The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

The Dawn of the Electric Car
The electric car is poised to have its moment. In fact, the 2020s could be the decade of the electric car.
Boston City Hall Plaza Overhaul Moves Forward
Boston has a plan to transform City Hall Plaza from a neglected opportunity into a year-round entertainment venue.
Los Angeles Metro and Lyft Considering a Data Sharing Partnership
Metro, the transit agency for Los Angeles County, could be the first to peak under the hood at trip data generated by Lyft.
Intercity Bus Systems Keep a Foothold in Modern Times
Intercity buses might seem "Old World," but ridership is growing on intercity bus systems, and Greyhound is making big investments to stay ahead of the quickly moving transportation curve.
Homelessness Growing in Austin—For the First Time in Years
The state capital of Texas is not immune to the growing numbers of homeless in cities around the country.

The Life and Death of Urban Hierarchies
Kristen Jeffers writes that she's changed her mind about the existence of hierarchies among U.S. cities.
Feds Expect 40 Percent Growth in Freight in the Next 30 Years
A big data dump from the federal government earlier this week predicts drastic increases in the amount of freight that will be moving around the country in the next few decades.
L.A. Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Opens Today
All Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Gold Line riders will enjoy complimentary rides on Saturday to celebrate the opening of the $1 billion, 11.5-mile Gold Line Foothill Extension in the San Gabriel Valley.
Florida City First to Subsidize Uber Rides
A city in Florida is betting that transportation network companies can help reduce congestion and increase transit ridership.

Norway Has a Plan for $1 Billion in Bicycle Highways
It's not a done deal yet, but Norway's $1 billion plan for inter-city bicycle highways should be enough to inspire envy among cyclists here in the United States.

Happy Hour: Now You Can Drink on the Streets of Manhattan
The city of New York has decided that police have better things to do than bust people for drinking in public. Cheers!

Mud Wanted: Inquire Where the Sea level Rises
The San Francisco Bay Area serves as a case study, that applies in places like Louisiana as well, of how mud shortages compound the threats of sea level rise.
'Select Bus Service' in Queens Doubles in Price
The planning process has revealed a "select bus service" proposal for Queens to require a lot more time and funding than originally thought.

Census Data: Renters Have Shorter Commutes
According to an analysis by the data research team at Trulia, renters have shorter commutes in 43 of 50 major metros. But despite there being more renters, commutes are still getting longer.
Op-Ed: San Diego Should Look to Beaches to Increase Density
San Diego should look to its beach communities and its major intersections to achieve its housing and Climate Action Plan goals while minimizing community polarization, writes urban planning consultant Howard Blackson.
California's Ambitious Transportation Projects Designed to Include Communities
Unprecedented transit build-out in California could transform the state. Now leaders are working to ensure the infrastructure connecting major cities also benefits the communities it touches along the way.
Putting Geniuses In Their Place(s)
Eric Weiner's "The Geography of Genius" offers a delightful, if limited, analysis of cities throughout history where "genius" has arisen and offers inspiration for planners who want to make cities more than just places to live and do business.

Empty Nesters Stuck in the Suburbs
Just when boomers are ready to return to the city to enjoy all its cultural offerings, they find themselves priced out. Many do downsize, however, from large single family homes to more urban areas close to home.
Shoup Op-Ed: Planners Can Help the Poor By Reducing Parking Requirements
Put another way, Shoup's case against parking requirements is that they make life harder for the poor.

Friday Funny: Morgan Freeman Narrates the Pedestrian Experience
The most famous voice in narration, Morgan Freeman, visited Jimmy Kimmel Live and put his vocal talents to good use.
Pagination
Municipality of Princeton
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
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.