The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

How D.C.'s 11th Street Bridge Will Transform Infrastructure into Civic Space

Across the US, cities increasingly view waterfronts as opportunities for green space. Once tied to industrial uses, river fronts now offer a chance to repurpose existing infrastructure for public use.

October 17 - The Planning Report

Keeping Cities in the Dark

There's a third dimension to sprawl: all those photons that emanate from street lights, houses, and vehicles. As author Paul Bogard discusses in The End of Night, light pollution is an overlooked menace that presents a new frontier for planners.

October 16 - California Planning & Development Report

Ambitious Plans for 'Core to Shore' of Oklahoma City

An ongoing planning effort in Oklahoma City would revitalize a neighborhood adjacent to the city's downtown core long neglected by bad planning.

October 16 - Streetsblog USA

Touring Buffalo's Neglected East Side

Recent investment in Buffalo, New York has been celebrated in the press and the city as a renaissance after decades of decline. But rising tides don't always lift all boats. A recent article describes a unique effort to call attention to the divide.

October 16 - The Guardian (UK)

Underfunded, Deadly Road Infrastructure in Texas

Bloomberg News investigates a rash of road deaths in the Midland-Odessa region, attributing the fatalities to underfunded road infrastructure, increased population, and truck traffic. A November ballot measure may provide some relief.

October 16 - Bloomberg News


Fracking's Formidable Foe

The worthy foe is not environmental regulations nor the the government or public demanding fracking moratoriums and bans. It is the falling global price of oil. Two radio reports explore how the global glut of oil affects U.S. shale oil production.

October 16 - NPR

Another Call for the Legalization of Los Angeles Street Vendors

Mark Vallianatos outlines the legal history and vehemently supports Los Angeles' estimated 10,000 street vendors selling everything from fruits to frozen treats.

October 16 - The Los Angeles Times


The Middle Class Fights for Survival in Lima, Ohio

An article surveys Lima, Ohio's long-term residents, politicians, and economy to weave a narrative tracing the ups and downs of the shrinking small town.

October 16 - Rolling Stone

In Defense of Uncertainty in the Development Approval Process

While streamlining and anti-NIMBYism are in vogue, Murtaza Baxamusa reminds us what's really at stake.

October 16 - UrbDeZine

New Jersey Cities Work Together for Waterfront Park on the Hudson River

Linh Tat reports on the opening of a new waterfront park created and maintained by two New Jersey cities: North Bergen and Guttenberg.

October 16 - North Jersey

Young Driver

Millennials Are in Motion, But Not Necessarily by Car

A new report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group and Frontier Group shows mounting evidence that the Millennial generation’s dramatic shift away from driving is more than temporary. Planning must change to accommodate these demands.

October 16 - Millennials in Motion: Changing Travel Habits of Young Americans and the Implications for Public Policy

Public Meeting

Poll: What are the Most Important Skills for Planning Staffers?

In the second in a series of posts, PlannersWeb recently posted the results of a poll asking: "What are the skills you’ve found most important in serving on a planning commission?"

October 15 - PlannersWeb

Tysons Corner

D.C.'s New Metro Line Already Influencing the Suburbs

The Silver Line opened two and a half months ago. Already, with strong ridership in both directions, some businesses are seeing new opportunities.

October 15 - Elevation DC

California Cities Still Navigating Redevelopment Dissolution

Two and a half years after California shuttered its redevelopment agencies, cities are still grappling with the repercussions—from resolving the legal obligations of CRAs to searching for alternative methods of revitalizing areas in need.

October 15 - The Planning Report

DC Nightlife

Why Millennials Drive Less: Many Possibilities, Few Answers

Millennials are less likely to get driver's licenses, they tend to take fewer, shorter car trips, and they use alternative modes of transportation more than their predecessors. The question for the ages is why.

October 15 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

Chicago Considers Raising Parking Taxes to Pay for Potholes

In need of 80 additional employees to keep up with the city's pothole repair deficit, Mayor Rah Emanuel is proposing that the city raise taxes parking.

October 15 - Chicago Sun-Times - Politics

Cincinnati's First Cycle Track Overcame Controversy, Now Open for Bikers

The Central Parkway Cycle Track is open in Cincinnati, having overcome the controversies that almost led to the project's demise.

October 15 - Urban Cincy

A Comprehensive Accounting of Economic and Environmental Performance: Who's in?

For the last several decades, North American cities have used growth as a primary economic engine. Increasingly less dense new growth is subsidized by the more dense core, but requires a growth rate that is not supportable in the long term.

October 15 - PlaceShakers

An Ancient, Neighborhood-Based Technology could Heat Vancouver

A system similar to that which heated Roman baths could become a key cog in the future of heating in Vancouver, British Columbia.

October 15 - Citiscope

What Next for 'Rebuild By Design'?

The Rebuild By Design competition attracted plenty of hoopla thanks to its $920 million and the critical need for projects that protect coastal cities as sea levels rise. Now that the winners have been picked, how will they deliver on their promise?

October 15 - The Architect's Newspaper

Post News
Comprehensive Bikeway Design Workshop

Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University

Early Bird Deadline – save on your tuition fee!🚨

Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)

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.