The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

How Economic Crisis Inspired Grassroots Organizations in Greece

Citiscope examines the organizing and volunteer efforts of citizens in Athens, Greece in response to the country's economic crisis.

January 25 - Citiscope

On New York's Shadow Transportation System: 'Dollar Vans'

The New Yorker has published an interactive feature in New York's shadow transit system—the network of so-called "dollar vans."

January 25 - The New Yorker

Commute

Peak Driving Record Shattered

So long 2007. Hello 2014. According to new DOT data, peak driving is no longer in the rear view mirror but ahead of us thanks to cheap gas getting even cheaper, the rebound effect, an improved economy, and warmer weather.

January 25 - The Detroit News

New Taxes could Drive up the Cost of Conservation in Maine

Maine trails only three states in total acreage of land protected by conservation. A new plan to end the property tax exemptions for nonprofits, however, could make that work much more difficult.

January 25 - Portland Press Herald

Community Gardens are Collateral Damage in New York's Affordable Housing Plans

Here's a head scratcher: in its ambition to meet the affordable housing goals of Mayor Bill de Blasio, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development has proposed the redevelopment of 15 community gardens on city-owned property.

January 24 - Brownstoner


How California's Cap-and-Trade Will Fund Affordable Housing

The innovative revenue stream known as California's cap-and-trade program is ready to take action by funding affordable housing projects.

January 24 - LA.Streetsblog

Chicago Transit Facing $36 Billion Capital Investment Shortfall

Chicago transit agencies are falling behind its needed capital investments. A new report estimates that the CTA, Metra, and Pace will need to spend $36 billion over the next decade to catch up.

January 24 - Chicago Tribune


Golden Gate Bridge Safety Measures Inspire Drivers to Speed

In more proof of how far perceived safety goes in establishing the speed of drivers, the California Highway Patrol is dealing with the unintended consequences of changes on the Golden Gate Bridge.

January 24 - San Francisco Chronicle

Not in my back yard

Are Millennials Different, or Just Delaying Homeownership?

Big, diverse, and a little bit different, the Millennial generation is often cast as the solution to—or the cause of—many of America’s housing challenges.

January 24 - Rooflines

Report: Global Metro Economies Reveal 'An Uncertain Recovery'

A new report by the Brookings Institution's Metropolitan Policy Program analyzes the growth of the world's 300 largest metropolitan areas.

January 23 - Brookings

Proposed Planning and Development Reorganization Stalls in Philadelphia

A drastic overhaul of the planning and development processes in Philadelphia is, at least for now, on hold so stakeholders can have more time to analyze the proposal.

January 23 - philly.com

Ugly L.A.

The Challenge of Re-Orienting Strip Malls for Transit

Bill Lindeke writes of the daunting urban design and planning challenge presented by America's post-war fascination with the strip mall.

January 23 - MinnPost

An Interactive Map of California's Urban Water Use

California has commenced new water use reporting requirements, which the Pacific Institute has compiled into an interactive map and database to provide accessible evidence about where the state's water goes.

January 23 - Pacific Institute

Nashville MTA Ends Bus Rapid Transit Plans

One of the more hotly contested transit projects in the country—The Amp bus rapid transit project in Nashville, Tennessee—is dead. Nashville MTA officials promise a new strategic plan for the future of transit in the city.

January 23 - WSMV

Chicago, IL

Urban Millennials Stuck in the Three Largest U.S. Metros

For a variety of economic reasons in addition to urban preferences, young people are not leaving the country's three major metropolitan areas: New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, and that's not good for the nation's economy nor the individuals.

January 23 - The Wall Street Journal

Mapping the Places Referenced by 224 State of the Union Speeches

If you're into place names and the history of presidential politics, we have just the map for you.

January 23 - The Atlantic

New York MTA Increases Transit Fares to Fund Capital Investments

The latest fare increase for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority comes against the backdrop of record ridership and a $15 billion funding gap for the system's five-year capital plan.

January 23 - New York Times

Friday Funny: Brooklyn Gentrification Gets the Saturday Night Live Treatment

A Saturday Night Live skit satirizes the change that has come to Bushwick, Brooklyn.

January 23 - Salon

Empire State Building Base

BLOG POST

High-Rises and Streetlife

The common claim that "high-rises kill streetlife" is often incorrect.

January 23 - Michael Lewyn

Does Limiting Rowhouse Expansions Preserve, or Prevent, Affordable Housing?

The Washington D.C. Zoning Commission is considering a proposal to limit the ability to convert or expand rowhouses. The proposed ordinance has provoked controversy about the effect of the law for the city's supply of housing.

January 22 - Washington City Paper

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.