The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

$1.7 Billion Project to Replace Critical Rail Crossing in New Jersey Underway
New Jersey's 107-year-old Portal Bridge has been a symbol of the region's crumbling rail infrastructure. A $1.7 billion project to replace the bridge, launched this week, is designed to improve the situation.

Density Debate Boils Over in Southern California's Third Largest City
The city of Long Beach's draft Land Use Element has provoked political forces that would like to cap the growth of the city.

A Playbook for Supply-Side Housing Affordability Solutions
The word YIMBY isn't used in the McKinsey Global Institute's new supply-side toolkit for housing affordability, but YIMBYs will like this it anyway.

Riverview Corridor Streetcar Passes Major Hurdle, Still a Long Way Off in the Twin Cities
An oversight committee has approved the Locally Preferred Alternative for the Review Corridor Streetcar project that will connect Downtown St. Paul to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

More Bad News From the U.S. Census: Economic Census Delayed Six Months
A budget shortfall for Census 2020 has already claimed one victim: the timely delivery of the five-year Economic Census.

'Housing Insights' Mapping Tool Designed to Preserve Subsidized Housing in D.C.
The Housing Insights team of volunteer civic hackers hopes you'll use their software in other cities, too.
8 Tips for Suburban Placemaking
Suburban areas looking to improve public places can try following this advice.

Chicago CTA Expands Hard Back Seat Pilot, Seeking to Avoid Wet Surprises
Chicago trains and buses have long had dark cloth coverings, which can hide liquids and make for unpleasant experiences for riders.

The Cost of a Well-Maintained Urban Tree Canopy Is Actually Pretty Cheap
In terms of its public health benefits, a flourishing tree canopy is practically priceless.

Ranking the Safest Cities in the World—Tokyo Leads the List
The Economist's Intelligence Unit has released its 2017 Safe Cities Index.

A Dozen New Laws to Spur Sales of Zero Emission Vehicles in California
Gov. Jerry Brown signed 12 bills on Oct. 10 to facilitate the transition from oil-powered light and heavy duty vehicles to electric power in California, and thus meet his goal of putting 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles on the road by 2025.
Why a Planner Might Want a Doctorate Degree in Urban Planning That's not a Ph.D.
There are two types of doctorate degrees in urban planning. Clement Lau, a Los Angeles County planner with one of them, explains the difference and why, with no plans to be a professor, he pursued one of these degrees.

Obama's Presidential Center Raises Displacement Concerns
As the former president seeks to distinguish the Obama Presidential Center from for-profit development, many locals still want to see a binding community benefits agreement.

Can Urbanist Islands Make a Difference Where Sprawl Reigns?
The product of a single developer, San Jose's Santana Row is a pocket of urbanism in a sea of sprawl. But can it influence development patterns beyond its bounds, and should it?

Study: Integrated Neighborhoods More Common Across the U.S.
A Harvard study suggests that since 2000, the number of Americans living in racially integrated neighborhoods has risen. But this may be a temporary effect of gentrification, and integration remains an exception to the rule.
Former Planning Director, Landscape Architect Among MacArthur Genius Grants Winners
Professionals and academics of the built environment were recognized for their genius this week by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

BLOG POST
Comparing the Environmental Impact of Building vs. Buying a Home
Which is better for the environment: buying an existing home, inefficiencies and all, or paying to build a new home with all the bells and whistles of green building technology?

An Architecture Critic Lists 7 Reasons Bike Lanes Benefit All Road Users
People—on bikes, in cars, and on foot—should be able to agree that bike lanes are better for everyone.
Friday Eye Candy: A World Full of Beautiful Architecture
Arcaid has collected a shortlist for its 2017 architectural photograph of the year.
Metro Los Angeles Has a Trippy New Take on the Transit PSA
Metro Los Angeles new transit etiquette public service announcement is either a dream or a nightmare, depending on your perspective, but the transit agency clearly spared no expense in trying to impart a few lessons on courteous riding.
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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.