The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

More Transportation Options Needed to Connect Workers and Jobs in the Twin Cities
A new study identifies the disconnect between employees and employers in the Twin Cities region. The report also predicts dramatic improvements if the region's long-term transportation plans are realized.

Google, LinkedIn Complete 'Blockbuster' Land Swap
Big development news for two of the biggest names in the Silicon Valley.

The Common Traits of Successful Inner Ring Suburbs
Two suburbs of Cleveland provide a case study in how older, inner-ring suburbs can compete with the newer suburbs on the fringes of the region.

Population Analysis—Explained and Exemplified
Yonah Freemark provides a comprehensive explainer of the nuts and bolts of population analysis, applying that expertise to an examination of downtown population change.

Anaheim—Home to Disneyland—Bans All Short-Term Rentals
Reports about the decision by the Anaheim City Council to ban all short-term rentals, through companies like Airbnb or VRBO, described it as a victory for homeowners.

Development Still Going Strong in Baytown During Houston's Oil Downturn
The city of Baytown, located just east of Houston, is the location of several bright spots for the regional economy.
Zoning Amendment Allows Changes to Privately-Owned Public Spaces in Manhattan
Privately-owned public spaces on Walter Street in Manhattan could get a little more private and a little less public under terms of a new zoning amendment approved by the City Council.

Virginia Railway Express Wants to Upgrade its Transit Status
How do you take regional commuter rail and turn it into rail transit? Just add frequencies.

Looking for Solutions in a World of Innovations
Current trends in the design community require a pointed question: "When everything is characterized as 'world-changing,' is anything?"

Americans Shifting Away From the Auto, Maybe
The auto may no longer be "the quintessential symbol of American mobility, status and independence," opines Robert J. Samuelson for The Washington Post, as the latest demographic and auto ownership data point to a change in American mobility.

Facebook: Solo Commutes Increasing After Loss of Tech Shuttle Stops
Public pressure led the city of San Francisco to cut and relocate tech shuttle stops. Now the cities at the other end of the commute might be dealing with the consequences of those decisions.

Toronto Is the Future
As part of "Guardian Canada" week, an author writes a paean to benefits of a growing, forward looking, diverse city.
Meet the Roving Robot Parking Attendant
They're not as cute as R2D2, but they have better intentions than a Cylon. Welcome our new robot parking attendants.

Denver's Commuter Rail Cars: Same as SEPTA's But Without the Defects
Denver's transit agency is running very similar Hyundai Rotem EMUs on their new A Line to the airport. The car shells are imported from South Korea and assembled in the same Philadelphia plant as SEPTA's problem-plagued Silverliner V cars.

Suburbs Are Failing the Elderly
Around two-thirds of Baby Boomers in metropolitan areas live in the suburbs. But as they age, suburbia seems less and less hospitable.

Op-Ed: We Shouldn't Rush to Regulate Airbnb
Is Airbnb a prime target for regulation, or is it just another way to expand the marketplace for bedrooms? Dan Bertolet urges caution. After all, couldn't less Airbnb just mean more hotels?

Yards Getting Smaller as Homes Get Bigger
Americans have shown a clear preference for larger homes—even at the expense of the coveted backyard.
Greatest Barrier to Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in California: Gas Prices
Gas prices are down and sales are up, and greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, the largest source of the state's emissions, are up, even though overall they dipped. In addition to increased driving, sales of EVs and hybrids dropped.
Atlanta and Suburbs to Hold Separate Transportation Sales Tax Votes in November
The 13 suburban cities of Fulton County agreed to a roads-only, .75-cent sales tax measure that needs to be approved by the county, while Atlanta voters will decide on a MARTA-only .50-cent sales tax. MARTA serves eight of the cities.

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Playing 'Telephone' with Transportation Data
The transportation policy debate regularly falls victim to incorrect or incomplete "facts" getting passed around like the game of telephone.
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City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
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
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.