The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

$36 Million Affordable Housing Scam Exposed in Miami

Two prominent developers have plead guilty to federal fraud charges for stealing millions of tax-payer dollars intended for low-income housing developments.

September 11 - Miami Herald

Deepening the Alliance Between the Planning and Public Health Professions

The Plan4Health program has provided an avenue for chapters of the American Public Health Association and the American Planning Association to fund and complete projects that improve the public health outcomes of the built environment.

September 11 - The Nation's Health

Atlanta's Transit System to Add Cell, WiFi Access

"Cool, cool, cool, cool, in every way," is Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority CEO Keith Parker's assessment of a proposed deal to install cell phone and WiFi access in transit stations and tunnels.

September 11 - Atlanta Journal Constitution

Dallas Puts New Downtown Light Rail Line on the Fast Track

The Dallas City Council has given preliminary approval to a proposed light rail line, currently called D2, which would add service capacity to the downtown core.

September 11 - The Dallas Morning News

The Not-So-Public Legacy of New York's Privately Owned Public Spaces

More and more often, barriers have been erected between the public and POPS, as privately owned public spaces are known.

September 11 - The New York Times


A New Algorithm to Predict Train Delays

An algorithm developed in Sweden adds an extra layer of reliability for rail commuters.

September 10 - Gizmodo

Tech Shuttle Pilot Might Stick Around San Francisco

They're hated by many, blamed for the city's gentrification, but are an integral part of regional transportation, enabling tech employees to work on the Peninsula and South Bay while living in the city. A city-approved pilot may become permanent.

September 10 - San Francisco Examiner


Chapultepec Fountain

Reinventing a Storied Thoroughfare in Mexico City

A team of designers will convert one Mexico City's most dangerous highways into an urban oasis.

September 10 - ASLA's The Dirt blog

1984 Olympics

Olympic Hopes Move the Finish Line for Los Angeles Rail Plans

The city of Los Angeles is leveraging its hopes as the U.S. candidate to host the 2024 Olympics to ramp up rail construction to an "extremely aggressive" timetable.

September 10 - Los Angeles Times

19 Progressive Recommendations for Seattle's Housing Crisis

The Urbanist chose 19 of the progressive recommendations from a total of 65 put forward by the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda Advisory Committee (HALA) committee.

September 10 - The Urbanist

Rail Crossings Exacerbating Traffic Concerns

As the city of Houston is growing, car traffic and rail traffic are also growing. The conflict between the two will be very expensive to resolve.

September 10 - The Houston Chronicle

Sprawl Connected to Traffic Fatalities in Louisville

A Louisville case study of the findings and recommendations of the World Resource Institute's "Cities Safer By Design" report.

September 10 - Broken Sidewalk

Central Park The Lake

What Makes a Park Great?

One of the country's most passionate supporters of parks writes a review of a book that explores the characteristics and qualities of great parks.

September 10 - The Nature of Cities

'ManyCities' Uses Mobile Phone Data to Visualize Human Activity

A new online visualization tool makes it easier to read and understand data about mobile phone usage in four cities around the world, including Los Angeles and New York.

September 10 - MIT Technology Review

Cambridge Looking to Value Capture Transit Funding

The city of Cambridge is proposing a new transportation enhancement fund that would charge developments to fund upgrades Red Line’s Kendall/MIT Station or enhanced bus service.

September 10 - The Boston Globe

Community Engagement

FEATURE

A Planning Primer: Validating the Lived Experiences of Immigrants

A few key considerations, implemented during a public engagement process, can ensure active and engaged participation from commonly marginalized groups and individuals.

September 9 - James Rojas

San Francisco Density

San Francisco Mayor Announces Affordable Housing Plan

Adding new details to a plan that is sure to create controversy, Mayor Ed Lee has a new plan to aadd affordable housing to the city of San Francisco.

September 9 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Shopping Carts

Making Big Box Stores More Walkable

June Williamson, co-author of Retrofitting Suburbia, spoke with Streetsblog about the challenge of making that most auto-centric of development typology—the big box—friendly to pedestrians and bicyclists.

September 9 - Streetsblog USA

National Attention for the Bold Plan to Reshape Transportation in the City of Angels

Mobility Plan 2035, a visionary plan to get Angelenos out of their cars, attracted the attention of The New York Times. The plan calls for using road diets and transit-only lanes to replace auto trips with bike and bus trips, but many are skeptical.

September 9 - The New York Times

Development Brings Educational Component to Mixed-Use Project

New mixed-use Prairiefire development in Overland Park, Kansas, combines a museum with retail, entertainment, and housing space to respond to strong demographics in an increasingly-competitive environment.

September 9 - ULI Urban Land Magazine

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