The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

$55 Million Overhaul Proposed for Memphis' Central Station

A transformative project is in the works for the South End neighborhood of Downtown Memphis.

March 30 - The Daily News (Memphis)

Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Connection Due On Time, Under Budget

The thing of legend will come to pass: the TriMet Portland-Milwaukie light rail construction project is expected for delivery on time and between $10 and $40 million under budget.

March 30 - Progressive Railroading

Seattle skyline

Out-of-State Migrants Flock to Seattle's King County

During the year 2014, a record number of people chose to make their home in King County, Washington. And 2015 may shape up to shatter last year's record.

March 30 - The Seattle Times

Debating the Trinity Toll Road Proposal in Dallas

Dueling op-eds argue the controversial Trinity Toll Road proposal.

March 30 - The Dallas Morning News

Op-Ed: Time to Take Planning Power Back from Communities

In light of the current housing crisis, argues Stephen Smith, the community-based land use controls created as a response to urban renewal policies of the 20th century should be for forfeited to more development friendly political forces.

March 30 - New York YIMBY


Chicago El

Congressional Bill to Expedite Transit Oriented Development

Cory Booker has introduced a railroad bill that will, among other things, expand financing for transit-oriented projects near train stations. The new law would also make it easier for TOD developers to apply for federal loans.

March 30 - Smart Growth America

Ticky tacky

Suburbs Come Roaring Back

For nearly a decade, the narrative of the move back to the city has held sway in American life. But newly analyzed Census data indicate that the presumed death of the suburbs may have been premature.

March 30 - The Washington Post - Blogs


Billboard pepsi

Op-Ed: Transportation Assets Should Generate Revenue

Scott Rawlins argues that public-private partnerships could help transportation departments turn assets into income streams. Underutilized land and data are two areas of interest.

March 30 - Governing

The Huge Potential for Passive Buildings in the Big Apple

In NYC, unlike most areas in the United States, buildings, rather than transportation, are the major source of carbon emissions. Passive buildings, with their negligible heating and cooling costs, could help meet carbon reduction goals.

March 30 - The New York Times - Real Estate

Chicago Bikers

Chicago Sources River Ideas from Citizens

The Metropolitan Planning Council of Chicago wants to get in on the recent upswing in crowdsourced planning solutions. They are looking to the public for input on the Chicago river system's future.

March 29 - The Architect's Newspaper Blog

Santa Monica

Report: Coastal Los Angeles Will Likely Remain Unaffordable

Los Angeles home prices have long since skyrocketed above median income. A report by the Legislative Analyst's Office shows how difficult it would be to build L.A. out of its predicament.

March 29 - Curbed LA

North view

Urban Farming Gains a Foothold in Houston

Operated by a pair of brothers, Finca Tres Robles is one of several Houston farms coaxing fresh produce from unused urban land. Increasingly, urban farmers compete with developers for space.

March 29 - OffCite

Metro Light Rail Crash and Derailment Near USC in Los Angeles

Two cars of a three-car Metro Exposition Line train derailed after hitting a compact car in Los Angeles: 21 hurt; train operator and motorist critically. Service was disrupted for thousands of people headed to an international soccer game at USC.

March 29 - Los Angeles Times - L.A. NOW

Hartford Connecticut

Nontraditional 'Family' Questions Hartford Zoning Code

After a group of unrelated adults bought and moved into a large house in Hartford, Connecticut, they were found to be in violation of local regulations. They are asking for a broader definition of 'family.'

March 29 - WFSB

Homeless sleeping

Report: Which American Cities Are the Most Unequal

According to Brookings, this research is intended to inform local debates over the minimum wage. Drawing on Census data, the report finds that astronomical income gains are still concentrated among the biggest cities.

March 28 - Brookings Institution

Slab City

Slab City May Not Be Forever

A longtime colony for independent spirits in the California desert, Slab City may soon face mass eviction. A potential response by the community has its denizens divided.

March 28 - New York Times

Dusk High Rises

Designing the Shadow-less Skyscraper

Architects at NBBJ in London have designed a building—two buildings rather—that work together to cancel out the shadows they cast.

March 28 - Wired

San Francisco MUNI's New Competition (in the Marina District, at Least)

Live in the Marina District and work downtown or SoMA? You now have more transit choices thanks to two new startups, Chariot and Leap. Think of the two private shuttle services as Google buses for the public, except they are not quite so large.

March 28 - Ars Technica

Mobile Phone

BLOG POST

Create Your Own Mobile Planning App

Ever wonder how you could create your own mobile app. This blog post shares tools that make it possible for planners to create apps, along with an example of Chip-In, an app focused on harnessing volunteer resources in communities.

March 28 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

A Tribute to Donald Shoup: Retiring from UCLA This Summer

Embedded in an article celebrating the career of Donald Shoup, so-called "parking guru" who has had an outsized influence on contemporary planning thanks to the arguments laid out in "The High Cost of Free Parking."

March 27 - UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs

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