The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Car Graveyard

Friday Eye Candy: Volkswagens, as Far as the Eye Can See

China has dockless bikeshare graveyards; the United States has Volkswagen graveyards.

March 30 - Sky News

Dockless Bikeshare

Friday Eye Candy: Dockless Bikes, as Far as the Eye Can See

You might have read about the oceans of impounded dockless bikes, piling up around cities in China, but you've never seen them like this.

March 30 - The Atlantic

Seattle Stadiums

A Baseball Ticket Counts as a Train Ticket in Seattle

It's Opening Day for Major League Baseball, and fans of the Seattle Mariners have an extra reason to celebrate this year.

March 29 - Curbed Seattle

Mobile Social Media

Housing Advocates Sue Facebook for Discriminatory Housing Ads

A long-brewing controversy has finally resulted in legal repercussions for Facebook.

March 29 - Curbed

NYC Subway Construction

Feds to Investigate Transit Project Costs

The Government Accountability Office will investigate why it costs so much more to build transit in the United States than anywhere else in the world. Perhaps this could be the change of systematic change.

March 29 - The New York Times


Disable Access

Tech Partnerships Seek Greater Mobility for the Disabled

Tech-focused civic partnerships may be one way to unlock greater urban mobility for disabled people. Tools in the works include navigation apps with specialized sound cues and "smart canes" that interact with invisible paint.

March 29 - Smart Cities Dive

Homeless

Protests Push O.C. to Kill Its First Real Plan to Help the Homeless

The affluent county finally authorized a concrete plan to address a housing crisis, but forceful opposition from residents put them 'back to Square One.'

March 29 - Los Angeles Times


Senior Pedestrians

AARP Announces 'Quick-Action' Community Challenge Grant

The program funds projects that improve mobility and livability "for all ages."

March 29 - Streetsblog California

D.C. Streetcar

D.C. Mayor Proposes Tax Increase on Ride-Hailing to Fund Transit

Mayor Bowser's 2019 budget also continues investments designed to create affordable housing and distribute homeless shelters throughout the city.

March 29 - The Washington Post

Oklahoma City

2018 Planning Excellence Awards Announced

The APA revealed their annual recognition of the best of the best for planners and planning in 2018.

March 29 - American Planning Association

New York City

Governor Cuomo Wants Broad Powers to Redevelop Around Penn Station

The idea is still extremely speculative, but reports are that Governor Cuomo is pushing for legislation that would enable broad powers for the state to redevelop around Penn Station in New York City.

March 29 - Politico

Jaguar Self-Driving Car

FEATURE

Waymo Wants to Provide a 'Self-Driving Vehicle Tailored to Every Trip' (So Why Not Buses?)

Automated vehicle tech frontrunner Waymo is teaming up with Jaguar to offer a luxury self-driving vehicle for "car lovers." Why not partner with bus manufacturers to offer self-driving buses for city lovers?

March 29 - Antonio Loro

Times Square New York

A Strong Voice of Support for Value Capture to Fund Subway Repair

In an opinion for City & State, Kathryn Wylde, president of the nonprofit Partnership for New York City, makes the case that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority should be allowed to tax properties where value is enhanced by subway proximity.

March 28 - City & State

Seattle Apartments

Pressing Pause on 'Rent Bidding' Apps

Several new apps allow landlords to place available units out to bid. The city of Seattle is concerned the apps might exacerbate prices in an already expensive rental market.

March 28 - Smart Cities Dive

Cupertino

'By-Right' Housing Law a Shot in the Arm for California Housing Developments

The effect of SB 35 on development projects in California might be more significant than YIMBYs have imagined, after a second project forges ahead confident in the support of state law for a large development.

March 28 - The Mercury News

Hyperloop

Elon Musk Company Closes in on Chicago's Airport Express

The announcement of the finalists to build the O'Hare Express has critics even more concerned about the project's viability.

March 28 - Streetsblog Chicago

Los Angeles Homeless

L.A. Metro’s Homeless Outreach Teams Report Back

The transit agency's year-long experiment with homeless services has placed 19 people in permanent housing and spurred hopes of expanding the program.

March 28 - KPCC

Hurricane Ike Damage

Calling for a New Approach to Flood Mitigation

The American Planning Association was one of 14 national organizations to sign a letter of support for S.1507, which would partner states and the federal government in providing low-interest loans for stormwater infrastructure projects.

March 28 - American Planning Association

Single-Family Neighborhood

Upzoning of Seattle's Single-Family Zoning Called a 'Disappointing Half-Measure'

A critical analysis of a proposal that would incrementally increase density in parts of Seattle.

March 28 - Sightline Institute

Houston

Houston Controller Finds Fault with Key Economic Development Program

A new report finds that Houston might not be holding private partners accountable for promised infrastructure improvements.

March 28 - Houston Chronicle

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