The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Arizona Sprawl

Phoenix Called Out as the 'Least Sustainable' City in the World

Phoenix is growing, it's now America's fifth largest city, but its water supply is shrinking.

March 22 - The Guardian

Grocery Store

Competition, Debt Faulted in Bankruptcies of Two Major Food Retailers

Two major grocery store companies announced bankruptcy this week, sparking fears that the "retail apocalypse" has expanded to food retailers.

March 22 - The Washington Post

South Lake Union

Opinion: Ban Cars From South Lake Union in Seattle

A Seattle Times columnist says it's time to ban cars from the congested and dangerous South Lake Union street.

March 22 - The Seattle Times

California

Silicon Valley Isn't Really Over

Though a handful of recent articles predicted "peak Silicon Valley," new numbers show the region is still producing lots of good jobs and attracting plenty of venture capital.

March 22 - Bloomberg View

Affordable Grocery Stores

The Salvation Army Opening Affordable Grocery Stores

Salvation Army grocery stores opening across the United States will provide lower income families with better access to healthy foods.

March 22 - Modern Cities


Spin and LimeBike

Finding a Place for Dockless Bikes: Impound

Several dockless bike companies have continued to operate on the streets of Coronado, California, despite the city's decision not to permit the business.

March 22 - San Diego Union Tribune

Vancouver Skyline

Vancouver's Homeowner Vacancy Rate Nearly 5 Percent

Thousands of homes in the city were found to be underused and subject to a vacancy tax.

March 22 - The Guardian


Bikeshare

Lessons from a Six-Hour Hearing on Planning and Zoning

A recent debate in Washington, D.C. echoed common concerns about the planning process in cities around the country.

March 22 - Greater Greater Washington

The Windy City

More Homes Underwater in Chicago Than Other U.S. Cities

One in ten Chicago homes is currently underwater, more than double the national average.

March 22 - Crain's Chicago Business

Trump Adminsitration

A Realistic Approach Needed With Programs like HUD's New EnVision Centers

Secretary Ben Carson's vision for the Department of Housing and Urban Development focuses on a new workforce development program called EnVision Centers.

March 22 - Urban Institute

Dockless Scooters

Dockless Electric Scooter Share on the Rise

Limebike and Bird are mobility companies currently offering ride share for electric scooters in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, respectively.

March 21 - City Lab

U.S. Capital

Breaking: Congressional Compromise Reached to Fund Amtrak Gateway Program

Congressional leaders agreed to include $540 million, not the original $900+million that could be used for the Hudson River tunnel project, in the $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill. President Trump is opposed to any Gateway funding.

March 21 - Politico New Jersey

Uber CEO

Travis Kalanick Getting Into the Redevelopment Business

The former CEO of Uber, a highly controversial figure in urbanism circles, is still trying to influence the future of the built environment in a new post as CEO of a real estate investment startup.

March 21 - Recode

Tempe Police Chief: Uber AV vs. Pedestrian Crash May Have Been Unavoidable

After viewing the videos taken by two cameras equipped in the Uber autonomous vehicle that fatally struck 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg on Sunday, the chief concluded the crash was difficult to avoid. Also, lessons on the crash from David Leonhardt.

March 21 - San Francisco Chronicle

Bike Lane in Philadelphia

Op-Ed: Philadelphia City Council Shouldn't Be Able to Block Bike Lanes

The Philadelphia Inquirer Editorial Board pushes against a proposed bill that increases City Council oversight of new bike lanes. Traffic calming, the Inquirer argues, requires a citywide approach.

March 21 - The Philadelphia Inquirer - Philly.com

Portland Multi-Modalism

Portland Looking for Ways to Speed Up Buses, Protect Pedestrians

Freeing buses from congestion and protecting pedestrians from speeding cars are two of the goals expressed by the Central City in Motion planning process.

March 21 - The Oregonian

Hubway Bikeshare

Boston's Bikeshare System Gets a New Partner, Rebranding

Blue Cross will pay $18 million for a six-year sponsorship of the Boston-area bikeshare system formerly known as Hubway.

March 21 - Boston Business Journal

Power Plant

How Green Is Your Electric Vehicle?

Check the fuel source before making any assumptions.

March 21 - World Economic Forum

Washington, D.C. Rowhouses

How a Change in the Definition of 'Cellars' Could Downzone Much of Washington, D.C.

The D.C. Zoning Commission will revisit a proposed text amendment to the District Zoning Code in April.

March 21 - Greater Greater Washington

San Francisco Street

Mapping the Law of the Land: Curbside Access

More uses and modes than ever are fighting for curb space in growing cities. Here's an app to make sense of what you can do, and when, along this valued real estate.

March 21 - The Verge

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

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Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.