The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Global Suburbanisms: Beyond the White Picket Fence

With more people gravitating toward cities than ever before, new urban morphologies are proliferating throughout the world. Arup Connect's Sarah Wesseler talks with Roger Keil of York University about challenges facing global suburban development.

March 16 - Arup Connect

Affordable Housing a Hot Election-Year Topic in Nashville

As affordable housing and its related challenges—gentrification, preservation, and displacement, for example—become more challenging in Nashville, candidates in the city's 2015 race must take a stand on the issue or risk alienating voters.

March 16 - The Tennessean

Legal Ruling a Major Setback for Chicago's Lucas Museum Plans

Greg Hinz reports on a high profile ruling that throws up a major obstacle for the proposed development of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Chicago.

March 16 - Crain's Chicago Business

Water Wars Follow the Race to Solve the Southwest's Drought

An op-ed in the New York Times provides a firsthand account of the growing concern over water in a state that has yet to set limits on its explosive growth.

March 16 - New York Times

Dearborn Street Bike Lane

12 Studies that Make a Case for Converting Parking to Bike Lanes

CityLab has complied a thorough guide of economic impact studies of bike lanes that provides a clear, visual case for removing parking spaces.

March 16 - CityLab


Crowd

On the Limitations of Density

Writing for FastCo.Design, Architecture Critic Inga Saffron provides a cautionary tale about density done poorly.

March 16 - Fast Co. Design

Utah on Verge of Hiking Gas Tax by 21 Percent

Just before adjourning for the year, the Republican-controlled Utah House and Senate settled on a compromise—increase the gas tax by a nickel; the first hike in 18 years. Gov. Gary Herbert, also a Republican, has indicated he will sign the bill.

March 16 - The Salt Lake Tribune


Kids on bikes

What Will it Take to Make People More Comfortable With Biking?

A new national survey gathers evidence about what it would take to convert larger numbers of people to the bike lifestyle.

March 15 - Streetsblog USA

Report: 2014 Carbon Emissions Down as World's Economy Grows

A recent report offers optimism that will world is making progress in the right direction to reduce carbon emissions.

March 15 - The Hill

Road Rage

On the Psychology of Road Rage

Few of us are fully immune from the effects of road rage. Psychologists are asking why driving can provoke changes in behavior—and how to avert them.

March 15 - Pacific Standard

If Rail Crossings Can't Be Grade Separated, Can They At Least Be Safer?

That's the question asked by legislation introduced after a Metro-North commuter train slammed into an SUV at a crossing in Valhalla, N.Y., killing six people. More than 200 people die annually in over 2,000 grade crossing crashes.

March 15 - Progressive Railroading

Study: Congestion Pricing Improves Traffic Safety

According to new research, London's congestion pricing program has improved traffic safety both in the cordoned city center and in the free adjacent areas. Although traffic is moving faster, fatalities have been reduced.

March 15 - The Guardian

Delivery Drone

How Drones Can Improve Planning and Design

In February, the Federal Aviation Administration released rules for the commercial operation of drones that were (to many observers) surprisingly business friendly. A landscape architect imagines the potential of drones for planning and design.

March 14 - ASLA The Dirt

Implementing Housing Vouchers for Veterans

A look at what HUD-VASH supportive housing vouchers can do, from the perspective of one of the agencies administering them.

March 14 - Shelterforce

Proposal Would Make an Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone for Santa Clara County

The county of Santa Clara is exploring the possibility of establishing an Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone—a relatively new land use incentive enabled by recent statewide legislation.

March 14 - Seedstock

Newark

American Dream for Sale: $1,000 for an Empty Lot in Newark

In a bid for revenue and rejuvenation, Newark is selling vacant lots for $1,000. Buyers promise to build a home and stay for at least five years.

March 14 - New York Times

Vancouver SkyTrain

BLOG POST

Public Transit Turning Point for Vancouver

Metro Vancouver is about to vote on a historic Transportation and Transit Plan, and an associated sales tax increase to pay for it. Will the citizens of this model transit Metro vote against a transit-friendly future? Canadian urbanists weigh in.

March 14 - Brent Toderian

Obituary: Michael Graves, Leading Post-Modern Architect

Michael Graves, founding principal of Michael Graves & Associates, who produced some of the world's most recognizable examples of post-modern architecture, passed away this week at 80 years old.

March 13 - The Oregonian

Change of Venue for Denver's Transit CEO: Los Angeles

Phillip Washington will leave his role as CEO of the Denver Regional Transportation District to take the same position at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

March 13 - Los Angeles Daily News

aerial view of downtown detroit showing lots of parking lots

Exploring the Unique Geography of Detroit

One of Detroit’s most defining modern characteristics—and most pressing dilemmas—is its huge amount of neglected and vacant land.

March 13 - Mapping Detroit

Post News
Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO

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.