The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Scott Pruitt

EPA Administrator Transitions from Climate Change Skeptic to Denier

Perhaps there never really was much difference between 'skepticism' and 'denial'. Scott Pruitt certainly proved that on Thursday when he answered CNBC's Joe Kernen's question if carbon emissions are the primary cause of climate change.

March 13 - CNBC

Dog

Is Eugene, Oregon's Downtown Dog Ban, a Stealth Ban on Homeless?

The Eugene City Council enacted a 'trial dog ban' in downtown to protect public safety after complaints of aggressive dogs.

March 13 - The Register-Guard

Empty Subway

Transit Agencies Struggling to Predict Ridership, Even as They Raise Fares

At transit agencies like D.C, Metro, bad ridership projections beget bad fare scheduling which begets bad budgets. And so on.

March 13 - WAMU

Omaha - Wagon in the City

Billion-Dollar Mixed Use Project in Omaha Gets Preliminary Approvals

A large mixed-use development proposed as a 'gateway to western Omaha' has received approval from the city's planning board.

March 13 - Omaha World Herald

Manhole Steam

Local Opposition Prevails in Battle Over Subway Emergency Ventilation Plant in New York

Neighborhood opposition kills an infrastructure pipe dream in New York City.

March 13 - DNAInfo


Queen-Spadina

BLOG POST

The Wisdom of Engaging Nervous Cyclists

It was clear to the City of Toronto that engaging less confident cyclists that make up 60% of the population, yet seldom come to community meetings, might be the key to dramatic mode shifts in the city. Here's how it happened.

March 13 - Dave Biggs

Charlotte Lynx

Light Rail Opening Next Year, More Lines Proposed—Transit Debates Keep Finding Charlotte

An extension of the Lynx Blue Line is schedule to open to the public on March 31, 2018. Controversy regarding sales taxes have traditionally followed transit projects in the region.

March 12 - Charlotte Magazine


Pothole Car

In Omaha, 'Reclaiming' Potholed Streets Means Unpaving Them

The euphemism refers to a cost-saving measure that's happening even in central districts, to the chagrin of residents. This reversion to gravel roads is one manifestation of a looming local infrastructure deficit.

March 12 - The New York Times

Homes

In Appreciation of Gentle Density

How does one talk about density without frightening people? One term that's floating around is "gentle density," referring to the missing middle between mid-rise and detached homes.

March 12 - Metro Toronto

Fatehpur Sikri

Learning from Mughal Architecture of Northern India

Fatehpur Sikri, an example of Mughal architecture in Northern India, has some lessons and reminders for modern architects, writes Indian trained Bay Area architect, artist, and planner Ayub Patel.

March 12 - UrbDeZine

Survey Finds Surprising Generation Trends in the Real Estate Market

Generation X is barnstorming the market, so to speak, and Millennials and Baby Boomers might be swapping their perspectives on the urban, suburban divide.

March 12 - Realtor

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Popular Energy Star Program on The Budget Chopping Block

As details emerge from the Trump Administration's draft budget proceedings, more programs of relevance to the planning profession are queued up for the chopping block. The budget is still far from a done deal, however.

March 11 - E&E News

Manhattan

To Inspire New Development, New York Rethinking its Shadow-Predicting Formula

The New York Department of City Planning is considering changes to a formula used to model the shadows cast by potential developments as part of its Midtown East rezoning plan.

March 11 - Crain's New York Business

Gentrification

Lessons for YIMBYs From Boyle Heights

In the wake of a very pro-development March election, Los Angeles seems ready to embrace change. But not everywhere. In low-income Boyle Heights, residents have been more militant than most against encroaching gentrification.

March 11 - CityLab

San Diego Gaslamp District

Making It Easier to Build Won't Help

Here are some observations that may shed light on the mystery of why—despite creating every incentive that planners can conceive—we are failing to produce affordable housing at the level we need.

March 11 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Detroit

On Detroit's Proposed Tallest Skyscraper

Slated for the site of the late Hudson's department store, Dan Gilbert's mixed-use mecca and its glassy 734-foot tower would symbolize Detroit's rebirth, in downtown at least.

March 11 - Detroit Free Press

New Jersey Town Rejects Mosque, Claims Zoning Issues

Bayonne, New Jersey doesn't currently have a mosque, after a heated six-hour zoning meeting officials have rejected an application to build one.

March 10 - WNYC

Homeless Encampment

Tents Under Bridges Outlawed in Houston

In an attempt to remove homeless people from underpasses, Houston Mayor proposes legislation to make it a misdemeanor to put up such structures.

March 10 - Next City

Civil Engineers Release U.S. Infrastructure Scorecard: D+

Every four years the American Society of Civil Engineers issues a report on the state of America's infrastructure, extensively cited by the media. This year's report, released March 9, shows no improvement over 2013's, but do check the subcategories

March 10 - American Society Of Civil Engineers

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.

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.