The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

New Zealand parliament

New Zealand Lawmakers Propose Countrywide 'Medium Density Residential Standards'

The country of New Zealand could take the drastic step of implementing planning reforms that allow more dense residential developments throughout the country.

October 20 - Stuff

Expo Line LA Skyline

New Bike and Bus Lanes Coming to Culver City, California

The MOVE Culver City project will connect downtown Culver City with the E Line train, giving residents easier access to downtown Los Angeles and beach communities.

October 19 - Urbanize Los Angeles

Houston, Texas

Houston Council Will Consider Stricter Apartment Inspection Process

The proposal would reform the inspection process to improve coordination between departments and institute a fine for landlords who don't make requested repairs.

October 19 - Houston Public Media

Climate Change

Visualizing the Effects of Sea Level Rise on U.S. Cities

A report from Climate Central calls for urgent action, illustrating the potential devastating impact of even a small rise in global temperature on the coastline of major cities.

October 19 - Yahoo News

Image of Welcome to Cedar Grove sign

Should Murals Fall Under Sign Ordinances?

A local controversy in New Jersey has residents debating whether a city should interfere with artistic expression on private property.

October 19 - North Jersey


COTA Bus

Lessons from the Smart Columbus Pilot Program

The former program manager for Smart Columbus discusses the successes, challenges, and unexpected opportunities encountered by the city as it worked to integrate technology into city services and programs.

October 19 - Smart Cities Dive

The East Bay Bike Lane runs along the water in Rhode Island.

Lessons From Past Bike Lane Controversies Rarely Inform Present Debates

History repeats itself with the political controversies created by bike lanes.

October 19 - The Boston Globe


An image of a mural depicting Gloria Casarez on the outside of a gym on 12street in Philadelphia.

Controversy on Philadelphia's Historic Commission Over Mayoral Pressure

As one of the most historic cities in the country, Philadelphia faces uniquely intense pressures between historic preservation and development. A new controversy on the city's Historic Commission offers the latest example of the dynamic.

October 19 - WHYY

Soldier Field

Phase 1 Revealed for $20 Billion Chicago Megaproject

Plans for One Central, a proposed megadevelopment that would add 22.3 million square feet of buildings to the city of Chicago, are taking shape.

October 19 - Chicago Tribune

The exterior of the Natural History Museum of Utah.

ASLA 2021 Professional Awards Announced

The ASLA's 2021Professional Awards offer eye candy and design inspiration in equal measure—reflecting a profession continuing to increase its role in advancing social issues in the built and natural environments.

October 18 - American Society Of Landscape Architects

COVID-19 Pandemic

Boosters Bring Normalcy Back to Tel Aviv

Life in Tel Aviv is bustling again since COVID-19 vaccine boosters became accessible to anyone over 12 years of age. Traffic is now more of a concern than COVID, Mayor Ron Huldai told Bloomberg CityLab during a visit to 'quiet' Manhattan.

October 18 - Bloomberg CityLab

Hope VI Housing

New Public Housing? HUD Has Found a Way

For decades, the number of public housing units across the U.S. has been shrinking. But within the limits of the law and funding, HUD has figured out a way to get back some of the housing that has been lost.

October 18 - Shelterforce Magazine

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

60 Percent of D.C. Metrorail Fleet Pulled From Service After Last Week's Derailment

The disruptions caused by an October 12 train derailment on D.C. Metrorail's Blue Line are spreading to the entire system.

October 18 - WTOP

Dry Lake in Arizona

Report: Southwest Drought a 'Preview of Coming Attractions'

A NOAA-led task force warns that the drought facing the western U.S. will continue well into 2022 or later without serious efforts to mitigate human-caused global warming.

October 18 - Climate.gov

Germany

How Global Cities Are Working to Electrify Transit

With the transportation sector accounting for a third of urban carbon emissions, cities around the world are seeking new ways to electrify their transit fleets and reduce fossil fuel consumption.

October 18 - The New York Times

Image of Buford Highway, Georgia

Major Redevelopment Planned for Gwinnett County, Georgia

City leaders in Norcross, Georgia approved a plan that would bring new housing, retail, and parks to a 'long-neglected' stretch of highway.

October 18 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

GIS Mobile App

FEATURE

Survey: What Mobile Apps Are Most Useful for Planning in 2021?

Planetizen is requesting your input in creating the definitive list of mobile apps for professional, student, academic, or citizen planners—updated for a planning profession forever altered by the Covid-19 pandemic.

October 18 - Planetizen

Single-Family Housing Development

Single-Family Zoning Reform Only a Start

Opinion: To undo the consequences (intended or not) of a built environment dominated by single-family zoning, more than just a few three-plexes and accessory dwelling units will be required.

October 17 - Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University

A view from above of the Oakland neighborhood in Pittsburgh.

Controversial Zoning Changes Clear the Way for New Pittsburgh Subdistrict

The Pittsburgh City Council gave the green light to a zoning amendment that could eventually produce 1,000 apartment units planned for the neighborhood of Oakland.

October 17 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Complexities of Park Access

Park access is not only about reducing travel distance to a park; it is a complex issue that requires a variety of creative solutions.

October 17 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

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.