The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Report: Cities Not Yet out of the Fiscal Woods
A report by the National League of Cities finds that although fiscal conditions are improving for most cities, they have a long way to go to achieve full recovery amid a sluggish economy.
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How Often Do Cities Mandate Smart Growth?
A recent Mercatus Institute paper addresses the frequency of minimum density regulations, maximum parking requirements, and similar regulations.
Following Tragedy—A Call to Fully Fund the Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund
Following the murder of a 12-year-old homeless child in Louisville, Beverly Duncan writes an editorial calling for Louisville Metro Council members to fully fund the Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
Progress for Cook County's Long Range Transportation Plan; Funding Questions Remain
Chicago's home county this year launched its first transportation since 1940. Initial outreach efforts have produced a draft vision statement and four planning scenarios.
How 'Just Green Enough' Adds the Equity to 'Green'
A Fast Co. Design article explains the "just green enough" concept as advanced by Jennifer Wolch, dean of the College of Environmental Design at the University of California, Berkeley.
The New Traffic Forecast: Modest Growth, then Decline
Clark Williams-Derry shares news of what he calls "far and away the most responsible official traffic forecast I’ve seen from any government agency, ever."
Calling on Urban Designers to Lead the Fight Against Climate Change
Alan G. Brake writes an editorial calling on the architecture and urbanism fields to push even further to reduce carbon emissions by designing (and upgrading) efficient buildings.
Obituary: William J. Ronan, Founder of New York's MTA
One of the most important officials in New York State transportation history died Oct. 15: William J. Ronan, who took on Robert Moses to form the country's largest, most diversified transportation agency, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Attention C-Suite: Place Matters
Mark Murro urges executives to further explore and understand the concept of "return on ecosystem" achieved by locating in particular, well situated places.
Report Collects and Shares Lessons from New York's Land Banks
Practical lessons and best practices will be helpful in empowering land banks to curb the spread of blight, foreclosures, and abandoned properties.
Plans to Close D.C. Homeless Shelter Relies on the Generosity of Landlords
Can a $52 million plan to close the D.C. General emergency shelter rely on the generosity of landlords in providing houses for the homeless?
Intersection Designs that Prioritize Pedestrian Safety
Following the idea that pedestrian safety takes its cues from planners, Rachel Dovey's article on pedestrian safety lists six intersection designs that "actually prioritize pedestrians."
Big Ideas Drive 'planOKC' Effort in Oklahoma City
One of the country's largest cities has been growing quickly and will continue to grow—how is Oklahoma City planning for the future?
A Conservative Argument against 'Suburban Primacy'
Charles Marohn argues against the staunch conservative defense of suburbs (famously voiced by Joel Kotkin) by showing how suburban development falls short of conservative ideals and cities, on the contrary, embody them.
Going Viral, but Not in a Good Way
Republicans and Democrats have connected failures to control spread of Ebola to the other guys’ actions. We’re requiring stressed-out bureaucracies to perform out-of-the-box with zero tolerance in arenas of mind-boggling complexity.
APA Seeking Input for Updated 'Planning for Sustainability Policy Guide'
The American Planning Association (APA) is seeking input for an update of the 2000 Planning for Sustainability Policy Guide.
An Evolving Houston Plans for its Future
Houston is preparing for a new wave of population growth by preparing a comprehensive plan. The question is what kind of city Houston wants to be.
The Incredible Climate Mitigation Potential of Compost
Research has shown that the world's largest land use, grazing, holds enormous potential when linked with composting, to dramatically reduce the carbon content of the atmosphere through sequestration while concurrently restoring degraded rangeland.
Eight Ways Planners Can Rest and Rejuvenate
Few people escape on-the-job stress, but LA County Planner Clement Lau has some tips for his cohorts designed to help them recover from the pressures of work.
The New Transit User Fee: Real Estate Rent
Driven by a need to meet growing costs amid unstable federal subsidies, metropolitan transit agencies are eying their properties, particularly parking lots, as money makers from new residential and commercial development.
Tyler Technologies
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
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.
