The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Billings, Montana (Pop. 109,058) Planning for Growth
Mike Ferguson reports on the process of updating the growth plan—working title "Beyond Billings"—for the city of Billings, Montana.
Renters Are Not the Problem
A few weeks ago, Alan Mallach asked the question, "do urban neighborhoods need homeowners?" Tony Roshan Samara challenges his answer.
San Antonio Set to Become Fifth-Largest U.S. City
The city may grow by 200,000 in the next two years, surpassing Philadelphia and Phoenix, if city leaders agree to annex five surrounding unincorporated areas. The Wall Street Journal considers the effect of annexation on meeting inner city needs.
An App to Help the Visually Impaired Use Transit
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, working with the University of Massachusetts Amherst, is testing an app that will help the blind navigate Arlington Station in early 2015. The app will eventually be free to use throughout the system.
Op-Ed: Put Chicago on a Road Diet
"The city should consider road diets for all streets with excess car capacity, although they're not always politically easy," writes John Greenfield.
The Role of Stadiums in Urban Revitalization
Los Angeles Dodger Senior Vice President of Planning and Development Janet Marie Smith reflects on her efforts to breathe new life into downtowns through sports stadiums.
The Never-Built Legacy of New York's Tech Firms
A big picture explanation, with case studies, of why New York's newest wave of commercial businesses won't leave their mark on the city like it might have in the past.
Last Minute Gift Ideas for the Plannerd in Your Life
For those searching for gifts for the "plannerds" in their life, Los Angeles County planner Clement Lau comes through with some ideas sure to bring good tidings.
Big Cities Make Pedestrian Safety a Priority
New data released Dec. 19 by NHTSA shows increased safety for those traveling by car, but pedestrian fatalities are 15% higher than in 2009. Plans by San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago to increase ped safety are described by the WSJ.
San Francisco Chronicle Takes a Deep Look at Gentrification in the Mission
A feature series by the San Francisco Chronicle explores the challenges of gentrification at what some might consider ground zero of gentrification in the San Francisco Bay Area—the Mission.
What Would it Take to Build a Tram Network the Size of Melbourne's?
Melbourne, Australia, is fortunate it inherited the largest tram network in the world, because building something like it today—say in a city such as Sydney—would be extraordinarily expensive and difficult.
$4 Billion Plan for Intermodal Connections to LAX Moves Forward
Southern California is in the process of undoing the decades of planning that has left LAX isolated and inaccessible except through an ocean of congestion and frustration. Plans to connect the airport to the region recently gained critical approval.
Resort and NBA Arena Proposed for the Las Vegas Strip
A developer hopes to bring more of a Times Square feel to the Las Vegas Strip—and maybe an NBA team will follow.
Montreal to Tear Down Elevated Bonaventure Expressway
The city of Montreal announced final plans to tear down an elevated highway and replace it with an urban boulevard.
Michigan Voters to Decide on Transportation Sales Tax
The Michigan legislature compromised on a plan to raise money for state transportation funding. Instead of increasing the fuel tax, voters will consider an increased sales tax that exempts the fuel tax.
A Gentrification Timeline—50 Years in the Making
Next City is running a special feature that provides a timeline of events of significance to society's concept of gentrification.
Trends in Master Planned Communities
Urban Land magazine gathered a panel of developers from around the country to discuss current trends in master planned communities—they all agree that consumers want communities in line with the ideas of new urbanism.
Branding, Operating Details Approved for Cincinnati Streetcar
Several important details of the Cincinnati Streetcar came into focus in recent weeks. Included is a component of the operating agreement that will take advantage of rising property values in funding the system.
A New Era of Skyscrapers in New York
New York magazine examines the latest wave of skyscraper development in New York City for the possibility that they might embody the highest outcomes of form and function.
Washington Governor Proposes Cap-and-Trade to Fund Highways
After a failed attempt to increase the fuel tax, itself a form of carbon tax on gas and diesel sales, Gov. Jay Inslee seeks to use revenue from carbon permits purchased by stationary sources in a new cap-and-trade program to pay for transportation.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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.
