The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina

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.

May 26 - NOLA.com

Coronavirus Streets

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.

May 25 - National Association of City Transportation Officials

London Traffic

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.

May 25 - Eno Center for Transportation

California Shelter-in-Place

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.

May 25 - The New York Times

Coronavirus and Transportation

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.

May 25 - New York Daily News


Michigan

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.

May 24 - Inside Climate News

Virgin Trains USA

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.

May 24 - Bloomberg


Public Transit

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.

May 24 - CBC

Coronavirus

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.

May 24 - The Oregonian

Boise Idaho

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.

May 22 - Bisnow

U.S. Census

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.

May 22 - U.S. Census Bureau

Alternative Transportation

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.

May 22 - The Verge

New York Public Transit

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.

May 22 - The Verge

New York City Restaurant

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.

May 21 - James Brasuell

Women Public Space

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.

May 21 - TransitCenter

Wood Construction

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.

May 21 - Capitol Hill Seattle Blog

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.

May 21 - Minnesota Reformer

New York City Traffic Cop

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.

May 21 - The Washington Post

child playing in Peavey Plaza fountain in Minneapolis

2020 ParkScore Ranks Minneapolis at the Top

The need for access to parks and open space has never been as obvious, or as pressing.

May 21 - The Trust for Public Land

Accessory Dwelling Unit

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.

May 21 - Chicago Cityscape

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.