The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Houston Flood

Developments Surrounding Houston's Distressed Dams

The Houston Chronicle continues a series of feature articles about the persistent flooding of the region. The latest installment examines the tenuous position of the Addicks and Barker dams.

September 6 - Houston Chronicle

Over $14 Million Awarded to Eight Projects to Find Alternatives to Gas Taxes

The U.S. Department of Transportation is funding ways to transition from the gas tax to other user-based revenue mechanisms to fund transportation infrastructure. The federal gas tax hasn't keep pace with transportation expenditures since 2008.

September 6 - U.S. D.O.T. Press Release

Fracking

Anti-Fracking Initiatives Fail Before Getting to the Ballot in Colorado

An initiative to prohibit fracking within 2,500 feet of an occupied building and another that would have allowed local governments to ban fracking will no longer be on the ballot in Colorado.

September 6 - Grist

Kansas State University

A Story of Success: Manhattan, Kansas

The story of a revitalized economy in Manhattan, Kansas is a story of thorough partnership with Kansas State University.

September 6 - The Topeka Capital-Journal

Subway Sign

The Market Rate of a Shorter Commute

Analysis by FiveThirtyEight offers a lesson in trade-offs. In this case: how much more New Yorkers are willing to pay for less time spent commuting.

September 6 - FiveThirtyEight


Cherry Blossom Washington, D.C.

BLOG POST

Urban Sanity: Understanding Urban Mental Health Impacts and How to Create Saner, Happier Cities

Some experts claim that city living causes mental illness and unhappiness, but a new study indicates that urban environments provide many mental health benefits. Better planning can help make sane and happy cities.

September 6 - Todd Litman

The Shard

London's Cascading Displacement Effects Start at the Top of the Income Ladder

New research from the International Inequalities Institute at the London School of Economics finds evidence of the displacement of elites from affluent neighborhoods in London.

September 5 - The Guardian


Cupertino

White Flight Continues From Ethnoburbs Around the Country

As affluent whites have returned to more urban areas, some might think that white flight is a relic of the 20th century, but overwhelming evidence shows that white flight continues, just in a different place and time.

September 5 - Pacific Standard

Cap-and-Trade Bill Boosts California's Struggling Biomass Facilities

California's new rigorous renewable portfolio standard of 50 percent by 2030 will support a renewable energy source that serves the dual purpose of reducing forest fire hazards.

September 5 - Planetizen

Chicago's South Side Gains New Bus Service

New and improved bus service launched on the South Side of Chicago over Labor Day weekend.

September 5 - Chi.Streetsblog

Taco Truck

'A Taco Truck on Every Corner' Offers a Teachable Moment

The lessons to be learned when considering the idea of a taco truck on every corner include definitions of components of the built environment like corners, intersections, and taco trucks, as well as examples of concepts like supply and demand.

September 5 - The Washington Post

California

Demographic Changes and Environmental Leadership in Sacramento

It has been a good year for environmentalists, but it hasn't come easily, as seen in the much-celebrated but delayed passage of SB 32 that continues the landmark emissions reductions first set in 2006. Joe Mathews explains the transitions underway.

September 4 - Zocalo Public Square

Canada Trail

Meet Canada's 'Great Trail'—20,770 Kilometers of Car-Free Trail

It doesn't matter what country you're from, if you like to ride your bike in beautiful places away from cars, you'll be envious of Canada's Great Trail.

September 4 - MTL Blog

Jersey Shore

The Jersey Shore—Or Philadelphia East

People who own property on the Jersey Shore tend to have a lot in common when it comes to geography, income, and religion.

September 4 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Southwest LRT

Minnesota's Southwest Light Rail Back From the Dead

Regional and county agencies figured out a way to move forward with the Southwest light rail plan without the help of the politically divided state. That could mean the state has time to climb on board by next year's legislative session.

September 4 - MinnPost

Detroit Motor Bus

Detroit to Expand Bus Service

Good news for transit riders in Detroit—new buses and 24-hour routes are coming soon.

September 4 - The Detroit Free Press

The Stitch

Planetizen Week in Review: September 3, 2016

Books! Maps! Data! Renderings! What more could you want from one week?

September 3 - Planetizen

Stormwater

More Study Needed: How to Make Green Streets Work

A review of the current research into the effectiveness of green streets and green infrastructure finds gaps in our understanding of what works, and where.

September 3 - Green Infrastructure

BART Train

Serenity Now! BART Finds a Solution to Its Screeching Trains

BART trains have always made a lot of noise—impacting riders and the people who live along the regional system's routes. Now there's hope that the racket could be a thing of the past.

September 3 - Wired

Castle Rock Parkway

A New Road to Relieve Congestion on Denver's Southern Periphery

Castle Rock Parkway, which connects US 85 and I-25 south of Denver (or north of Colorado Springs, depending on your perspective), opened service to the public this week.

September 3 - The Denver Post

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.