The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

View from above platform in D.C. Brutalist subway station with people waiting on platforms

D.C. Leads the Nation for Transit Recovery

Ridership on the region’s rail systems is rebounding faster than other major transit systems.

July 9 - Greater Greater Washington

Aerial view of beach bike path and palm trees in Santa Monica, California

Podcast Shows Urban Planning Is Anything But Dull

“Urban Planning is Not Boring” is a podcast created by USC alumni Samantha Ellman and Natalie Ikhrata which highlights just how fascinating the field of planning can be.

July 7 - The Daily Trojan

Aerial view of strip mall with diagonal parking spots in Coquille, Oregon

Oregon’s Under-the-Radar Parking Revolution

Thanks to parking reforms at the state level, Oregon cities are rapidly eliminating parking requirements, paving the way for more affordable housing construction and higher density.

July 7 - Sightline

An aerial view of the Pennsylvania State Capitol building.

Pennsylvania Law Removes Obstacles to Blight Reduction

“We don’t need every old coal miner’s house” to stay standing, says Sen. David Argall (R-Schuylkill).

July 7 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A futuristic reimagining of a D.C. street with green pathways and open waterways instead of car-filled streets.

Friday Eye Candy: AI Envisions Solutions to the Challenges Facing Cities

Phoenix reimagined for shade. Los Angeles as a place where everybody walks. San Francisco with affordable housing. AI makes a vision of the future possible.

July 7 - Chris Steins via Medium


Close-up of hand filling car with gas at gas pump

California Gasoline Tax Rises by 4 Cents

You might have missed it as legislators didn't vote on it—not this year, anyway—despite attempts by Republicans to suspend the increase.

July 6 - The Mercury News

Cars wait in line to get into Yosemite National Park

Overcrowding at Yosemite National Park

Long lines of cars have been trying to enter the park, with many stuck in traffic for hours and vehicles parked illegally in traffic lanes, on grass, and between rocks.

July 6 - Los Angeles Times


View of Westpark/Lower Uptown transit center in Houston with bus exiting three-story garage vuilding and purple sunset sky in background

Making Space for Buses

In Houston, transit officials are working to balance plans for a new bus rapid transit line with existing street trees and traffic lanes.

July 6 - Houston Chronicle

Night view of wildfire burning near residential area in California

Wildfire Exposure More Than Doubled Since 2000

More intense and widespread fires caused by climate change and changing air temperature are threatening more existing communities.

July 6 - Source NM

Woven willow casket with white flowers on top sits on table with pleated tablecloth on green lawn

Minnesota Halt on Natural Burials Runs Afoul of Religious Freedom

The practice, which is gaining popularity as an environmentally friendly alternative to embalming and cremation, is in line with traditional Jewish and Muslim funeral practices.

July 6 - MinnPost

Construction workers, bulldozer, and unfinished bridge or highway sillhouetted against orange sunset sky

BLOG POST

How Does an Economic Downturn Impact City Infrastructure?

From budget cuts to delayed maintenance projects, cities adapt, prioritize, and innovate amidst financial challenges to ensure sustainable and resilient urban environments.

July 6 - Devin Partida

Eviction notice on table with surgical face mask lying next to it.

Evictions Surge as Protections End

With pandemic assistance funding running out, many U.S. renters face the threat of eviction, with families with children at a disproportionately high risk for losing their housing.

July 6 - The Hill

View of docks on lake surrounded by green trees and lawns with one white house at right

A Primer on Suburban Urbanism

How one master-planned development used lower-density urbanism principles to build a community focused on affordability, sustainability, and conservation.

July 6 - Common Edge

Diverse group of young people walking through forest

Who Is Enjoying the Great Outdoors?

Findings from the 2023 Annual Outdoor Participation Trends Report reveals the “who, how, and where” in participation in outdoor recreation.

July 5 - Breaking Travel News

The view down Main Street in Akron, Ohio

A Small Town Makes its First Zoning Update Since 1997

Mixed-use development and a floodplain overlay are the big-ticket items when the small community of Akron Borough in Pennsylvania recently updated its zoning code.

July 5 - Lancaster Online

The construction site of a new development in the Azabudai Hills neighborhood of Tokyo.

A New Tallest Skyscraper for Japan

The Toranomon-Azabudai reaches 330 meters into the sky, far lower than international standards but taller by 30 meters than the previous tallest building in Japan.

July 5 - CNN

Chicken Run

Residential Zoning Changes Make Room for Chickens

Yes in my backyard—for chickens.

July 5 - Mohave Valley Daily News

Bowery

Opinion: Lower Rents Will Give Downtown Spaces Back to the ‘Weirdos’

Introducing the “CBGB theory of city planning.”

July 5 - Publicola

A Brightline train leaving the Fort Lauderdale Station.

Brightline Completes Higher-Speed Rail Construction in Florida

Florida will soon be home to 170 miles of higher-speed, intercity rail service.

July 5 - WESH

Woman searchinig Airbnb app on phone

Airbnb Market in ‘Collapse,’ Analyst Says

Recent analysis shows Airbnb revenues in steep decline in some large U.S. markets. The consequences of such a decline could send shockwaves through the entire residential real estate market.

July 5 - Yahoo News

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.