The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Bonaventure Expressway

How Highway Removal Can Benefit Cities

Cities across the country are reevaluating the impacts of major highway on neighborhoods and looking for ways to revitalize and reconnect communities.

June 1 - The New York Times

 Person in a wheelchair entering an inbound Red Line train at Harvard Square

Federal Bill Proposes $10 Billion for Transit Accessibility

The program would fund improvements such as elevators, ramps, and accessible ticketing equipment to bring the nation's transit stations up to ADA standards.

June 1 - Smart Cities Dive

Harlem

Debt Piles Up for Low-Income Renters

As the end of federal and state eviction moratoriums looms, renters who fell behind on payments during the pandemic now face "staggering" amounts of debt.

June 1 - New York Times

Downtown Houston and Buffalo Bayou

New Park Opens as Part of Houston's Ambitious Bayou Greenways 2020 Plan

Bayou Greenways Park is part of a decade-long project building 172 miles of connected greenways around the city of Houston.

May 30 - Houston Chronicle

Basement Apartment

Improving Racial Equity via Emergency Rental Assistance

Five ways to ensure that rental assistance reaches communities of color with high levels of need.

May 30 - Shelterforce Magazine


walkable street

Cities Seeking '20-Minute Living'

Reducing car dependency can improve air quality, increase access to jobs and opportunities, and help cities meet emissions reduction goals.

May 30 - The Washington Post

Aerial view of Atlanta BeltLine greenway with multistory buildings one ither side

Georgia's Efforts to Reduce Carbon Emissions

The state is diversifying its energy sources to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030, in line with federal climate goals.

May 30 - Atlanta Journal-Constitution


Tacoma Washington

Sweeping Residential Zoning Reform Advances in Tacoma

Zoning and land use changes proposed in the Home in Tacoma plan, an element of the One Tacoma Comprehensive Plan, was approved this month by the Tacoma Planning Commission.

May 28 - The Urbanist

Suburban multi-family

How Federal Incentives Can Increase Access for Section 8 Recipients

Landlords are the focus of a proposed bill that would provide extra perks for accepting Housing Choice vouchers.

May 28 - Bloomberg CityLab

Cherry Blossoms

D.C. Tops the 2021 ParkScore List

The Trust for Public Land has published the most recent version of its annual ranking of parks and open space. A new twist for 2021includes a new metric to consider equity.

May 28 - Trust for Public Land

Bus Rapid Transit

Jaime Lerner, One of the World's Most Influential Urbanists, Passes Away at the Age of 83

A sad day for the world of planning and urban design innovation, as Jaime Lerner, the Brazilian urbanist who created the concept of bus rapid transit as we know it today, passed away in Brazil.

May 28 - ArchDaily

Local Crafts and Goods

An Overlooked Economic Powerhouse for Small Cities

Attracting a major employer or a tech company is not the only economic development strategy that deserves attention and investment.

May 27 - Next City

Glenwood Green Acres, Philadelphia

Housing Design That Advances Health

Applying trauma-informed principles, reducing social isolation, and encouraging active living—how housing can be designed to promote good health.

May 27 - Shelterforce Magazine

Open Streets

CicLAvia Helping Restaurants Keep Outdoor Dining

CicLAvia is working with the city to make its "al fresco dining" program permanent.

May 27 - LAist

Capitol Hill

Transportation Reauthorization Advances in Congress—Transit Advocates Aren't Happy

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee voted this week to advance the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act of 2021, Congress's five-year reauthorization of the federal surface transportation bill.

May 27 - Transportation for America

Social Distancing

Returning to the Office: Will Vaccinations Be Required?

A survey by Kaiser Health News of 15 of America's largest companies found that none are considering vaccine mandates, but most offer employee incentives. Mandates may be more of consideration after the FDA approves the vaccines.

May 27 - Kaiser Health News

Maryland Transit Administration

New Tool Demystifies Regulations Around Maryland's Purple Line

The tool aims to help stakeholders "cut through regulatory complexity" and ensure equitable access to the light rail line's economic benefits.

May 27 - Greater Greater Washington

Bromo Seltzer Tower Baltimore

Proposed Bill Could Fund Redevelopment of Baltimore's 'Highway to Nowhere'

The Reconnecting Communities Act would provide funding for retrofitting highway infrastructure and reconnecting neighborhoods cut off by road projects.

May 27 - Baltimore Magazine

The Vessel

Suicides Prompt New Public Access Rules for the Vessel at Manhattan's Hudson Yards

The Vessel is reopening after closing for four months due to a rash of suicides.

May 27 - New York Post

Domed stadium in Houston, Texas

Renewed Efforts to Redevelop Houston's Historic Astrodome

A nonprofit hopes to create a viable plan for the iconic stadium—and find a way to pay for it.

May 26 - Houston Chronicle

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.