The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Additional Study Necessary for Seattle to Pass Accessory Dwelling Units Legislation
A recent ruling by the City Hearing Examiner is a setback—but not necessarily a permanent one—for the city's efforts to loosen regulations on accessory dwelling units.
Casting Doubt on Yield-to-Transit Laws
Austin planners are considering a law designed to ensure bus service performance by requiring drivers to allow buses to merge after making a stop, but transit advocates point to a body of research that casts doubt on the efficacy of such laws.
An Annual, Irreverent List of Architecture Awards
Critics Alexandra Lange and Mark Lamster hand out their annual awards for architecture and design, with welcome focus and studied opinions on what make great cities great.
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A Plea for Cities
A discussion of private and public space, revealing an argument for justice.
King County, Washington Won't Budge on Rural Developments
The city of Snoqualimie's requests to expand in to "rural" King County has been denied.
The Return of Social Justice to the Causes of Environmentalism
The Trump Administration's politics could provide a nudge to bring environmentalism back to its roots in social justice.
Bay Area Voters May Be Asked to Hike Bridge Tolls 60 Percent
Before the ballot measure would go to voters, state legislation needs to be written, passed, and signed by Gov. Brown. The first step was taken Dec. 14, when the region's planning agency discussed the option. Tolls are $5, last raised $1 in 2010.
Building Cities to Meet the Needs of Women
Men are often overrepresented in consultations about how city facilities are built. To account for this, planners need to seek out women's comments and look for ways to better serve them, argues Alexander Starritt.
de Blasio Balancing Act Puts Manufacturing Jobs, Hotel Industry Interest in the Balance
The New York Times reports details about the de Blasio Administration's negotiations concerning land use regulations that will impact industrial and hotel business. With a re-election campaign looming in 2017, the story reveals a lot about the politi
Philadelphia Goes High-Tech to Monitor Vacant Properties
The city of Philadelphia has deployed high-tech sensors and a new statistical model in its ongoing fight against the blight and health problems that follow vacant and abandoned properties.
Expect Passenger Vehicles to Talk to Each Other in the Near Future
The U.S. Department of Transportation wants light-duty vehicles to communicate with each other via advanced technology, known as connected vehicle technology, to prevent crashes. The vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) rule would be phased in over five years.
Coming to Chicago's Grant Park: A 'Health Park'
A proposal to build a new "health park" in Downtown's Grant Park is still in the early phases,
Wildlight: New Urbanism's Answer To Lowcountry Living?
Is it possible to create a community combining the best elements of Lowcountry southern living, cuisine, and architecture with industry and New Urbanism?
The Surprising Climate Change Believer Among Trump's Cabinet Picks
Compared to nominees for cabinet positions that deal with energy and the environment, Rex Tillerson, Trump's choice for Secretary of State, appears to be the only 'climate believer' even though he heads America's largest oil and gas corporation.
Madrid to Build Mega Casino, Betting on New Jobs and Tourist Dollars
Spain's capital may build a huge casino, but many fear that the facility will flounder in the way similar mega-projects have in the past.
Recent Pedestrian Deaths Move Portland Residents to Protest
Portland's Division Street has been the site of a number of high-profile pedestrian deaths.
'Bikelash' Over Downtown Pittsburgh Bike Lanes
Business owners in Downtown Pittsburgh are speaking out in opposition to a proposed, and funded, bike lane project on Fort Pitt Boulevard, raising concerns about parking and access to businesses.
Ohio Man's Zombie Nativity Scene Deemed an Accessory Structure
A man's front yard nativity scene featuring zombies was declared an accessory structure, in violation of the zoning code, because it had a roof
Transit Up, Parking Down in Seattle
Facing an affordability crisis, Seattle is betting on dense, walkable development. The transition away from guaranteed parking promises to be no easier here than elsewhere.
The Roads Could Soon Charge Electric Trucks in Colorado
The Colorado Transportation Department and Aecom Inc. are exploring options for an electric trucking charging system that uses a coil buried in the road to charge electric trucks as they drive.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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.
