The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Pacific Ocean Beaches

Study: Oahu Could Lose 40 Percent of its Beaches by 2050

A new study calls for changes to coastal management policies to better protect sandy shorelines retreating under the pressure of rising sea levels.

September 28 - The Honolulu Star Advertiser

U.S. Supreme Court

Amy Coney Barrett's Only Property Rights Ruling, Careful, Narrow, Deferential

A month ago, Barrett dismissed a challenge to Chicago's deal with the Obama Center by rejecting a very expansive claim of a "taking" under the 5th Amendment and by showing great deference to the city.

September 28 - California Planning & Development Report

New York Subway Coronvairus

Looking Ahead and Way Back as the U.S. Passes 200,000 Coronavirus Deaths

It's been eight months since the first confirmed infection from the novel coronavirus in Washington state. As deadly as COVID-19 is, Americans should reflect when 200,000 died in a single month from a far deadlier virus 102 years ago.

September 28 - The New York Times

MAX line in front of Pioneer Courthouse

Big Business in Portland Doesn't Want to Pay for Metro Transportation Funding Measure

A heated dispute over a $5 billion Metro transportation funding ballot measure has erupted between climate activists and a group representing Portland's big business interests.

September 28 - The Portland Mercury

Highway Sign in North Carolina

Americans Aren't Likely to Start Driving at Pre-Pandemic Levels Soon

Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and gasoline production trends point to VMT in the United States staying ten to 12 percent lower than in 2019 for the next few months, at least.

September 28 - Eno Center for Transportation


The Oval+

Covid-19 Outdoor Dining Rules Could Last Through 2021 in Philadelphia

Emergency outdoor dining regulations approved in June and set to expired in December could now be extended through the coming year.

September 28 - WHYY

Bank Owned

Wall Street Wagering on a Permanent Suburban Renter Class

Expectations that the economic downturn of the COVID-19 pandemic will create a wave of homeowners leaving the market, whether by choice or necessity, are driving big acquisitions by private equity firms and Wall Street investors.

September 28 - The Wall Street Journal


Raleigh, North Carolina

Richmond-to-Raleigh High-Speed Rail Gets Big Funding Win

Federal grant funding awarded recently takes a critical step toward making high-speed intercity rail service a reality between North Carolina and Virginia.

September 27 - The News & Observer

COVID-19 City

New Google Map Layer Shows COVID-19 Infection Rates

A new layer showing the seven-day average of confirmed COVID-19 cases started rolling out to Android and iPhones last week.

September 27 - The Verge

Washington, D.C.

Union Station Redesign Gets a Placemaking Do Over

Criticisms of a draft plan to revamp D.C.'s Union Station have described the proposal as far too concerned with car storage.

September 27 - Greater Greater Washington

New York City Open Streets

New York Outdoor Dining, Open Streets Programs Now Permanent

New York City will now be measurably less car-centric for the indefinite future.

September 27 - Eater New York

Oahu

Affordable Housing Project Fails From Community Opposition in Honolulu

The final demise of a closely watched, controversial affordable housing project was reported this week in Honolulu.

September 25 - KITV4

Car-Centric Planning

BLOG POST

4 Urban Planning Fails We Need to Correct in 2020

Here are four urban planning fails that should be near the top of the list as professionals assess what to address in 2020 and 2021.

September 25 - Devin Partida

Boston, Massachusetts

Mega-Project Aims to Transform South Boston

Developers with a ground lease for land owned by the University of Massachusetts Boston want to build a new mixed-use development to rival Kendall Square in nearby Cambridge.

September 25 - The Boston Globe

Washington D.C.

Vision Zero on the Streets of D.C.

Bike and pedestrian deaths have been on the rise in D.C. despite a Vision Zero commitment. New legislation will pave the way for new infrastructure and safety improvements.

September 25 - The Washington Post

Black Lives Matter

A New Guide to Black Voices on the City

Introducing a new interactive resource that presents the contributions of the Black community to a growing understanding of cities and the built environment.

September 24 - Black Voices on the City

irishtown bend

Legacy Cities, Post-Pandemic

The question of how the pandemic and all of its corresponding crises will alter the future of cities and planning has persisted since March. This article rightfully focuses those large, challenging questions of the Legacy Cities of the United States.

September 24 - Economic Innovation Group

Texas Bike Lane

Bike Ridership Booms in Some Unlikely Cities

A fitness tracking app reports dramatic increases in bike ridership since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

September 24 - Bloomberg CityLab

Oil

Gone by 2035: Gas-Powered Car Sales Have an Expiration Date in California

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced yesterday an executive order that would ban the sale of cars powered by internal combustion engines by 2035. California is the first state in the country to take such action.

September 24 - Palm Springs Desert Sun

Valley Metro

Phoenix's Valley Metro Works on Three Light Rail Project During Pandemic Lull

Construction continues on three Phoenix light rail projects set to be completed in 2024.

September 24 - Arizona Republic

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.