The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Pittsburgh Launches New Permit and Code Tracking Website
The city of Pittsburgh launched a Buildingeye website to provide new access to the development and approval process in the city.

Comparing Transit Systems and Populations for 13 Worldwide Cities
A new study compares regional population densities to transit systems to find out which transit systems have maximized their reach.

An Argument for Light Rail Over Bus Rapid Transit
Opponents of the ST3 transit funding measure in Seattle have argued that bus rapid transit is a cheaper alternative to light rail. A local write counter argues that point by making the economic case for light rail.
Tracking the Growth of the 'Gig Economy' in U.S. Cities
The Brookings Institute thinks it has found a way to measure the impact of the expanding 'gig economy'—i.e., freelancing work enabled by online platforms like Airbnb and Uber.

Responding to a Proposed Ban on Self-Driving Cars in Chicago
Gabe Klein thinks a proposed ban on self-driving cars in Chicago is shortsighted.

Where Are the Latino Home Owners?
In the United States, rates of homeownership among Latino families lag far behind those of white families. A recent article from the Urban Institute digs into the causes and effects of this issue.

Ridership Numbers Below Target on Portland's One-Year-Old Orange Line
Eliot Njus reports on underwhelming ridership figures for the MAX Orange Line light rail service between Portland and Milwaukie. "Forecasts used to help justify federal funding for the project called for 17,000 average weekday trips in 2016. The

Two Uber Drivers Granted Employment Status in New York
In an unprecedented ruling in New York, the state Department of Labor deemed two Uber drivers employees of the company.

Calling for an End to Federal Support for Beach Nourishment
In the wake of Hurricane Matthew, a researcher calls attention to the method behind the federal spending on billions of dollars of investment in unsustainable beaches.

The Dangers of Demolition for Its Own Sake
Jason Hackworth argues that demolition has come to be seen as a good, in and of itself, in rust belt cities like Detroit; giving rise to policies that are wrong-headed and dangerous.

Austin Chamber of Commerce Supports Form-Based Codes Among Traffic Fixes
The Austin Chamber of Commerce is connecting the dots between land use and transportation—and voicing its support for reform of the city's land use regulations.
EPA Awards Grant To Monitor Wetlands Using Unmanned Aircraft System
Community and Regional Planning Associate Professor Zhenghong Tang received an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant to explore the use of drones to monitor wetlands.

Seattle Sees Persistent Demand for Apartments
Data from a 2015 study of Seattle housing shows demand for apartment is robust and likely to stay that way.

San Diego Mayor Supports New Football Stadium
San Diego mayor, Kevin Faulconer, calls for voters to support $1.8 billion new football stadium.

San Francisco's Anti-Homeless Camping Proposition Has Tech Billionaires' Backing
San Francisco's Proposition Q, up for vote this November, would place additional limits on homeless camping in the city.

Comparing Energy Costs in Cities Around the Country
Residents of Rust Belt cities might pay less for housing, but they pay a lot more for energy.

Bridgegate Probe Widens to Include Gov. Chris Christie
While the U.S. District Attorney has stated that he would not target Christie, that hasn't stopped other courts from probing. The Bergen County Municipal Court has issued a summons for Christie relating to the closure of GW Bridge access lanes.
'Sleek' Housing Sprouts Up in Gentrifying Houston Neighborhood
Houston area's Oak Forrest neighborhood is the planned site for modern housing.

Friday Eye Candy: Watch as the Earth 'Breathes'
A new visualization from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History shows how the earth "breathes"—in the form of volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and emissions.

Friday Fun: Wynton Marsalis on the 'Mythic Significance' of Trains
Famed musician Wynton Marsalis recently spoke with Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx about the connections between music and transportation.
Pagination
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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