The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Parking Spaces Give Way to Stormwater-Collecting Dumpsters in Gowanus
A project proposal from Alloy Development and the Gowanus Canal Conservancy makes creative use of space to achieve stormwater benefits in the neighborhood surrounding the Gowanus Canal.

Traffic Projections Missing from $6 Billion Tampa Bay Express Toll Road Plans
A Tampa Bay Times columnist continues a crusade against the faulty projections that enable toll road construction projects in Florida, and the sprawling development patterns that follow.

Trudeau Wary of Unintended Consequences in Dealing with Vancouver's Housing Crisis
Prime Minister Trudeau took sides on one controversial issue central to the debate about the cost of housing in Vancouver, but stopped short of suggesting a clear policy agenda for the federal government to improve the problem.

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Who Moves and What It Means for Growing Cities
It’s difficult to grow a city. Tax revenues limit budgets and there are trade-offs involved in how to spend those resources. Any city trying to allocate resources to grow needs to know who moves.
Smart City World Congress 2016 is Cities for Citizens
After the huge success of the 2015 edition, with more than 14,000 visitors and 105 countries attending the show, Fira de Barcelona readies the sixth edition focusing on citizens and the circular economy.

Austin Debates Competing Visions for Transportation Investments
The city of Austin's political leadership has proposed a package of competing bond proposals to raise money for large congestion relief measures in the fast-growing city.

Gehry's Plans for Los Angeles River Restoration Gaining Clarity
Details are emerging in the controversial effort by Gehry Partners, LLP to plan a new vision for the Los Angeles River. So far, however, Gehry Partners seems to have been listening more than plotting or drawing.

Record Number of People Displaced Around the World in 2015
The United Nations is calling for action in the face of a record number of people were displaced—more than half of all refugees around the world came from Syria, Afghanistan, or Somalia.

How Self-Driving Cars Could Lead to More Sprawl
Much of the focus on the potential of self-driving cars to effect change in the built environment has focused on dense, urban environments. But what is self-driving cars mostly enable continued outward expansion?

Solar Canopies Provide a Solution for New York Roofs
A design fix helps Brooklyn brownstones go green.

'Native Plants' Won't Save Urban Biodiversity
Part literature review, part political appeal, this article makes the case for rethinking the concept of what makes plants native—especially in the face of climate change.

Portland Approves New Comprehensive Plan
The Portland City Council voted unanimously to approve a new Comprehensive Plan.

Phoenix Seeks an Urban Future
Phoenix, once described as 'the world’s least sustainable city' is focusing growth on its downtown and investing in light rail and bike share to attract high tech companies and workers.
Shuttering of Illinois Nuke Plants Cause Enviro Groups to Rethink Opposition
The Wall Street Journal reports that the climate crisis is causing some mainstream environmental groups, including the largest, the Sierra Club, to rethink their long-standing opposition to the carbon-free power source.

Map-Correcting App Shows 'The True Size Of' Places
Typical world maps badly misrepresent the size of countries; a new web app shows their true scale.

Oakland Gets a Department of Transportation
Oakland's new DOT will take a "complete streets" approach to transportation planning.

University of Washington Prevails in Preservation Battle Over its 'Nuclear Reactor Building'
It's a story of Goliath beating David in a preservationist fight in Seattle, but not before raising questions about how a university fits intot he city's regulatory environment.
St. Louis Puts Renewed Effort Into Vacant Properties
St. Louis Public Radio explains the various efforts of the St. Louis Land Reutilization Authority.
Tampa Has a New Protected Bike Lane
The new Cass Street bike lane is the latest example of a city making unprecedented progress in bike infrastructure.

Cincinnati Streetcar Exempt from Open Records Law
The Cincinnati Business Courier reports on the local effect of a long-standing state law.
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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.