The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Wildfire

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.

December 16 - FiveThirtyEight

Broadway Bus Lane in Everett

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.

December 16 - The Boston Globe

Rain Umbrellas

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.

December 16 - Next City

Denver

Cultural Policy in the Mile High City

Ginger White Brunetti, deputy director of Denver Arts & Venues, discusses cultural policy in the Colorado capital.

December 15 - Soft City

Portland Snow Day

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.

December 15 - AP via OPB


Northridge Earthquake, 1994

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.

December 15 - Doggerel

FLV California train

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.

December 15 - The Fresno Bee


Uber Self-Driving Car

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.

December 15 - The New York Times

Ryan Zinke

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.

December 15 - The Washington Post - Energy and Environment

Oakland skyline and San Francisco Bay

Oakland Startup Trades Homes 'Like Stock'

Roofstock is an online marketplace where investors can buy, sell, and trade homes that tenants are living in.

December 15 - BizJournals

Seattle Streetcar

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.

December 15 - Capital Hill Seattle Blog

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.

December 15 - Modern Cities

Clear-Sky Flood

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.

December 15 - ProPublica

Sprawl

BLOG POST

Is There an Environmentalist Case for Sprawl?

Yes, sprawl is still bad for the environment.

December 14 - Michael Lewyn

Street Snow

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.

December 14 - Sneckdown Calgary

Englewood

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.

December 14 - Chicagoist

Houston Bus Lane

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.

December 14 - Texas Star Tribune

Uber Lyft Departure

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

December 14 - Financial Times - Alphaville

Texas Governor Rick Perry

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.

December 14 - Politico

Co-Working Office

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.

December 14 - Houston Chronicle

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.