The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Long-Delayed Silver Spring Transit Center Opens Sunday
Four years behind schedule and $50 million over budget, the Silver Spring Transit Center will be open to bus business on September 20, 2015. Eventually, light rail will also serve the location.
Cities Honored for Smart Growth
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 13th annual Smart Growth Achievement Awards recognize communities that lead the way in compact, walkable growth.
New Census Data Shows Lack of Improvement on Income, Poverty
While the Census Bureau reported impressive findings on the reduction of Americans without health insurance last year, there was nothing impressive in the numbers on income and poverty, notwithstanding an increase in employment.
Census Reveals the States Where the Affordable Care Act Has Insured the Most Residents
If the goal of the Affordable Care Act is to reduce the percentage of Americans without health insurance, new Census data shows it's doing just that. Americans without health insurance fell by three percent last year, or 8.8 million people.
When Publicly Funded Stadiums Gut Neighborhoods
In Atlanta—and throughout the country—city politicians have proven willing and eager to support stadium construction. But though these facilities are marketed as economic drivers, they often cause steep declines instead.
Appalachian Coal's Last Wheezing Breath
As the nation abandons old-school West Virginia coal, a scarred and cratered landscape remains. Can residents build a new economy and overcome the legacy of an often-brutal industry?
Online Retail Curbs Urban Traffic
Despite claims that urban truck traffic continues to rise, recent data shows no real increase in urban vehicle miles traveled. Online shopping may be helping keep people off the roads.
The problems of success in the new urban era
Cities face challenges associated with rising values, an influx of more educated residents, and gentrification. Here's what cities can do.
One Fare Card for All 26 Transit Agencies in Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County has dreamed the impossible dream—and will now provide transit access to all of its transit agencies with the use of one fare card.
Unintended Consequences Predicted for de Blasio's Inclusionary Zoning Policy
According to New York Yimby, Mayor de Blasio's proposed inclusionary zoning policy could do more to protect small market-rate developments, without affordable housing, than it will to create affordable units.
D.C.'s RFK Stadium Losing its Last Tenant—What's Next?
An ongoing planning study by Events DC, commenced by a previous mayoral administration, could conflict with the desire of the current mayor for the site of RFK Stadium
Revealed: James Corner Field Operations Designs of the 'Underline' in Miami
After transforming opinions about public space with the High Line in New York, James Corner Field Operations will shift focus below the tracks—the Underline park under the MetroRail line in Miami.
Friday Funny: The Onion Discovers New Gentrification Indicators
The satirical site The Onion has been consistently roasting the contemporary conversation about urban living.
Small Clubs Make Creative Hubs: the Importance of Live Music Venues
Cities like London are losing their creative edge because the small music venues that foster it are being pushed out.
Luxury Bus Service Leap Files for Bankruptcy
The privately owned and operated bus service known as Leap never recovered from its brush with regulators in May 2015.
Solar Power Approved for Site of Defunct Nuclear Plant
A nuclear plant shut down by a vote of the people in the 1980s will find new life as a solar project.
Texas Voters Will Again Be Asked to Divert Funds for Transportation
Refusing to raise the 20-cent gas tax, creative Texas legislators have devised another scheme to divert existing revenue streams to roads. Last year it was a portion of the Rainy Day Fund. This year, from general sales and motor vehicle sales taxes.
Tips for Writing Better Planning Documents
Writing may not be the key focus for urban planners, but it is a necessary skill for better communicating with the public on important planning issues, writes Clement Lau, a Los Angeles County planner.
21 Winners Selected for Federal TOD Planning Grants
$19.5 million was awarded to 21 planning projects that will leverage transit investment for land use benefit.
Marohn Debates O'Toole
Charles Marohn, known as a reformed traffic engineer that launched Strong Towns, recently debated Randall O'Toole, known as the anti-planner. Recommended for understanding the conflicts that arise on the right side of the political spectrum.
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.
