The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Wildfires Becoming More Common in Southern States
This year has seen a significant uptick in wildfires across much of the South, spurred by drought and heat waves. The region's pattern of development increases the potential danger.

A Bus Lane for a Boston Suburb
Everett, Massachusetts, home to many transit users, is getting a bus lane in the hopes of speeding transit during the morning rush hour.

D.C. Weighs 'Banning the Box' on Housing Applications
Washington, D.C. might prohibit landlords from asking tenants for criminal histories, at least at first pass.

Cultural Policy in the Mile High City
Ginger White Brunetti, deputy director of Denver Arts & Venues, discusses cultural policy in the Colorado capital.

Portland Has a Bad Snow Day
Following in the footsteps of the "snowmageddon" events experienced by Atlanta in January 2014, Portland, Oregon had a surprising amount of difficulty with a small amount of snow this week.

Five Lessons for Resilience
Resilience is commonly understood as the capacity to endure shocks and stresses. But for Lisa Dickson, Arup’s resilience leader for the Americas, this definition is too limiting. Jeff Byles talks with her about five key lessons on resilience.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority's Board Took a 'Momentous' Step on Tuesday
The California High-Speed Rail Authority voted on December 13 to approve two plans that would spend $3.2 billion in high-speed rail bond funds for continuing construction in the Central Valley and help pay for Caltrain commuter rail electrification.

Uber Rolls Self-Driving Cars Onto San Francisco Streets; Finds Legal Trouble
Uber chose to ask for forgiveness instead of asking for permission, rolling out self-driving cars to the public in San Francisco this week.

Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke Reportedly Tapped for Interior Secretary
Days earlier the presumed nominee was Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington, a member of the GOP congressional leadership, but Zinke's interview with Don Trump Jr., the president's son, appears to have caused the change.

Oakland Startup Trades Homes 'Like Stock'
Roofstock is an online marketplace where investors can buy, sell, and trade homes that tenants are living in.

Seattle Streetcar Extension Looks Unlikely to Proceed
A proposal to extend the First Hill Streetcar along Broadway in Capitol Hill has lost the support of some of its key stakeholders and now looks very much in doubt.
Designing Buildings to Positively Impact Health and Well-Being
Architects at Gresham, Smith & Partners discuss designing for health and wellness, aligning with the US Green Building Council's WELL Building Standard.

Houston's Rapid Growth Will Make Future Floods Worse
Houston's development has meant the loss of many wetlands, a key factor in protecting the against floods. This, coupled with climate change, will mean more floods, causing more danger and damage to the growing city.

BLOG POST
Is There an Environmentalist Case for Sprawl?
Yes, sprawl is still bad for the environment.

Untouched Snow Reveals Street Usage
Those who promote safe streets often complain of streets that are too wide, wasting space and promoting reckless speeds. In chilly Calgary, undisturbed snow shows just how much street area is completely unused.

New Film Documents the Chicago Neighborhood Demolished to Make Way for Railroads
David Schalliol, director of the documentary, 'The Area,' talks about the impact of a railroad expansion that demolished the homes of 400 families on the South Side of Chicago.

Houston Buses Gain Ridership While Bus Systems Around the Country Struggle
When Houston reworked their bus system they emphasized frequency and simplicity. The results have been a bump in ridership, though some complain the system sacrificed coverage and equity to make those gains.

An Affordable Uber, But For How Long?
A glimpse at Uber's financials show's that the car-hailing app's days of affordability may be shorter than some are expecting

Trump Picks Energy Secretary Who Wanted to Eliminate Department
In an infamous 2011 Republican presidential primary debate, then-Texas Gov. Rick Perry stated he would abolish three federal agencies: Commerce, Education, and "Oops!" — he couldn't recall. That department, energy, he has now been selected to lead.

Co-Working Spaces Find a Place in Houston's Suburban Reaches
A Houston Chronicle journalist travels a surmising distance from downtown to survey the city's co-working spaces.
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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
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