The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Shut It and Gut It: Anchorage Takes Hard Look at Transit Center
After 500 hours of analyzing its downtown transit center, Anchorage officials have come to one conclusion: The only way to fix this building is to shut it and gut it. The transit center, over three decades, has become a blight on Downtown.
A Conservationist Turns to the City
Journalist Alex Ulam speaks with Sarene Marshall, director of the Urban Land Institute's Center for Sustainability, about the role conservation is playing in fighting climate change and her role at the agency.
Remembering Edward W. Soja, Renowned Urbanist Author and Professor
Renowned UCLA planning professor, urbanist, and author Edward W. Soja passed away last month. L.A.-based planner, and former Soja student, Jonathan Bell writes about his teachings and how they influenced him.
Philadelphia's Triumphs, Challenges, and Opportunities
Philadelphia's recent growth is noteworthy. A series of public choices and commitments have helped to restore confidence in the city's government, re-position the city's employment base, and improve quality of life for citizens.
A Transportation Network Company's Surprising Early Adopters: Seniors
There's more than one way to meet demand for transportation options.
FEATURE
The Most Popular Planetizen Posts of 2015
The results of a year's worth of writing, reading, sharing, and commenting are in. These are the most popular Planetizen posts from the year 2015.
Defending Nuclear Power Plants from Sea Level Rise
Environmentalists are pushing the nuclear industry to do more to prepare for sea level rise. An estimated 13 nuclear plants in the U.S. are considered vulnerable now or in the future.
Planning Programs to Watch in the Federal Omnibus Spending Bill
Congress is on pace to wrap up a major piece of federal legislation before leaving for recess.
East Portland Mobilizing Against Gentrification
East Portland is home to 25 percent of the city's residents—many of which are low-income or immigrants. The East Portland Action Plan aims to protect the community as a wave of gentrification approaches.
Cities Should Stop Electronic Warrantless Surveillance
From ALPR cameras mounted on garbage trucks to IMSI catchers such as Dirtboxes and Stingrays, local authorities have increased exponentially the amount of electronic surveillance, with little regard for the basic principles of privacy.
Oil Export Ban Lifted—After 42 Years
Thanks to a 'must-pass' omnibus spending bill that President Obama indicated he would sign, the ban on crude oil exports, a relic of the 1973 Arab oil embargo, will be lifted. In exchange, energy credits will be extended for wind and solar products.
Visualizing the Drought in the Colorado River Basin
The Colorado River, drinking water source for one in ten Americans, is severely impacted. A new interactive visualization illustrates just how dramatic the problem has become.
Big Changes in the New Year for the Seattle Department of Planning and Development
The traditional functions of planning are going to look a lot different in Seattle when the calendar changes to 2016.
Dissecting the National Infrastructure Bank Idea
Hillary Clinton recently proposed the creation of a national infrastructure bank—an idea also put forward several times by the Obama Administration. Posts by Vox and City Observatory put the idea under a microscope.
Keeping Indianapolis Beautiful With Pocket Parks
A local non-profit recently announced funding for the development of five public green spaces in the coming year. The projects represent incremental progress toward a larger, shared vision.
When 'Vision Zero' Conflicts With Local Politics
Community leaders sometimes present the biggest obstacles when and where the rubber hits the road on Vision Zero traffic safety improvements. New York City Mayor de Blasio is pushing for more power for the DOT.
Huge Southern California Methane Leak Won't Be Plugged for Months
The mother of all natural gas leaks can be found near Porter Ranch in Los Angeles County. The methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is leaking from an underground storage facility known as the Aliso Canyon Gas Storage Field owned by SoCalGas Company.
Congress to Even Tax Breaks for Car and Transit Commuters
Tax benefits have long provided more incentives for car commuters than transit users. Congress is expected to even the score with a new tax bill.
A New Atlas of American History
A new online mapping project called American Panorama earned rave reviews this week from CityLab and Gizmodo.
BLOG POST
Implications for Planning Emerge From COP21
The Conference of Parties (COP21) held during the last two weeks in Paris establishes ambitious climate change emission reduction targets. This will be a challenge and opportunity for planners. Here are some highlights.
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.
