The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Louisiana Coast Will Disappear, Study Says. The Only Question Is How Soon.
Sea-level rise has passed a tipping point in the Gulf of Mexico.

NACTO Releases Pandemic Streets Design Guide
After three months of study and analysis, NACTO is providing authoritative guidance on new ways of thinking about rights of way now that the coronavirus has changed the way we live and work in cities.

Overcoming the Obstacles to Congestion Pricing
The technology for congestion pricing already exists. The leadership and vision required to implement congestion pricing is still a work in progress, according to a report.

Recording the Quiet of Cities During the Pandemic
The usual sounds of the city have subsided, replaced by birds and quiet that at times can be eery and unsettling.

New York's Open Streets Program Leaves Out Neighborhoods That Need Open Space Most
New York City has opened an increasing number of street miles for pedestrians and people on bikes, but far fewer streets have been opened in the neighborhoods that need it most—low income neighborhoods lacking walkable access to parks and open space.

Climate Change in Action: Massive Storms, Dam Failures
The dam failures that sent residents of Michigan scrambling last week can be connected to the extreme weather events created by climate change, according to experts.

Virgin Trains USA Not Restarting Service Yet
The closely monitored private rail company says it has no plans to reopen in Florida any time soon, even as the state relaxes its stay-at-home orders and intercity rail in other parts of the country prepares to restart.

Edmonton Could Suspend Transit Service for the Summer
As the city of Edmonton waits to hear about funding prospects, Mayor Don Iveson deliberates parking buses over the summer to make up for revenue loss.

Religion in the Pandemic: First Amendment vs. Public Health and Safety
Conflicts between church and state are being decided in state and federal courts as governors act to protect their constituents from the coronavirus while religious institutions and their supporters seek exceptions from social gathering restrictions.

Popularity of Opportunity Zone Program Grows During the Pandemic
Investors are looking for safe places to park capital gains as volatility roils the stock market. Opportunity zone programs fit the bill.

New Weekly Survey from U.S. Census Bureau Provides Crucial Insight for Recovery Efforts
Weekly releases of key data sets illustrate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on U.S. citizens as a U.S. Census Bureau effort to enable data-driven decision-making in recovery planning.

Electric Bike Sales Explode as Cities Rethink Streetscapes
North America has experienced a 5% jump in rates of cycling since the U.S. started staying home. As electric bikes enjoy impressive sales increases, cities around the world consider making the shift permanent by planning bike-friendly infrastructure.

Miss the Subway? There's an App for That
The NYC Subway Sounds app is a great tool for dealing with nostalgia for the old ways of life.

FEATURE
Cities Are Suddenly a Little Less Car-Centric
(Opinion) After devoting more than a century of planning and engineering effort to the movement and storage of cars above all other considerations, U.S. cities have suddenly, temporarily shifted priorities.

Adapting Public Engagement to Social Distancing
TransitCenter published a new report on the emerging practices of public engagement at a time when large gatherings have been prohibited.

Proposed Mass Timber High-Rise In Seattle Adds Six Stories
A proposal for the development of a mass timber high-rise in First Hill is under community review in Seattle. The project, which adjusted plans to add an additional 6 floors, proposes the tallest mass timber building in Seattle.
Renter Coalition Takes Ownership From Landlord, With City Help
A few months ago, it seemed that a large group of renters in Minneapolis would be forced from their homes as the economic effects of the pandemic hit. Now these residents will own their forms in a city-supported cooperative.

Fatal Collisions Increase Per Vehicle Miles Traveled During Pandemic
Data from the National Safety Council show the first evidence that with fewer cars on the road during the pandemic, fatal collisions have actually been more common for every mile driven.

2020 ParkScore Ranks Minneapolis at the Top
The need for access to parks and open space has never been as obvious, or as pressing.

ADU Ordinance Ready for City Council Scrutiny in Chicago
Chicago residents will have the option of building coach houses or convection units if a new law passes as written through the Chicago City Council.
Pagination
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
Tyler Technologies
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
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.