mega-Project' at Brooklyn's Sunset Park

Henry Melcher reports on the massive investment plans for Industry City in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

April 17 - The Architect's Newspaper

Caltrans Sets Ambitious Targets for Alternative Transportation

Following a string of developments in 2014 pushing the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) toward more multi-modal planning, a new Strategic Management Plan lays out ambitious goals for the increased use of alternative modes.

April 17 - Streetsblog California

Protected Bike Lane Creates Controversy on Chicago's Kinzie Street

A brewing controversy pits a developer and politician against Chicago's Department of Transportation regarding how and where bike lanes work with the auto traffic created by building uses.

April 17 - Chicago Tribune

Ontario to Join Quebec in Cap-and-Trade Program

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne made a strong case for taking decisive climate change action when she signed an historic agreement to join the Quebec program that trades carbon with California.

April 17 - The Globe and Mail

Post News

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.