The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
The Great Streetcar Debate
David Alpert and Jarrett Walker go head to head debating the merit of streetcar systems in many United States cities and suburbs and their efficiency at creating urban, walkable communities.
Master Plan to Revitalize Salt Lake City's Struggling West Side
The Poplar Grove and Glendale neighborhoods in Salt Lake City perform poorly on the federal government's "opportunity index." A new master plan, however, would focus on transportation and nodes of activity to revitalize the area.
It's Official: No More 'Paper or Plastic' in California
If you forget to bring a bag, pay a dime for either a paper or reusable plastic bag. Single-use plastic bags will disappear from grocery stores and pharmacies on July 1, convenience and liquor stores a year later. A composting bill was also signed.
San Francisco Considers a 'Facadectomy'
One possible frame though which to consider the ongoing evolution of cities like San Francisco: the measures (sometimes) taken to preserve the historic fabric of the city.
So Why Doesn't CEQA Change?
Developers, public officials and others complain about the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). But the law doesn't change because everyone—even developers and public agencies—has something to gain from the leverage it offers.
Will New Jersey Raise Its Gas Tax?
New Jersey's gas tax has been stuck at 14.50 cents per gallon since 1988; only Alaska's is lower. An Assembly committee began hearings on increasing the tax to fix crumbling roads and improve transit. It's high-end benchmark: a 31-cent increase.
Skateboard Urbanism on the Rise
More cities around the country are embracing skateparks as a vital part of park design, leading to a new wave of urban design standards tailored for skateboarders.
Jersey City Joins NYC's Citi Bikes; Neighbors Create Separate System
Despite plans to create a uniform bike sharing program through the three New Jersey cities of Hoboken, Jersey City, and Weehawken, in the end Jersey City will join the Citi Bikes program while Hoboken and Weehawken partner with Next Bike.
Neighborhoods, Streets, and Public Space: 30 'Great Places in America'
The American Planning Association (APA) has released its annual list of 10 Great Neighborhoods, 10 Great Streets, and 10 Great Public Spaces.
Anti-Growth Measures Adopting Pro-Growth Language to Survive
John King has reason to believe a cultural shift toward taller buildings and mixed-use neighborhoods is underway in the Bay Area. How? The language used by opponents of those causes.
LADOT Releases 'Great Streets for Los Angeles' Strategic Plan, Sets Vision Zero Goal
Following a year when 80 pedestrians were killed by cars in the city, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation has proposed a new strategic plan that sets Vision Zero goals for pedestrian fatalities and reflects new priorities for the city.
'Trees in Hard Landscapes': Guide for High-Performance Urban Infrastructure
A new cross-disciplinary report cites 32 case studies to offer practical solutions for integrating trees into civic spaces and surface car parks.
FEATURE
The Faith-Based Gap in the Institutional Landscape of Cities
By focusing on their common interest in working toward the public good, the gap between faith-based institutions and the planning processes of their communities can be bridged.
Adapting to Rising Seas in Boston with Venice-Style Canals
The latest example of a coastal city designing urban resilience as both amenity and infrastructure—a plan to build Venice-style canals in Boston.
Streetscape Improvements in The Castro Include New, Improved Rainbow Design
Not to be outdone by West Hollywood, San Francisco's premier gay neighborhood has painted crosswalks on Castro Street in rainbow colors. However, it's only one part of a much bigger streetscape improvement project that involved huge community input.
Leadership Change, Layoffs for Las Vegas Downtown Project
The high-profile Downtown Project in Las Vegas, led by Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh, made the wrong kind of news this week.
Gentrification's Liberal Enablers
Gavin Mueller writes a withering critique of the forces behind gentrification and the liberal justifications that allow poverty and racism to persist.
Economists Give Uber and Lyft a Resounding Thumbs Up
A recent survey of the Initiative on Global Markets Economic Experts Panel found clear and broad support for the economic benefits of transportation network companies.
The Case for Selling Air Rights
Scott Beyer argues that more compact, vertically-oriented cities, like Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, and Washington D.C., should sell the air rights above public projects.
Map Shows the Transportation Agencies Buying Buses and Trains
Looking for a mapping tool that makes it easy to reference news about which agencies are buying what kind of rolling stock and when?
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.
