The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Compromise Reached on $1.4 Billion in California Cap-and-Trade Proceeds
An earlier announcement awarded almost $400 million to transit agencies, but left a larger chunk of these funds still unsettled. On Wednesday, leaders agreed on a $900 million expenditure plan to cut emissions and address social concerns.

The Price of Solar Power Keeps Falling
It's getting a lot cheaper to install solar power, and a lot easier to imagine a solar-powered future.

Some Cities Choose Uber and Lyft Over Buses
Subsidizing rides through the companies has turned out to be cheaper than running bus routes in some places.

Mapping L.A.'s Zoning Changes Finds Little Room for Upzoning
A new study makes a visual case against the narrative that spot zoning and a broken development approval process are running roughshod over the entire city.

West Las Vegas Attempts to Balance Revitalization and Gentrification
As Las Vegas focuses attention on the city's West Las Vegas neighborhood, residents worry about possible displacement.
Local Leadership and Civic Networks: What History Can Tell Us About Urban Success
The next time a city or community is struggling, rather than looking only to macroeconomic forces or national policymakers for reasons, we should equally examine the strength of local leadership and the texture of their networks.

Friday Funny: Sheep View Goes Where Google Street View Can't
Some local residents of the Faroe Islands created Sheep View 360 to document the 18 rocky islands that make up their home—and now Google is lending a hand.

Hot Off the Press: The National Transit Map
The U.S. Department of Transit has released its first ever National Transit Map.

Texas Would Need $24 Billion to End Highway Tolls
Texas politicians are wondering how much it would cost to remove tolls from hundreds of miles of roads around the state. Though the political cost of tolling is high, the actual cost, it turns out, is higher.

Los Angeles Wants to Use Housing Money to Boost MLS Soccer Stadium
Critics say the HUD program is meant to fund more direct anti-poverty measures, like affordable housing—not office, retail, and attractions.

One Man Reports a Quarter of All Tech Shuttle Infractions in San Francisco
A 70-year-old San Francisco resident is on a one-man mission to keep tech shuttles on the straight and narrow.

All Eyes on California's New Emissions Reductions Requirement
As difficult as it was for the legislature to pass SB 32 on Aug. 24, reducing emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 will prove far more challenging. Brad Plumer, senior editor of Vox, explains the bill and what it will take to meet the goal.

Maryland Spending $5 Million to Study Another Span for the Bay Bridge
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has thrown support behind a study to add a third span to the Bay Bridge that spans the Chesapeake Bay.

The New Era of Planning Simulations
The continued improvement of digital technology should benefit evidence-based policy and decision-making. Welcome to a new era of planning simulations.

Atlanta Suburb Limits Wood-Framed Buildings
In an era where cities all over the world are allowing larger and taller wood-framed buildings, the city of Sandy Springs just approved sweeping limitations on the construction practice.
A 'Pop-Up Plaza' in Boston Tests Big Ideas
Tactical urbanism is getting a high-profile test run in Boston.

Designing the Black Rock City of Burning Man's Dreams
An unofficial, international competition for the Black Rock City master plan applies the imagination inherent to its setting.

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A New Financing Tool for California: Enhanced Infrastructure Finance Districts
Enhanced infrastructure finance districts allow regional cooperation on infrastructure investment and economic development.

Lessons from Louisiana
We should have seen the historic flooding in the Florida Parishes region of Louisiana coming—both in preparation and in response—says a pair of recent articles.

A Trip to NYC's Spectacular New Governors Island
Governors Island in NYC recently reopened after a massive remake into a park that can only be reached by ferry. The park is reviewed by former Empire State Development Corp. VP Carol Berens.
Pagination
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
Tyler Technologies
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul 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.