The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Bay Area Sends Mixed Message on BART Funding
BART won big on election night with the passage of Measure RR, a $3.5 billion infrastructure bond measure. But the San Francisco Chronicle observes that results from two other local ballot measures suggest a mixed message on the rapid transit system.
A New Urbanist Community, 15 Years Later
A look at how Baldwin Park has matured after 15 years of development.
Friday Eye Candy: Turning Gentrification Data Into Art
Herwig Scherabon is a graphic designer featured this week in The Guardian.
Which U.S. Cities Are Lowering Parking Minimums?
Based on crowdsourced data from across the country, this updated map shows which municipalities have eliminated, lowered, or discussed their parking minimum laws.
Developers Clash Over Newport Beach High-Rise Project
Developers and concerned residents tussle in Orange County, California, as a property meant to host an art museum moves toward redevelopment as high-rise luxury condos instead.
Disused Atlanta Industrial Site Slated for Historic Status
Currently owned by the state of Georgia, Atlanta's Pullman Yard may get a lot harder (but not impossible) to redevelop. Atlanta's Urban Design Commission is considering a proposal to grant protected status to the property.
Tougher Background Checks for Massachusetts Uber, Lyft Drivers
The companies' agreement with Governor Charlie Baker's administration requires a state-run check in addition to the usual check through an independent contractor. Fingerprinting, however, will not be required.
Making California Climate-Resilient
California is working on a plan to adapt infrastructure statewide to the future impacts of climate change.
Malign Neglect? Urban Policy in the Trump Era
How much do we have to fear from the president-elect's policy plans for urban America? We can hope that he will follow his party's playbook and largely ignore the cities, but potential changes to housing policy are more serious.
Alaska's Attempt at Clean Coal Technology Proves Costly, Problematic
An explosion on Nov. 2 forced GVEA to shut down the power plant earlier this month after struggling with a number of mishaps that have kept Golden Valley from bringing the Healy 2 plant online.
BLOG POST
White Voters and Polarization: Can We Span the Racial Divide by Emphasizing Shared Interests?
Dowell Myers reflects on an article from the Journal of Planning Education and Research in light of the recent presidential election.
Step Away from the Vehicle (And Take Back the Journey)
Walkability’s greatest gifts to health are most accessible when we encounter one another in the flesh. In pedestrian-friendly environments, others amenitize space. On the highway, they encumber it.
Trump Selects Elaine J. Chao, former Labor Secretary, as Transportation Secretary
Elaine Chao served all eight years as President George W. Bush's former Secretary of Labor and also under his father's administration as Deputy Secretary of Transportation. She is married to Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).
FEATURE
Planetizen's Top Planning Books for 2017
Planetizen is pleased to release its list of the best books published in 2016 on the subjects of planning, design, and development.
Rising Rents, Stagnant Economy
Since the 1970s, many American cities have played host to rising rents and stagnant incomes. Richard Florida writes about how the "great rent squeeze" might be choking the country's economic prospects.
Inside Mussolini's Fascist New Town
Founded in 1928, the fascist new town of Arborea (formerly known as Mussolinia) still shows hints of the divergence between the traditional towns of Sardinia and the modernist leanings of its founders.
The 'Night Mayor' Phenomenon Spreads
Managing cities' sometimes-turbulent relationship with their nightlife, "night mayors" help cities capitalize on an industry that has become a marker of urban prestige.
Pot Farms as Tourist Attraction in Northern California
Humbolt County has long been associated with growing marijuana, now some see an opportunity to turn that association into tourist dollars.
Local Buses Among the First to Benefit from L.A. County's Measure M
Fifteen municipal or regional bus services in Los Angeles County that receive funding from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority will be among the first to benefit from a newly approved transportation sales tax.
Salida, Colorado: National Leader in the Development of Tiny Homes
Allowing the development of a planned community of 200 rental units, ranging from 200 to 800 square feet, will earn a position among the nation's most progressive land use policies.
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.
