The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Planning for Climate Change on the Shores of the Great Lakes

Two academic researchers explain the planning and landscape architecture opportunities offered by the "dramatic fluctuations" and "emergent shorelands" of the Great Lakes Coasts.

March 25 - Places Journal

First Look at the New Dallas Streetcar

In a private preview in anticipation of the April 13 system opening, a lucky few got a first look at Dallas' new, battery-powered streetcar.

March 25 - The Dallas Morning News

The New Neighbor in the Trendy Mission District: An Innovative Homeless Shelter

Thanks to a $3 million anonymous donation, San Francisco has built a first-of-its kind temporary shelter that will welcome homeless campers along with their belongings and pets.

March 25 - The Wall Street Journal - U.S. News

Georgia Could End LEED Ratings for State Buildings

The LEED green building rating system doesn't acknowledge lumber from the state of Georgia as sustainable, so one state lawmaker suggests throwing out LEED altogether. Critics call it throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

March 25 - WABE

Support for a Protected Bike Path Along Cleveland's 'Opportunity Corridor'

The unfolding saga of Cleveland's proposed Opportunity Corridor project has a new twist: community development organizations and bike advocates would like to add a protected bike path alongside the route.

March 25 - The Plain Dealer


Portland Parklet

The Economic Case for Converting Parking to Parklets

Emily Badger of The Washington Post Wonkblog writes about a new study showing the economic benefits of converting street spaces in front of storefronts to parklets. Other options for street spaces include bike lanes, bikeshare docks, and bus lanes.

March 25 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

Pittsburgh Launches $32 Million 'Envision Downtown' Initiative

The Envision Downtown Initiative will focus on street improvements to improve public interactions.

March 25 - Pittsburg Post-Gazette


Long Range Transportation Plan Released for St. Louis Region

The Connected2045 plan lays out a 30-year vision for transportation projects in the St. Louis region, with attention paid to access, the environment, freight movement, alternative transportation, neighborhood preservation, and safety.

March 25 - nextSTL

New York Unlikely to Receive Federal Support in Solving Housing Crisis

Crain's New York Business examines recent statements by New York Planning Commission Chair Carl Weisbrod about the need for federal support if New York is to hit its affordable housing targets.

March 25 - Crain's New York Business

Accessory Dwelling Unit

BLOG POST

The Trouble with Legalizing Illegal Units

The recent example of a dramatic rent increase in San Francisco may be less about loopholes in current housing laws and more about failing to consider all the implications of rushed legislation.

March 24 - Reuben Duarte

Without More Affordable Housing, Veteran Homelessness Will Return

Federal funding to end veteran homelessness has had a real impact, but a nationwide shortage of affordable housing could make its success temporary.

March 24 - Shelterforce

Groundbreaking for 'Plaza De Las Americas' Public Market Space in New York

New York City broke ground recently on the Plaza de Las Americas—a designed public space that will support market uses and pedestrian activity while replacing an existing roadway in the Washington Heights neighborhood.

March 24 - The Architect's Newspaper

Dallas Mulling Proposals for a Redesigned Fair Park

The future of Dallas is very much under consideration. Case in point: an effort to redesign and plan the 277 acres of Fair Park with the potential to offer improved public access to a critical area east of Downtown.

March 24 - The Dallas Morning News

MonkeyParking App Is Back—This Time It's Legal

The infamous MonkeyParking app that last year ran afoul of public sentiment and the law is back with a new business model that offers residents the chance to auction that most precious of commodities—urban parking space.

March 24 - San Francisco Magazine

Office Park

Tech Giants Bank on Growth, Acquire More Space

To provide room for long-term expansion, companies like Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn are buying up even more Bay Area real estate. Their flush cash reserves have them nudging out the traditional development and investment crowd.

March 24 - The Wall Street Journal

Second Gas Tax Increase Proposed in New Hampshire

New Hampshire gas taxes increased four cents last July after a lengthy gas tax debate, but those funds were targeted toward specific repair projects, as opposed to the DOT's annual budget, which will be cut by $88 million unless funds are found.

March 24 - Concord Monitor

Transit Rendering

Architectural Renderings Depict Only the 'Wired and Young'

John King shares his thoughts on modern renderings. In too many drawings a hipster cult of youth is normalized, and it threatens to paint regular folks and true nonconformists out of the picture.

March 24 - San Francisco Chronicle

Three Wise Mokeys

BLOG POST

Ask the Ethicist: What to Do When You Hear Internal Alarm Bells

The first in a new series by Planetizen: "Ask the Ethicist," featuring the advice of our resident expert: Carol D. Barrett, FAICP, author of "Everyday Ethics for Practicing Planners."

March 24 - Carol Barrett

Streets in Tysons, Virginia to Get Bike Friendly Makeover

Greater Greater Washington reports on the developing plans of county and state officials to bring multi-modal capabilities to Tysons, Virginia as part of an ongoing suburban retrofit.

March 24 - Greater Greater Washington

Voltage Transformer

Costa Rica Off Fossil Fuels for 75 Days and Counting

Kudos are in order for the Central American nation of Costa Rica. We suspect running your country without burning fossil fuels is its own reward, however.

March 23 - Science Alert

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