The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

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

Critiquing the Missouri Department of Transportation's Funding Agenda

Without the sales tax it desired to fund state transportation spending in place, the Missouri Department of Transportation is moving forward with a new plan called the Missouri 325 System.

January 22 - nextSTL

New 'Infrastructure Financing District' Proposed for Los Angeles River Improvements

Los Angeles officials are hoping to create an "Infrastructure Financing District" (i.e., tax increment financing) to help finance ambitious goals for revitalizing and restoring the Los Angeles River.

January 22 - Los Angeles Times

Street With No Sidewalk

Should a Residential Street Ever Lack Sidewalks?

You're probably familiar with the sight of a long, quiet residential street unadorned by sidewalks, pushing pedestrians, pets, and kids on bikes onto the street. Is there ever a good reason for such a typology?

January 22 - Greater Greater Washington

Snowplow

Pittsburgh Launches GPS-Enabled Snow Plow Tracker

Pittsburgh has a new web-based portal for residents to track snow removal operations as they happen. It's the latest example of a city allowing public access to the details of city operations during snowstorms.

January 22 - CityLab

Strategic Plan for Philadelphia Land Bank Gains Approval

By all accounts, the Philadelphia Land Bank has completed a high quality strategic plan to guide its actions over the coming years.

January 22 - PlanPhilly

Land Swap could Bring Obama Presidential Library to Chicago's South Side

Chicago is putting the pieces in place to land the Obama Library. One proposal hinges on the availability of parkland on the South Side near the University of Chicago.

January 22 - Chicago Tribune

Critiquing Gov. Cuomo's LaGuardia Airtrain Proposal

LaGuardia lacks an AirTrain, unlike the two other airports that serve the New York City area, so public transit access is available via Queens and Manhattan buses. But would a $450 million proposal by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo remedy the problem?

January 22 - the transport politic

Disparate Impact: A Texan's Perspective

It’s important to remember, as the Texas disparate impact case reaches the Supreme Court of the United States later this month, the actual people who bear the brunt of Texas' history of housing discrimination.

January 22 - Rooflines

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Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

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The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

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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.