The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
New Los Angeles Mayoral Directive on Water Conservation
In an effort to conserve water and prevent the expensive water importation in the future, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti recently published a new directive for city-wide water conservation.
The Environmental Downside of Falling Oil Prices
Ben Adler of Grist writes how falling oil prices will affect climate change. Cheaper gas prices may encourage more driving and more truck sales at the expense of hybrid, electric, and fuel efficient cars, but the news may not be all bad.
New Study Finds California’s Local Streets and Roads In Perpetual Disrepair
The biennial California Statewide Local Streets and Roads Needs Assessment survey found a $78.3 billion funding shortfall over the next 10 years.
Mapping the Knowledge Domain of Planning
Tom Sanchez and Nader Afzalan explore the age old question, "what is planning?" in their new report published earlier this week.
Cities Passing Up Opportunity to Amass Uber's Valuable Data
The legalization (or illegalization) process of Uber throughout the country allows city governments to leverage a data exchange with the company, but too many municipalities are passing up this momentous opportunity.
Friday Eye Candy: New York Street Life in High Definition
A few minutes of the film "Street" by James Nares shows only a few seconds of life in New York City—but such poetry is found there.
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Halloween Costumes for Urban Planners - 4th Edition
The fourth edition of our comprehensive list of amazing Halloween costumes for urban planners.
The Federal Housing Administration's Ongoing, Systematic Obstruction of Density
Scott Beyer writes that despite changes to policies allowing insured mortgages by the Federal Housing Administration's (FHA), the federal government continues to obstruct density by limiting support for condo owners.
Nashville Mayor Puts Bus Rapid Transit Proposal on the Shelf
The controversial, $175 million Nashville bus rapid transit project will be up to the city's next mayor.
For Playable Cities: Make the City a Playground
The "Using Behavioral Economics to Create Playable Cities" report suggests that so much time spent in front of screens, and the continued need to counter the obesity epidemic, requires new thinking about play for children living in cities.
Is Racism Behind the Density Debate in San Diego?
A high profile environmental attorney in San Diego called out neighborhood opposition to development that would add density for "selfishness and closet racism."
Checking in on Lake Erie's $3 Billion 'Project Clean Lake'
A rainwater retention facility in Cleveland represents a small step forward with a controversial 25-year, $3 billion plan to clean Lake Erie.
Oregon Announces Volunteer Trial for Vehicle Miles Traveled Tax
The moment some advocates have been waiting for is inching closer—the Oregon Department of Transportation is acting on the enabling legislation of Senate Bill 880 to set a volunteer mileage fee system.
Struggling Toll Roads Make for Good Investments
In another example of a struggling toll road attracting no shortage of investors, the poor revenue performance of the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency in Orange County, California has not dissuaded investors, as the returns are high.
An Outsider’s Perspective On Bicycling In Los Angeles
Stephen Corwin describes a Vancouverite’s experience cycling throughout Los Angeles.
Racial Inequalities Withholding $2.1 Trillion from U.S. GDP
A new study by PolicyLink and the University of Southern California's Program for Environmental and Regional Equity showed that U.S. GDP would expand by $2.1 trillion if racial minorities had equal access to opportunities within the job market.
Generation X Leads the Decline of Homeownership
A snarky post written for The Atlantic identifies a forgotten culprit in the country's dropping homeownership rates: Generation X.
Fix Philadelphia's Parkway by Turning Logan Circle into a Square
Does Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway really deserve a multi-year celebration of its upcoming centennial? No. Why? Because, as hard as it may be to admit, the Parkway was a mistake. To fix it, start by turning Logan Circle back into a square.
Lesson from Houston: Crashes Double after Red Light Cameras Removed
Red light cameras are usually controversial. In Houston voters chose to remove 50 cameras at high-risk intersections. Since then, crashes have increased 117 percent.
It's a Hydropower World
Around the world, countries are building new dams for hydroelectric power at a frenzied pace. Vox examines the benefits and drawbacks of hydroelectric power.
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.
