The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
101 Freeway in California Slower Than Ever After Widening, Locals Say
Induced demand strikes again.
BeltLine Construction Projects Delayed
Atlanta officials say delays in relocating fiber lines are slowing construction on the walking and biking trail.
Federal Report: Highway Construction 50 Percent More Expensive Than in 2020
An FHWA index that tracks the costs of highway building shows a sharp increase in materials and fuel costs.
Study: Transit Cuts Can Increase Poverty, Unemployment
An analysis of Clayton County, Georgia, which lost access to public transit for five years, shows a significant increase in unemployment rates and poverty during that timeframe.
The Nation’s Most Endangered Rivers
An annual list from American Rivers highlights the waterways most at risk from climate change, poor water management, pollution, and other dangers.
Maryland Assembly Passes ‘Fair Fares Act’
If signed by the governor, the act will halt a scheduled fare increase previously tied to inflation.
Richmond Poised to Repeal Parking Minimums
The city’s planning commission recommended that the city council eliminate parking mandates that limit housing production and increase housing costs.
Seattle Downtown Plan Focuses on Public Safety, Programming
The mayor issued a 12-point plan for improving safety, developing services for people struggling with addiction, and revitalizing downtown spaces.
Berkeley’s First-in-Nation Natural Gas Ban Overthrown by Court Ruling
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Berkeley does not have the power to mandate electric hookups in new development because a federal rule preempts the local regulation.
Boba as a Symbol of Identity and Culture
The Chinese American Museum in L.A. currently features an exhibit exploring the drink’s journey from the cassava root in South America, to the tapioca balls in the Taiwanese confection, and back to the U.S. as a symbol of Asian American identity.
Transit Agencies Could Lose Access to Twitter Updates
Twitter announced it would start charging for access to its API, which many transit and government agencies rely on to provide real-time service updates.
Opinion: The Time for ‘Yard Reform’ is Now
Replacing lawns with native plants and grasses saves water and improves biodiversity, but some cities make the practice illegal.
Texas State Bills Would Let Cities Lower Speed Limits
The proposed legislation would give cities the ability to reduce neighborhood speed limits without having to produce expensive traffic studies.
Opinion: Improving Transit More Important Than Free Fares
More investments in high-quality transit service coupled with income-based discounts could offer a better way to boost ridership and help low-income riders.
The East Coast Greenway Is Stitching Together a 3,000-Mile Trail Network
The ever-evolving greenway connects biking and walking trails from Maine to Florida.
PLANOPEDIA
What Is an Easement?
There are limits to the rights and powers associated with land ownership. Easements are a critical example of how property rights can be balanced with the needs of neighbors, the public, and other interests external to the control of property owners.
Garden Transforms Trash Into Works of Art
South Coast Botanic Garden highlights the importance of sustainability through its latest exhibit which consists of 16 giant creatures made from beach debris that washed ashore.
Denver Residents Lack Transit Access to Local Parks
Despite an early plan to run rail lines to the city’s mountain parks, they are not easily accessible to Denverites without cars.
Can Federal Emissions Standards Hasten the Transition to EVs?
The EPA unveiled two far-reaching rules to tighten emission standards for light, medium and heavy duty vehicles that can only be met by transitioning to zero-emission vehicles. The proposal is certain to be challenged in court as an agency overreach.
Building Community Through Small Town Placemaking
A federal program works with rural communities to develop their assets and resources and build a sense of place.
Tyler Technologies
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
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.
