The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Coronavirus

California's Hospital Crisis: What Lies Ahead

As COVID infections and hospitalizations mount in California, ICU availability dropped to zero in Southern and Central California. Demand for hospital care is also outstripping supply in New Mexico.

December 21 - The Washington Post

Utah

Study Touts the Housing Affordability Benefits of Density for the State of Utah

The density debate can't be avoided in fast-growing Utah, according to the researchers and political leaders who support the findings of a new report from the University of Utah's Kem C. Garner Policy Institute.

December 21 - The Salt Lake Tribune

Congress

Biden Diversifies Cabinet With EPA Administrator, Interior Secretary Picks

President-elect Biden made two historic cabinet selections: Michael Regan, who heads the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, to run the U.S. EPA, and Rep. Deb Haaland of New Mexico, to head the Interior Department.

December 21 - The Washington Post

Coronavirus and Homelessness

'State of the Nation's Housing 2020' Report Traces Impact of COVID-19

The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies releases its "The State of the Nation’s Housing 2020" report last month.

December 21 - Housing Matters

Pumping Gas

Transportation Climate Initiative Expected to Cross the Finish Line

Twelve northeastern states and D.C. are expected to sign a new cap-and-investment scheme designed to lower emissions from transportation.

December 21 - The Boston Globe


Traffic Safety

Vision Zero Action Plan Launched in Houston

In Houston, 60 percent of serious automobile crashes occur on 6 percent of the city's streets. A New Vision Zero Action Plan will focus safety improvements on those streets with a high density of traffic deaths and serious injuries.

December 21 - City of Houston Mayor's Office

Bus Lane

Pandemic Bus Lanes Show Promise as Permanent Solutions

As cities streamline approval processes for bus-only lanes during the pandemic, transit experts hope the projects will lead to lasting change.

December 21 - Streetsblog Chicago


New Jersey

Where Housing Prices Climbed Most During the Pandemic

Homes in suburban and even rural locations were hot commodities on the pandemic real estate market, according to an industry report.

December 21 - Inman News

Delivery Services

BLOG POST

The Link Between Smart Cities, Fleet Technology, and Economics

The theoretical planning of smart cities could help make city economies stronger as purchasing becomes more straightforward.

December 20 - Devin Partida

Garbage

Fighting No-Fault Evictions With a Just Cause Ordinance

Despite a statewide eviction moratorium, thousands of people have been evicted in Chicago since March. A coalition of housing advocates is proposing a just cause ordinance that would halt no-fault evictions.

December 20 - Shelterforce Magazine

Wooden houses covered with snow

A New Standard for Equity Investments

Fifth Third Bank is investing $2.8 billion in its Accelerating Racial Equality, Equity and Inclusion initiative.

December 20 - Business Wire

Thomas/Central Avenue Station

$544 Million in Transit Capital Investment Funding Announced

The latest round of funding for the Federal Transit Administration's Capital Investment Grant funding program was announced this week.

December 20 - Federal Transit Administration

Biden administration

Biden Selects Energy Secretary and New National Climate Advisor

Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, a U.C. Berkeley professor, is Biden's choice to lead the Energy Department. A new position, national climate advisor, will be filled by former Obama EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, current head of the NRDC.

December 18 - Greentech Media

Suburban Pittsburgh

Federal Rent Relief Is a Public Health Imperative

To ensure families stay in their homes and stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government should extend the CDC's eviction moratorium and other rent relief measures through the new year.

December 18 - Urban Wire

Rittenhouse Square

Residential Development Tax to Fund Affordable Housing Programs

Philadelphia's city council passed the city's first-ever residential development impact tax, a plan that could boost the city budget by $9 million a year.

December 18 - WHYY

Manhattan Municipal Building

A Comprehensive Overhaul of Planning Considered in New York City

The New York City Council this week released a report that suggest the city do away with its "piecemeal" approach to planning in favor of a new comprehensive planning framework.

December 18 - New York City Council

New York City Subway

What's in the New Economic Stimulus Package for U.S. Transit Agencies

A new economic stimulus package that appears headed for approval as of this writing will give $15 billion to public transit, far less than transit advocates had hoped, but far better than nothing.

December 17 - Streetsblog USA

Basement Apartment

Security Deposit Alternatives: The Misleading Marketing of 'Renter's Choice'

Dozens of cities and states are considering legislation allowing alternatives to upfront security deposits, such as "security deposit insurance." The only problem? It's not actually insurance.

December 17 - Shelterforce Magazine

IndyGo Enhanced Bus Stop

Indianapolis to Upgrade Bus Stops to 'Super Stops'

Downtown Indianapolis bus stops are getting a makeover with enhancements that prioritize buses and improve rider safety.

December 17 - The Indianapolis Star

Suburban Seattle

Citywide Zoning Reform Approved in Everett

Few cities are accomplishing such a swift and sweeping overhaul of its land use regulations as Everett, Washington, which just wrapped up its second major planning initiative in as many years on its way to launching a third.

December 17 - The Urbanist

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