The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

$1.5 Billion in Economic Development Funds Awarded in Upstate New York

The Upstate Revitalization Initiative is also known as the "Upstate Hunger Games." $1.5 billion in available funding is certainly an attention grabber.

December 12 - Politico New York

Library Books

FEATURE

Top 10 Books - 2016

Planetizen is pleased to release its list of the ten best books in urban planning, design, and development published in 2015.

December 12 - James Brasuell and Josh Stephens

Friday Eye Candy: Move a Train...With Your Mind

Have you ever wanted to make the trains run on time? Or maybe just make the trains run at all? We have just the thing for you.

December 11 - The Oregonian

Study Reveals How People Link Bike Share and Transit

Bike share changes the way people use transit, depending on the time and the place.

December 11 - Streetsblog USA

Cities Are Putting Off Plans for Self-Driving Cars

A recent report casts light on a lack of preparation by cities for the future of transportation.

December 11 - Tech Insider


Somerville, MA to Test the Benefits of Self-Parking Cars

Audi and Somerville will begin testing self-parking cars in 2018. Imagine the possibilities.

December 11 - Governing

Water Main

Audit: Dallas Falling Behind as Water Mains Fail

The average water main in Dallas is 42 years old, and the costs of updating the city's water mains are estimated at $55 million a year. The problem: Dallas doesn’t even know where to start.

December 11 - The Dallas Morning News


hand pushing a cart down a supermarket aisle

Don't Blame Supermarkets for Food Deserts

Quartz makes the point that supermarkets alone won't solve the problem of poor diets among low-income Americans.

December 11 - Quartz

Good News on Bad Air Day in Beijing

Calling Monday's air pollution a 'bad air day' is a gross understatement. The "soupy metallic haze" was comparable to walking through a coal mine. People were told not to go outside. But the good news is how the government is addressing pollution.

December 11 - The New York Times - Asia Pacific

Lake Powell

Op-Ed: Lake Powell No Longer Needed

Eric Balken makes the case that Lake Powell, anchored in place by the Glen Canyon Dam, is too inefficient a reservoir during times of water scarcity. Lake Mead, he says, is more than up to the task.

December 11 - High Country News

Historic Hong Kong

Historic Hong Kong: Visualizing a Changed City

Created with input from historian Mark Footer, this tool overlays street views of modern Hong Kong with historical photos from the colonial era through the 20th century.

December 11 - HotelClub

Delay Sign

Friday Funny: A Comedian's Guide to Coping With Traffic

Not recommended reading for those currently operating a motor vehicle.

December 11 - Medium

Stroading

Charles Marohn: Not Your Typical Urbanist

From his home in Brainerd, Minnesota (population 13,500), this fiscally conservative engineer leads a growing movement. His slow-and-steady approach to urban development has real bipartisan appeal.

December 10 - MinnPost

710 Freeway Extension

From the Ashes of the 710 Extension: A Bold Plan for Southern California

An architecture critic spots an opportunity to think big after Caltrans finally ditched a plan to extend the I-710 Freeway through several Southern California cities.

December 10 - Los Angeles Times

Meals Programs Shifting Focus to Keep Up With Suburban Poverty

A case study of suburban poverty and the programs needed to help residents through tough times.

December 10 - StarTribune

Atlanta Streetcar

Streetcar Extension Plan Approved in Atlanta

The transit map is being redrawn in Atlanta.

December 10 - Atlanta Journal Constitution

Sprawl

BLOG POST

How to Teach About Sprawl (and Law)

Describing a seminar on "Sprawl and the Law" at the University of Pittsburgh.

December 10 - Michael Lewyn

Debating the Idaho Stop in the Nation's Capital

Rhetoric from both sides of the issue is on display as Washington, D.C. considers a new law allowing bike riders to treat stop signs as yield signs.

December 10 - Greater Greater Washington

Local Parks Provide $140 Billion in Economic Activity

Parks aren't always justified in economic terms, but a new report finds $140 billion reasons why parks are a positive addition to local communities.

December 10 - Next City

Report: Most New Rental Units Affordable Only for the Wealthy

A new report from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies adds to what seems, at this point, like a tsunami of bad news for rental housing affordability.

December 10 - The Washington Post

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.

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.