The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Closed Ontario Schools May Be Transformed Into Community Hubs
Schools are part of, and even anchor communities. Good planning requires schools as part of "Complete Communities". Until this proposal is adopted, school boards often close schools due to funding or liability. This is a possible step forward.
A Call for Long-Term Federal Transportation Funding
When Congress recently failed yet again to pass a long-term surface transportation bill, Representative Earl Blumenauer decided it was time for a reality check.
Another Study Shows That Narrow Is Safer Than Wide for Traffic Lanes
Better Cities & Towns gives its imprimatur to the "narrower is better" approach to lane width for traffic safety thanks to a study by Toronto transportation planner, Dewan Masud Karim, presented at the Canadian ITE annual conference.
Lesson from Seattle: Zoning Is a Political Debate, Not a Policy Debate
The swift rejection of a proposal to upzone residential neighborhoods in Seattle inspired The Urbanist to evaluate the lessons of the episode. One takeaway: don't demonize single-family homeowners.
On the Ballot: $700 Million in Bond Funding for Roads in Houston's Harris County
The legacy of sprawl in and around Houston has forced local officials to seek $700 million in bond funding (part of an $848 million bond package) to pay for road improvement projects.
Stays in Vegas: Six Neighborhoods Considered for National Register of Historic Places
A city famous for reinventing by any means necessary is looking to preserve some of its history.
Still Waiting on the Universal Fare Card for U.S. Transit Systems
Some people dream of jet packs, others dream of using a smartphone to navigate between transit systems and modes without needing to stop to buy a new fare card.
Car2go Expands to Queens: Last Mile Solution or Congestion Nightmare?
With a track record of success in Brooklyn, Car2go is expanding its service to Long Island City and the rest of western Queens. An article in Crain's examines the implications of the move.
Portland's Tilikum Crossing—Open to All but Cars—Attracts a Throng on Preview Day
The first bridge in the country to allow all forms of traffic except for cars opened for a public preview over the weekend. Tens of thousands of Portlanders showed up to enjoy the bridge.
S&P Report: Man-Made Earthquakes Are Bad for Credit
The credit rating agency Standard & Poor's released a report that raises the threat level on the trend of earthquakes in areas around Oklahoma and Texas.
Oregonians Slow to Adopt the New OReGO Road Usage Charge
All eyes are on Oregon as it rolls out its road usage charge program, known as OReGO. So far Oregonians have been slow on the uptake.
How Politics Poisoned U.S. Public Transportation
Vox brings out the subtleties in explaining the underperformance of the U.S. public transportation system.
New Auto Restrictions On San Francisco's Market Street Go Into Effect Today
Private autos will have restricted access to a congested stretch of downtown San Francisco's main drag, Market Street, beginning August 11, in an attempt to make the street safer for non-motorists.
California's Largest Dam Removal Underway in Monterey County
Even in an epic drought, the long-awaited commencement of the $83 million San Clemente Dam removal project is welcomed as the obsolete dam posed a safety threat to downstream communities and provided very little water due to tremendous silt build-up.
What Makes a Planner an Urban Scientist?
Among other traits, science-minded planners must seriously reflect on what it is they know about their field, seeking good reasons and solid evidence for why they accept those things, writes Jodie Sackett, a Los Angeles County urban planner.
Is Los Angeles Ready for Mobility 2035?
The rhetoric is heating up as Los Angeles considers its most significant upgrade to transportation policy since 1999.
Remember That Katrina Cottages Thing? Whatever Happened to That?
Katrina Cottages held such great promise 10 years ago, as an alternative to FEMA trailers. But a host of roadblocks stood in the way. After a decade, has the tiny house time arrived?
Wealthy Suburbs Flout Illinois' Affordable Housing Mandate
The state of Illinois finds itself without a "stick" to enforce the mandates of its Affordable Housing Planning and Appeals Act. Towns have noticed and are flouting the law.
Critiquing the UN's Sustainable Development Goals
Much to the chagrin of Americans of conservative political stripes, the United Nations has adopted a set sustainable development goals. According to a recent op-ed, however, the left also has reason to fault the UN's efforts.
$1 Billion Master Planned Community Moving Forward on the Ohio River
A suburb of Cincinnati provides evidence of renewed demand for master planned communities.
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
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.
