The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Reducing the Mortgage Interest Deduction Could Be a Bipartisan Victory
The Washington Post Editorial Board calls for reform of the mortgage interest tax deduction.
Have We Got a Game for You: 'Bay Area Regional Planner'
Some people like to leave their work at the office. But maybe you're the kind of planner who likes to turn the largest challenges of the profession into a game to be enjoyed in your free time.
Balancing the Need for Housing Supply with Need for Office Space
London is the stage for one of the problems that arises when encountered with a dearth of accommodations for housing and offices.
Planners Need To Be Less Polite Sometimes
It's one thing to oppose development and rail against local planning policies. Plenty of policies, plans, and political processes are pretty lousy. It's another thing to disrupt and dominate a meeting designed to make these processes better.
BLOG POST
Ask the Ethicist: Conflict of Interest and Constitutional Rights
Planetizen resident ethicist Carol D. Barrett, FAICP, images a scenario that highlights the distinction between citizen and planner, and where sometimes it's inappropriate to cross the line between the two.
FEATURE
More Than Money: Civic Crowdfunding for Participatory Community Development
Crowdfunding platforms have attracted attention for their capacity to bring together likeminded people from far-flung corners of the world. Worth building on, however, is the ability of some platforms to bring together neighborhoods and communities.
The Power of Houston's 'Magic Bus'
The Neighborhood Centers non-profit operates a bus named for the Who song "Magic Bus" to fill the fundamental needs of low income residents of Houston: access to jobs, healthcare, markets, and home.
Ambitious Goals for the 'Highway of the Future' in Georgia
In naming a highway after an green business pioneer, the state of Georgia took an initial step in what has become a growing effort to implement a new focus on the environment in the state's transportation system.
Fix Housing Supply, Save the City: Is it Really That Easy?
Planning wonks might have felt all warm inside when they noticed zoning topics wedging their way into broader conversations about community affordability and equity. Bring it on. Finally.
Anchorage Changes Policies for Cell Towers in Neighborhoods
Draft regulations under consideration in Anchorage "would prohibit building large cellphone towers next to homes in dense urban settings."
Poor Urban Planning at Heart of Devastation in India's Torrential Rains
The death toll from the torrential rains in Chennai, capital of Tamil Nadu state, and the surrounding region has climbed to 345 as of Dec. 4. While the scope of the rains are unprecedented, poor urban planning has been linked to the devastation.
A Hoboken Resident Finds Fault in Parking Minimums
In older, denser communities like Hoboken, NJ, where almost everything is walkable and land value is sky high, why are city officials still requiring parking minimums?
Gentrification Is More Widespread Than We Think
Gentrification is happening faster than our ability to track it via census data. What is rental data telling us now?
Cambridge Studying its Vulnerability to Climate Change
The Cambridge Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment is based on detailed climate projections, heat island mapping, and precipitation driven flood modeling. Over 1,000 physical assets and social factors are assessed for vulnerability.
BLOG POST
Does Wendell Cox Realize He Just Supported Smart Growth?
Smart Growth critic Wendell Cox recently endorsed White House Economic Advisor Jason Furman's criticisms of zoning codes that limit infill development, essentially endorsing Smart Growth policy reforms.
BLOG POST
Mr. Kimmelman's Metropolis
The New York Times architecture critic is making good on his promise to focus on the social context and redemptive qualities of urban architecture and design. A recent lecture in Denver identified several imperatives for the planning profession.
Changes Ahead for Amtrak
New pilot projects authorized by the FAST Act include allowing private operators to bid on operating three of Amtrak's 15 long-distance lines for up to eight years "provided they reduce the need for taxpayer support" and allowing pets on trains.
King County Metro Looks to the App to Solve the First Mile Problem
An app is helping to bring transit riders from their home to the nearest park-and-ride in King County, Washington.
A New Guide to Participatory Planning
A new guidebook by the Montréal Urban Ecology Centre can help improve a critical part of the job for all planners.
Dallas Has Nation's First Hybrid Streetcar
At critical points, Dallas' streetcar system runs without overhead cables. Two batteries underneath the car store enough power to propel the train across a mile-long bridge.
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.
