The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Surprise: Cleveland's Public Square Won't Reopen to Buses After All
The plans for the renovation of Cleveland's Public Square took years to finalize and evolved several times along the way to delivery. Now one final decision will impact bus transit in and around the city.

Airbnb Ready to Make Concessions to the City of San Francisco
The city of San Francisco and Airbnb may move their dispute from the courtroom to the negotiating table, as the company indicates willingness to find a "win-win" with the city.

A Potential Downside to $120 Billion in Transportation Investments in Los Angeles
The editorial board of the Los Angeles Times warns that along with new transit lines comes new housing for residents who want to enjoy the benefits of reduced auto-dependence. Plans need to ensure minimal housing displacement around the new stations.

New Look MBTA Trains Debut in Boston
Boston residents got their first look earlier this week at the new trains that will grace the T tracks in 2019.

Four Ideas for Bolstering Community Development Financial Institutions
As gentrification pressures push into ever expanding parts of country, the need for inclusive community development continues to grow along with it. The Urban Institute shares some ideas for ensuring the financial clout of CDFIs.

Housing Advocates Push Affordability Agenda in Salt Lake City
With an estimated housing gap of 7,500 units and an apartment vacancy rate of 2 percent, Salt Lake City needs to do more to address an affordable housing shortage, advocates say.

How Cities Will Lead the Energy Future
Last month, politicians, energy executives, and energy experts met in Istanbul for the 23rd World Energy Congress. The event gives global leaders a chance to coordinate energy policy, discuss new ideas, and seek solutions to climate change

All-Door Boarding a Missed Opportunity in NYC
American transit systems are increasingly moving to structures that allow pre-paying and all-door boarding. David Meyer argues that these systems have proven their worth and fears of fare evasion aren't enough to justify inferior services.
WMATA Stepping Up Efforts to End Sexual Assaults on Transit Lines
The Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) recently launched a new campaign to combat sexual harassment and assault—especially toward some of the most marginalized members of the community.

Trump Election Coverage Round Up (Planning Edition)
A compendium of the most discussed examples of news and commentary regarding the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States—but only what's directly relevant to the fields of planning and urban design.

Crunching the Safety Data Reveals the Need to Improve Traffic Lights
After completing an eight-year study of traffic collisions, the Seattle Department of Transportation realized that one way to immediately improve traffic safety would be to improve signalization an key intersections.

State Departments of Transportation Finally Turning Their Attention to Safety?
Angie Schmitt sees encouraging signs of a change of perspective in some state DOTs, which seem to be following the national lead of Vision Zero Campaign.
Did This Quiet Colorado Town Invent Parklets?
Before parklets dominated San Francisco’s Mission Street, a small bedroom community nestled between Boulder and Denver used parklets to completely transform its downtown.

BLOG POST
Truly Responsive and Inclusive Planning
Current planning practices can alienate some voters, which contributed to Donald Trump’s success in the recent US election. How have planners contributed to this problem, and how can we achieve more responsive and inclusive planning?

Doomsday Prepping: Aspen Protecting Water Against Future Shortages, Increased Demand
Aspen, Colorado's City Council has voted to preserve the city's water rights with an option to dam local waterways if climate change or population growth creates a shortage of water in the future.

Historic Block in Downtown St. Petersburg May Not Survive
Failing to receive protection from the St. Petersburg, Florida city council, a historic downtown block faces an uncertain future.

The Critical Importance of Bicycle Infrastructure to Public Health
The lead editorial in the December issue of American Journal of Public Health provides the introduction for two research papers on the relationship between bicycling safety and infrastructure expansion in Boston and Vision Zero in U.S. and Sweden.
Report Finds Rising Poverty in Greater Houston
The Kinder Institute reveals a "stunning trend" of poverty spreading around Houston.

The de Blasio Administration Stays Firm on Waterfront Rezonings
Despite its ambitious housing targets, the de Blasio Administration isn't willing to sacrifice more of its prime industrial spaces, and the jobs they bring, in the name of residential development.

FEATURE
Innovations in Post-Master's Graduate Planning Education
Professional doctorates or certificates of advanced graduate study (CAGS) can offer an alternative to a PH.D. for planners looking to expand their education beyond the master's degree.
Pagination
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
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.