The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
California's Historic Drought Pressures Traditional Water Rights
California’s drought has the State Water Resources Control Board in "hyperdrive"—rushing to fill the gaps of a historic water-rights system, settle disputes over water use, and lay the groundwork for a sustainable future.
New Streetcar Line Set to Open August 1 in City by the Bay
As Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez of the San Francisco Examiner explains, the 'E' Line has only been over three decades in the making. Credit goes greatly to former mayor, now U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein, and the tireless work of committed advocates.
Coming Soon to Toll Roads in Florida: Express Lane Charges
Critics of express lanes have often described the tolling as a double-tax for the use of highways. In a first, Florida is planning to charge for express lanes on toll roads. Triple tax?
Hot Buttons and Live Wires: Inside Raleigh's Zoning Code Debate
Public hearings are underway in Raleigh to discuss the zoning changes necessary to implement the city's Unified Development ordinance. Heated rhetoric was inevitable.
Proposed Developments Could Eliminate Oklahoma City's New Dedicated Bike Lane
A traffic study evaluating the impact of proposed developments in Downtown Oklahoma City recommends removing a newly opened dedicated bike lane and parking spots to make room for another traffic lane.
The 'Unlikely Source' of Hope for Affordable Housing: the Private Sector
The chair of the Community Development Trust makes the case for the new potential of private sector investments in affordable housing.
5 Resilience Plans for the 21st Century
Resilience is one of the hottest buzzwords in contemporary planning, and planners in communities around the country are only beginning to realize the multiple benefits of the attention and funding devoted to resilience plans.
Ranking All 50 of Washington, D.C.'s State Avenues
Route Fifty created a ranking system to judge the "gravitas" of each of the avenues in the nation's capital named after the 50 states in the Union.
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Tomorrow's Digital City Center: The Glasgow Agenda
Take a walk around your downtown and what do you see. Most people are attached to their mobile phones, using them for directions, searching, and texting. See how can cities leverage digital technology to create a more engaging city center.
This Transit Authority is a Model of Bike-Friendliness
The Utah Transit Authority wants riders to try biking rather than driving to rail and transit stations, so they are offering $60 in giveaways to people that choose not to do so. Some stations come equipped with air pumps and repair stands.
Seattle's Alleys Getting a Face-Lift
Since 2010, planners, designers, and community members have been actively transforming Seattle's alleys into beloved places within the city's urban fabric.
Wind Turbines Likely Banned From Unincorporated Los Angeles County
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors acted against the recommendations of county planners in moving toward banning utility-scale wind energy production from unincorporated parts of the county.
Deaths Outnumber Births in Rural Virginia Counties
A decade ago many of Virginia's rural counties were among the fastest growing in the country, but in most of Virginia's counties deaths now outnumber births, and county populations are consequently growing more slowly or declining.
A Systems Approach to Planning and Urban Revitalization in Edmonton, Canada
The city of Edmonton’s comprehensive planning strategies aim for an "innovation ecosystem" that can compete with cities yet to be built.
A Different Way to Fix California's Affordable Housing Crisis
To fix California’s housing crisis, a statewide mandate is needed that requires 20 percent of all new housing, rental units, and those for sale be set aside for low-income families, according to affordable housing developer Murtaza H. Baxamusa.
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When Is a Bus Lane Warranted?
Efficient and equitable urban roadway management favors higher value trips and more space-efficient modes over lower-value trips and space-intensive modes. This can justify bus lane networks in most major cities.
Friday Eye Candy: Map Shows Every Job in the United States
Looking for granular illustrations of the details of local economies? Look no further.
Friday Funny: John Oliver's Takedown of Public Money for Professional Sports Stadiums
HBO's John Oliver wants cities to do one thing when professional sports teams come asking for public money to build new stadiums: "Make them pay!"
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Resources for the Emerging Field of Urban Science
As city planners we are increasingly recording, measuring, and organizing city data—a practice known as urban science. Learn about resources across the globe helping to better understand our cities.
Mayor Emanuel Would Freeze TIF Districts in Downtown Chicago
Mayor Rahm Emanuel proposed a plan that would save $250 million for schools and city operations at the cost of one of the city's most powerful funding mechanisms.
Tyler Technologies
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
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.
