The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

ADA Sidewalk

Curbs Have the Power to Transform Cities

Curb design and management play a huge role in other aspects of city life. Put simply, what happens on the curbside directly impacts what happens on the street, both in terms of social and business connectivity.

February 7 - Longitudes

Downtown Columbus

'Smart Columbus Operation System' Looking for Developers

"Smart City" plans for the city of Columbus are taking shape.

February 7 - Smart Cities Dive

Boulder Colorado

Mapping the Fastest Growing Companies in the United States

Here's a helpful tool for understanding economic growth.

February 7 - Brookings Institution

Queen-Spadina

Study: Mixed-Use Neighborhoods Fail Affordability

A study published recently in the Journal of the American Planning Association finds that mixed-use neighborhoods in Toronto are only delivering benefits to those who can afford to pay a premium.

February 7 - CBC News

Bus Bunching

BLOG POST

Transit Ridership, Part 2: Gentrification and Transit Ridership

One common explanation for recent declines in transit ridership is that gentrification has driven lower-income commuters into car-dependent suburbs. But does data bear this out?

February 6 - Michael Lewyn


South Central Los Angeles

What Community-Based Zoning Enforcement Looks Like in South Central Los Angeles

Passion for urban planning, love of South Central LA communities, and historical background of the neighborhoods combine in this personal account by Jonathan P. Bell of community-based zoning enforcement.

February 6 - UrbDeZine

Bike Cop

Law-Abiding Cyclists

Contrary to the opinion of many, cyclists do a better job versus drivers of obeying traffic laws

February 6 - Outside


Alaskan Way Seawall Construction

When the U.S. Economy Is 'Too Strong' to Spend on Infrastructure

A low unemployment rate means major investments by the federal government could ultimately harm the economy.

February 6 - FiveThirtyEight

Amtrak Suffers Third Fatal Crash in Less than Two Months

The crash in Cayce, South Carolina on Sunday killed the engineer and conductor riding in the Amtrak locomotive, injuring over 100 passengers and crew members. A locked switch had directed Amtrak #91 into a siding where it hit a parked CSX train.

February 6 - The State

Silicon Valley

Most California Cities Now Subject to State-Mandated Development Streamlining

Given that 97 percent of California cities aren't meeting their housing targets, SB 35, last year's landmark "by-right" housing bill, now applies to projects that contain varying amounts of affordable units.

February 6 - East Bay Times

Silicon Valley BRT

There Will Be No Bus Rapid Transit in the Silicon Valley

Local politicians and the public had years to review a proposal that would create dedicated lanes for bus service along El Camino as it cuts through the region. The project found very little support.

February 6 - Mountain View Voice

Census.gov shutdown message

Explained: The Risks Facing the 2020 Census

Why some experts are very concerned that Census 2020 will fail the democracy that depends on it.

February 6 - YouTube

Traffic

An Argument Against VMT Fees as Replacements for Gas Taxes

Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) fees are a bad way to pay for roads, according to an article by Joe Cortright.

February 6 - City Observatory

Hoboken, New Jersey

HUD Mulling Work Requirements and Higher Rents for Housing Assistance

More details of the Trump Administration's agenda at the Department of Housing and Urban Development were revealed late last week.

February 6 - The Intercept

Maryland

Sprawl and Stagnation—Housing Growth and its Discontents

Mapping housing production over the decades since the 1960s reveals a pattern that must be shifted to achieve the housing growth needed to face the economic and environmental challenges of the 21st century.

February 5 - Buildzoom

Pedestrian Bridge

State Legislation Would Clear CEQA Obstructions for Road and Transit Projects

One legislator believes CEQA "is a key barrier to California meeting its ambitious climate change goals.”

February 5 - Los Angeles Times

Road Closures and Lawsuits: Local Roads Cause a Legal Controversy in New Jersey

It's a familiar story: local residents don't want commuters cutting through their neighborhoods, and commuters are pushing back.

February 5 - NorthJersey.com

Gas

A Progressive Gas Tax?

One of the criticisms of gas taxes is that it is regressive, i.e., everyone pays the same per-gallon price. A Mississippi legislator has a solution: Eliminate the income tax on the lowest income bracket in exchange for hiking the gas tax 12-cents.

February 5 - Associated Press

Roundabout

USDOT and Waze Partner to Predict Fatal Crashes

USDOT hopes to put decades of data collection to new use preventing fatal collisions by predicting when they might occur.

February 5 - Eno Transportation Weekly

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Urban Design for Medical Students

A co-curricular program at a Philadelphia medical school integrates public health and city planning.

February 5 - Next City

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.