The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

A New Years' Resolution for Atlanta: Prioritize Preservation
A call to action for Atlanta: some of the city's treasured landmarks could disappear in 2017 if the city doesn't embrace a culture of preservation.

Blue Lines on Streets to Honor Police Run Afoul of Federal Regulators
The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) has prohibited local municipalities from painting a blue line down the middle of streets near police stations. State and local governments are pushing back, saying the prohibition "defies common sense."

Wyoming Law Would Penalize Utilities for Using Renewable Energy
Republican legislators in the state of Wyoming are choosing sides in the energy market—with dire consequences for consumers and the environment.

Bubble Burst Strategy No. 1: Do Something. Now.
Ben Brown on placemaking implications of today's politics

'Define Each and Every Acronym'
A participant in some of Seattle's most consequential planning processes puts out a call for a more inclusive use of language.

Where Land Is More Valuable than Homes
It's surprisingly common to find cities where land is worth more than buildings. Start with California, for instance.

Sitting on the Walls Prohibited in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square
The list of prohibitions for the use of public spaces grows—this time to the seemingly innocuous and park-perfect activity of sitting.

First on Chicago's Wish List from the Trump Administration: $1 Billion for Union Station
The Emanuel Administration has yet to secure needed funding for a big project to update Chicago's Union Station. Now it's up to the Trump Administration to supply a needed loan.

The Details of Sacramento's Proposed Downtown Streetcar Line
The cities of West Sacramento and Sacramento have high hopes for a streetcar line planned for some of the most beautiful and urban neighborhoods in the region. The Trump Administration could still change the course of the project, however.

A New Community Plan for a Neighborhood on the Border
The city of San Diego recently approved a 30-year community plan for the San Ysidro neighborhood.
The 'Missing Middle' Affordable Housing Solution
Karen Parolek discusses the 'Missing Middle' that is too often overlooked in discussions about affordable housing.

New Player in Dieselgate
Similar violation but new player—Fiat Chrysler, accused by U.S. EPA of willfully violating emissions standards for certain models of diesel Jeeps and Ram pickups. The charge comes a day after DOJ settled civil and criminal suits with Volkswagen.

Portland Becomes a Testing Ground for App Based Transportation
German multinational Daimler is investing heavily in how people will get around in the future and using Portland, Oregon as a test bed for its plans

HUD Announces $132 Million in New Choice Neighborhood Grants
The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced another round of Choice Neighborhood grants in December, awarding five communities a total of $132 million in grant funding.

Lead Testing Mandated in Illinois Schools
After a scandal exposed widespread lead contamination in Chicago schools, new legislation requires regular lead testing.

The Green Line: a Boon to Washington, D.C.
How has the Green Line benefitted the economy of Washington, D.C.? A new report counts the ways.

Friday Funny: A Survey to Rate the Greatness of Driveways
Yeah, this is a weird one.

Downtown Adjacent Neighborhoods Columbus in Line for New Parking Requirements
Parking lots and one-story buildings are being rapidly redeveloped in the Short North, located just north of Downtown Columbus. New parking requirements are aimed at streamlining the development process and ensuring adequate parking.

Proposed Law Would Ban Unaccompanied Adults from City Playgrounds in L.A.
There is plenty of debate surrounding a proposed law that would prohibit adults from entering city-owned playgrounds unless in the company of children.

Review of November 2016 Transportation Ballot Measures
About 50 transportation measures appeared on local ballots on November 8, 2016. To date, Planetizen reviewed outcomes in nine regions in six states. Here we compare the measures in terms of revenue, taxes, projects, and reasons for failure.
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.