The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Shanghai

Ten of the Best New Skyscrapers From Around the World

Dezeen presents a not-so-humble list of the ten best skyscrapers opened to the public in 2016.

December 20 - Dezeen

Fargo, North Dakota

Arguing in Favor of Fargo's Embattled Flood Management Project

The Red River Diversion project, also known as the Fargo-Moorhead Flood Risk Management project, has full federal approval but was recently denied a critical permit by the state. This op-ed questions the wisdom of the state's action.

December 20 - MinnPost

A Guide for Everyday People to Activate a City's Waterfront

One community advocate's step-by-step guide to activating hidden public waterfront space.

December 20 - Modern Cities

Stockton Foreclosure

Principles of Housing Finance Reform: The Imperative of Rebuilding the System

In a new article, Penn IUR Fellow Joseph Tracy and Penn IUR Co-Director Susan Wacther write about the imperative of rebuilding the housing finance system.

December 20 - Penn IUR Urban Link

New York City

FEATURE

A Grid Balancing Act for Vibrant, Varied, and Sustainable Places

An analysis of three essential attributes of urban grids reveals a preferred layout for the desired effect of a vibrant, active community.

December 20 - Fanis Grammenos


California

Another Attempt at California's By-Right Affordable Housing Proposal

The new streamlining bill for affordable housing will not have the governor's name, but that of freshman Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener, who made a name for himself as a tenacious housing advocate while San Francisco County Supervisor.

December 20 - KQED: California Report

University of Pennsyvlania

Low Cost Housing Units Disappearing from Philadelphia's Gentrifying Neighborhoods

Researchers from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia find evidence of displacement in Philadelphia's gentrifying neighborhoods.

December 20 - Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia


Detroit Skyline

A Culture Change Takes Hold at the Detroit Planning Department

For all its troubles, Detroit has undertaken some of the greatest urban success stories of recent years. New leadership at the city's Planning Department is hoping to expand those narratives to long-neglected parts of the city.

December 20 - The Detroit Free Press

Minneapolis Stone Arch Bridge

Minneapolis Pulls Out of its Regional Economic Development Partnership

The Minneapolis Saint Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership (Greater MSP) will now longer have funding support from the city of Minneapolis.

December 20 - Minneapolis Star-Tribune

D.C. Streetcar

D.C. Streetcar Working in Harmony with Overlapping Bus Lines

The D.C. Streetcar wraps up 2016 with positive news for its ridership numbers, as well as a positive effect on the nearby transit system.

December 20 - Greater Greater Washington

Electoral College

FEATURE

The Most Popular Planetizen Posts of 2016

No Electoral College needed: these were the most popular Planetizen posts from the year 2016.

December 19 - James Brasuell

Chicago Riverwalk

Embracing Rivers as a Vehicle for Urban Revitalization

A new study includes urban rivers as a potential powerful amenity for economic development and revitalization. The city of Chicago has already taken note.

December 19 - Chicago Magazine

Tilikum Crossing

Portland Takes Another Step Toward Multi-Modalism

The city of Portland will take the momentous step of estimating person trips, rather than car trips, when estimating the impacts of new developments. The decision is another step toward ending the systems of car-centric planning.

December 19 - Bike Portland

Additional Study Necessary for Seattle to Pass Accessory Dwelling Units Legislation

A recent ruling by the City Hearing Examiner is a setback—but not necessarily a permanent one—for the city's efforts to loosen regulations on accessory dwelling units.

December 19 - Seattle Met

Austin

Casting Doubt on Yield-to-Transit Laws

Austin planners are considering a law designed to ensure bus service performance by requiring drivers to allow buses to merge after making a stop, but transit advocates point to a body of research that casts doubt on the efficacy of such laws.

December 19 - Austin Monitor

Santiago Caltrava

An Annual, Irreverent List of Architecture Awards

Critics Alexandra Lange and Mark Lamster hand out their annual awards for architecture and design, with welcome focus and studied opinions on what make great cities great.

December 19 - Curbed

Toronto Subway

BLOG POST

A Plea for Cities

A discussion of private and public space, revealing an argument for justice.

December 19 - Steven Snell

Rural

King County, Washington Won't Budge on Rural Developments

The city of Snoqualimie's requests to expand in to "rural" King County has been denied.

December 19 - KUOW

Environmental Justice

The Return of Social Justice to the Causes of Environmentalism

The Trump Administration's politics could provide a nudge to bring environmentalism back to its roots in social justice.

December 19 - The Atlantic

Bay Bridge, New Year's Eve

Bay Area Voters May Be Asked to Hike Bridge Tolls 60 Percent

Before the ballot measure would go to voters, state legislation needs to be written, passed, and signed by Gov. Brown. The first step was taken Dec. 14, when the region's planning agency discussed the option. Tolls are $5, last raised $1 in 2010.

December 19 - SF Gate

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.