The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Air Quality and Environmental Justice Lead to Push for Zero-Emission Locomotives

The California Air Resources Board has petitioned the U.S. EPA to adopt more stringent emissions standards for locomotives in order to improve air quality at rail yards, many of which are located adjacent to disadvantaged communities.

April 23 - RailwayAge

Tennessee Governor Poised to Raise Gas Tax by Six Cents per Gallon

Both chambers of Tennessee's General Assembly approved Gov. Bill Haslam's transportation plan on April 19, which hikes diesel taxes by 10 cents per gallon but lowers other taxes. Indiana appears poised to follow with a 10-cent gas tax increase.

April 23 - The Tennessean

Google bikes

Black Market Bikeshare

NACTO complains that unsanctioned bikeshares are dangerous and inequitable, others counter these companies provide a valuable service that the market has shown a demand for.

April 22 - Next City

Some Hoping to Build Housing See Churches as an Obstacle

Miami-Dade Commissioner Barbara Jordan has expressed concerns that seldom-used churches aren’t paying taxes, take up valuable land, and would be better used to build housing for the Black community.

April 22 - Miami Herald

Virginia

Transit Oriented Parking Reform in Virginia

Arlington County, Virginia has begun a process to reduce parking requirements for large residential developments near transit stations.

April 22 - Greater Greater Washington


Wildfire

Coming to Grips With the Future of Wildfires

As wildfires become bigger, more frequent, and more expensive to fight, new methods for preventing the worst impacts of fire will be necessary, according to a new study.

April 22 - Pacific Standard

Hyperloop

Hyperloop Delivery Schedule Delayed Again

So far, the Hyperloop's biggest supporters have made a lot of big promises, but continue to fall short on deliverables.

April 22 - The Wall Street Journal


Chicago

New Public Space Outside Wrigley Field Just Another Win for Chicago

Chicago Cubs fans looking to bask in the glory of the team's first World Series victory since 1908 will find a new public plaza and lawn next to the stadium. The plaza will be open to the public on non-baseball days too.

April 21 - Chi.Streetsblog

Metro Bikeshare

After a Wet Winter, Bikeshare Ridership Lags in Los Angeles

Bikeshare is still fairly new in Los Angeles, located mostly around downtown before expanding to the rest of the city. So far, however, residents have been slow to adopt the system.

April 21 - KPCC

San Francisco Skyline

San Francisco Ahead of Schedule on Ambitious Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals

The city of San Francisco hit its greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets two years ahead of schedule. The city has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 28 percent since 1990—the economy grew by 78 percent in that same time period.

April 21 - BayCity News

Commerce Street

Sidewalks Required in More of Nashville, Thanks to New Law

Supporters of Nashville's new sidewalk requirements for residential construction say sidewalks are a critical component of transportation infrastructure.

April 21 - The Tennessean

Vision Zero

Oregon Metro Brings Perspective to Vision Zero

A new public service announcement from Oregon Metro brings the point of Vision Zero goals for traffic safety close to home.

April 21 - Bike Portland

Harney County

Environmentalists Defeat Wind Energy Project in Southeast Oregon

Plans for a wind energy facility have been vacated after environmentalists successfully challenged the environmental review for the project.

April 21 - AP via The Oregonian

Thailand

The World's Best City for Street Food Bans Street Food

The city of Bangkok, Thailand, is famous for its cheap and flavorful street food. City leaders, however, have decided that the city would be less appealing without street vendors.

April 21 - The Nation (Thailand)

Hiking Trail

Grand Canyon Development Plans Will Wait Another Year

The Navajo Nation is not moving forward with a controversial plan to build a tram that would connect tourists from the rim of the bottom of the Grand Canyon, along with commercial and retail space. The proposal isn't totally dead yet, however.

April 21 - The Arizona Republic

Los Angeles

BLOG POST

Are Jews Coming Back to the Cities?

The growth of urban Jewish populations is more evidence that educated Americans are less hostile to city life today than they were in the late 20th century.

April 21 - Michael Lewyn

Atlanta BeltLine

Friday Funny: Atlantans Rely on Humor to Deal With Series of Highway Mishaps

No freeway no cry.

April 21 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Toronto

Ontario 'Fair Housing Plan' Proposed to Curb Skyrocketing Housing Costs

Housing prices have increased 33 percent compared to the previous year in Toronto, and now the provincial government is snapping into action.

April 20 - The Toronto Star

Polling Place

Density is Destiny: Voting Records Mirror Proximity to Neighbors

Urban densities tend to encourage more liberal, tolerant values. Living among diverse neighbors can reduce fear and resentment, as everyday interactions break down stereotypes and misconceptions of ‘the other.’

April 20 - Places Journal

Freeway Construction

PIRG Releases Third Highway Boondoggles Report

A new report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group and the Frontier Group indicates that highway boondoggles have been getting bigger, more costly, with the benefits more limited. Nine projects are analyzed in "Highway Boondoggles 3."

April 20 - Illinois PIRG

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.