The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Whole Foods

Whole Foods to Undergo Unprecedented Downsizing

A symbol of urbanist affluence is getting its first reality check. 2017 has not been kind to brock and mortar retailers.

February 13 - Bloomberg

Not in my back yard

Unveiling Renters' Hidden NIMBYism

This research shows that renters in high-cost cities can be just as prone to NIMBYism as homeowners, even as they theoretically support more housing. This is housing supply's collective action problem.

February 13 - Joint Center for Housing Studies

President of the United States

The Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning Responds to Trump's Travel Ban

The Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) released a statement on the Trump Administration executive order that enacted a 90-day suspension of visas and other immigration benefits to all nationals of seven Middle Eastern countries.

February 12 - ACSP

Boston Neighborhoods Find Controversy Following Residential Zoning Changes

An in-depth look into the political controversies stirred up in the Boston neighborhood of Jamaica Plain as a result of a proposed, density-adding zoning plan.

February 12 - The Boston Globe

Servers

Big Data Brings Bespoke Cities

This start-up uses an AI to comb through Google Street View images, matching users with cities that fit their "lifestyle preferences."

February 12 - Quartz


Sad Place Name

Sunday Fun: Behind Washington State's Monopoly on Sad Place Names

Yikes, Washington. What's the deal with all those sad place names?

February 12 - KUOW

Highway Interchange

Do Shorter Travel Times Really Justify Highway Expansions?

It all depends on one thing: How much are travelers willing to pay for a shorter trip?

February 12 - City Observatory


New York Housing

NYC Housing Authority Announces Ambitious Climate Plan

New York plans to drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions from public housing.

February 11 - Next City

Historic Computer

It's Time to Prepare for Census 2020

An article for Planning magazine readies the planning profession for the largest peacetime activity of the federal government. All indications are that the 2020 Census will include unprecedented changes.

February 11 - Planning

Red Light Camera

San Francisco and San Jose Propose Joint Pilot Program for Speed Cameras

Legislation proposed by San Francisco Assemblyman David Chiu would authorize a red camera pilot program to last five years and apply only to the two cities. California lacks laws permitting automated speed enforcement.

February 11 - ABC KGO TV 7 - San Francisco

How Fair Use Brought Pac-Man to the Streets of Seattle

Maybe we are going to jinx the city of Seattle by bringing it up, but not everything has to be expensive and litigious.

February 11 - Capitol Hill Seattle Blog

Solidarity

Unlikely Public Engagement Tactics Get Results for Small Towns

Four small cities across the country are seeing positive results with non-traditional public engagement strategies like bouncy castles, beer coasters, and ball games.

February 11 - Orton Family Foundation

Downtown Street

Op-Ed: Houston Should Try to Kill Fewer Pedestrians

City officials in Houston have shown little regard for the safety of its people when they're walking outside, argues an op-ed in the Houston Chronicle.

February 10 - The Houston Chronicle

Uber Protest

Uber Files Lawsuit Against Seattle Over Unionization

Uber kicks off its 'Year of the Driver' by suing the city of Seattle for allowing its drivers to unionize.

February 10 - The Verge

Ciutat Vella

Airbnb Still at Odds with Barcelona City, Calling New Rule for Hosts a 'Joke'

After Barcelona City Council conducted inspections and imposed sanctions on illegal tourist rentals in the city, Airbnb responded by announcing restrictions on multiple listings in the downtown area. The city council responded bluntly.

February 10 - Cities of the Future

Marching Band

The (Place) Doctor Will See You Now

How a small town in Oregon used a data-driven, analytical approach towards putting policies in place to increase their economic and environmental resiliency.

February 10 - Modern Cities

Ottawa

Ottawa's Rapid Transit Corridor Design Approved

Twenty-four stations and a new dedicated bus lane have been approved in Canada's capital city.

February 10 - CBC

New Orleans Musicians

How Will Pricey Cities House Their Artists?

With rents on the rise even in "inexpensive" cities like New Orleans, artists and musicians are getting priced out. Affordable housing designated for artists is one way to help them stay.

February 10 - PBS NewsHour

Los Angeles and Bowl

L.A. Voters Approved Parks Funding—Now What?

An overview of the projects in the L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation pipeline, by L.A. County park planner Clement Lau.

February 10 - UrbDeZine

Capitol

Everyone in the Federal Government Seems to Want a New Infrastructure Bill

Deborah Fisher has proposed a highway bill, Chuck Schumer wrote an infrastructure bill, and Donald Trump campaigned on the issue. The shape the final bill will take is still in flux.

February 10 - The Hill

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.