The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Amplifying the Call to Ban Cars
Could a political movement to ban cars be gaining momentum in North America?
Coming Off Record Heights, Multi-Family Construction Expected to Slow
An era of multi-family construction is expected to slow as the housing market recalibrate, according to analysis in Bloomberg.
Facebook Still Allowing Discriminatory Housing Ads
Last year, ProPublica revealed that Facebook's advertising features were allowing discriminatory housing advertisements in conflict with Fair Housing Act. After promising to improve, Facebook still fails the standards of federal law.

Chicago's Innovative Ride-Hailing Tax Approved
The Chicago City Council has approved a new budget that includes a new transit funding mechanism that could level the playing field for transit.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit Commits to New Security Measures
The DART Board of Directors has ordered the expansion of police and security patrols at transit stations in Dallas, while also considering investments in new surveillance technology on light rail lines.

Columbus Just Changed its 'Smart City' Plan
The original plan earned the city a highly competitive $40 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Federal Highway Administration Bureaucrat Says Rainbow Crosswalks Are a Liability
An administrator for the Kentucky division of the Federal Highway Administration informed the city of Lexington that its rainbow crosswalk does not meet federal safety standards.
Environmental Impact Bonds Change the Funding Game for Green Infrastructure
The Rockefeller Foundations EIB Challenge is putting a spotlight on an innovative new funding mechanism.

Chicagoland's Regional Transportation Authority Helping Deliver Local TOD Results
The Regional Transportation Authority has been supporting transit oriented development planning processes in suburbs like Bartlett.

Private Equity, Debt, and the Real Causes of the 'Retail Apocalypse'
David Duyen identifies an under-reported culprit in the so-called "retail apocalypse," and challenges policy makers to respond.

Nebraska Commission Authorizes Keystone XL Pipeline, But With a Major Twist
TransCanada got its second wish. Last March, President Trump reversed President Obama's rejection of the 1,136-mile pipeline to carry Alberta oil sands crude. On Monday, the Nebraska Public Service Commission OK'd a route, but not the one it wanted.

Toward a System of Adaptive Reuse Feasibility
A relative lack of conversions from office to residential—the adaptive reuse model driving the housing market in many urban areas—makes the Washington, D.C. region a perfect place to study the factors that make or break an adaptive reuse proposal.

More Cities Replacing Parking With Drop-Off Zones for Ride-Hailing Companies
More than one city has ditched parking in response to the congestion and conflicts created by ride-hailing pick-ups and drop-offs .

The Lessons Jane Jacobs and Christopher Alexander Still Have to Teach
Robert Steuteville reviews Cities Alive, by Michael Mehaffy, describing the newly released book as "an important analysis for urbanism."

Foxconn Wanted an Autonomous Vehicle Lane to Locate in Wisconsin
News of the details of the negotiation between Taiwan-based Foxconn and the state of Wisconsin have revealed ideas about transportation planning that are either ambitious or delusional, depending on your opinion.

St. Louis Trolley Plans Hit a Snag
The St. Louis trolley revival is running out of cash.

Host Nation Reveals Embarrassment as Climate Talks End
It's not so easy weaning itself from dirty coal power, one reason why Germany likely won't meet its 2020 greenhouse gas reduction targets. But they will have plenty of company, though all targets are voluntary.

Recognizing the Achievements of Black Urbanists
Blogger and planners Pete Saunders is acknowledging black urbanists from all over the spectrum of civic involvement.

D.C. Makes the Case for Decriminalizing Fare Evasion
The District may soon remove criminal penalties from fare evasion with a proposal that would lower fines and strike the possibility of jail time.

Tiny Home Villages: Who Will Host Them?
Imagine if hosting a transitional tiny home village for the homeless became the norm for all suitable vacant land?
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