The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Photo of google sign outside of google cafeteria

Why Google's 'Sidewalk Labs' Is Such a Big Deal

Earlier in June, Google announced the creation of an "urban innovation company" called Sidewalk Labs. One writer explains the genesis of the company as well as its potential for the future of how cities operate.

June 25 - Pacific Standard

11 of the Most Endangered Historic Places in the United States

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has announced the 2015 edition of its annual list of the most endangered historic locations in the United States.

June 24 - Next City

Seattle Mayor to Create New 'Office of Planning and Community Development'

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray announced the creation of a cabinet-level Office of Planning and Community Development to address the city's explosive growth.

June 24 - The Urbanist

Construction

Harvard Report: U.S. Housing Recovery Losing Momentum

The State of the Nation's Housing, a closely watched report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, was released to the public today.

June 24 - Joint Center for Housing Studies

University of Cape Town

BLOG POST

UN-Habitat Launches University Network Initiative

UN-Habitat's University Network Initiative (UNI) has launched a new web portal.

June 24 - Bruce Stiftel


A Small Hike in Oregon Gas Tax to Come at High Environmental Cost

Oregon may end its low carbon fuel standard, one of two in the nation, to increase the gas tax by four cents and implement a bevy of clean fuel alternatives to replace the three-month-old clean fuels program.

June 24 - The Oregonian

Is Boston Ready for Gold Standard Bus Rapid Transit?

Gold Standard is the term used by the Institute for Transportation & Development Policy to define world-class BRT service. A recently released ITDP study, underwritten by the Barr Foundation, argues for more Gold Standard service.

June 24 - The Boston Globe


Hospitals Scaling Up Along With Houston's Population

Houston's status as one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the country has not gone unnoticed by the healthcare industry.

June 24 - Houston Chronicle

Detroit's M-1 Rail Line Credited for Delivering Investment—A Year Before Opening

The 3.3-mile M-1 Rail line in Detroit has been described as a boondoggle of unparalleled proportions. Boosters of the project, however, have gathering evidence of investment in neighborhoods along the route.

June 24 - The Detroit News

Pittsburgh's Plan to Promote Diversity and In-Migration

Seemingly on the rebound after a 55-year decline in population, Pittsburgh is ready to move into a new era as an attractive destination for immigrants and a diverse population of residents.

June 24 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Philadelphia Rowhouse

Philadelphia's Rowhouse Remedy for Gentrification

Blessed with an innate resilience, Philadelphia's brick rowhouses risk disrepair and redevelopment. Local nonprofits are looking for ways to keep this resource equitable.

June 24 - Next City

One Way to Vision Zero: Reward Good Behavior

A simple, innovative idea behind Seattle's Vision Zero initiative: good driving behavior should generate more positive outcomes.

June 23 - CityLab

Cleveland Clears the Way for its First Parklet

Cleveland will soon have its first park let—thanks to the leadership of the nonprofit Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corp., the collective generosity of Cleveland Collectivo and more, and the approval of the Cleveland Planning Commission.

June 23 - The Plain Dealer

Columnist Reacts as Complete Streets Come to Lawrence, Kansas

A local columnist wonders if complete streets upgrades like the one on 31st Street in Lawrence, Kansas are the new future of roads.

June 23 - Lawrence Journal-World

School Sprawl

The Hidden Costs of Locating Schools on the Outskirts

St. Cloud, Minnesota is considering the question of whether to renovate or rebuild—and where to rebuild—a local high school.

June 23 - SCTimes

Has Fuel Efficiency Been Scapegoated to Avoid Raising the Federal Gas Tax?

Vermont's Transportation Secretary points to increased fuel efficiency as reason to look for an alternative revenue option, favoring Oregon's Road Usage Charge. Meanwhile, U.S. DOT reactivated its "ticker" to warn of funding cutoff after July 31.

June 23 - VPR

A Garden District Takes Root in Milwaukee

The 13th aldermanic district, located on the southeast side of Milwaukee, is working hard to back up its claim as the city's "Garden District."

June 23 - Urban Milwaukee

Bike Shed Netherlands

Faced With Flocks of Tourists—Town Will Charge for Bike Parking

Sausalito will charge for bike parking, instead of limiting the number of bikes entering the city's downtown, mostly from San Francisco by biking across the Golden Gate bridge and often taking a Golden Gate ferry back.

June 23 - Marinscope

Seattle Mixed Use Development

Seattle NIMBYs Protest Dense Development, Cite Eastern Bloc

A zoning bill has stirred up the fear that dense development projects will transform Seattle into a "Soviet cityscape." Residents accuse developers of using loopholes to squeeze in pricey, out-of-character townhomes.

June 23 - The Seattle Times

Houston Traffic

Houston Rethinks Mass Transit

For decades, Houston has experienced car-oriented development, giving little attention to other forms of transportation. In recent years, however, rapid population growth and increase in traffic congestion has the city revisiting alternate options

June 23 - Doggerel

Post News
Comprehensive Bikeway Design Workshop

Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University

Early Bird Deadline – save on your tuition fee!🚨

Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)

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.