The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Does the 'Playable City' Improve the 'Smart City'?
Conceived as a counterpoint to the "smart city," the "playable city" would think beyond efficiency and utility in applying technology to the urban experience.
The Texas-Sized Impact of the 'Prior Appropriations' Water Management System
Christian McPhate and Ashlea Sigman provide a thorough and insightful read about the environmental impacts of Texas' water management policies, especially along the Brazos River, a drought-stricken water supply that cuts across the state.
Louisville's Portland Neighborhood Showing First Signs of Gentrification
A few high profile galleries and cafes have recently chosen to set up shop in the working class neighborhood of Portland in Louisville, and local investors have plans for more change in the working class neighborhood.
Mudslinging over Parking Apps in San Francisco
A San Francisco city attorney spokesman used some colorful language in response to MonkeyParking's recent act of defiance against the city.
Op-Ed: Stop Demonizing the Suburbs
Jacquielynn Floyd writes an op-ed for the Dallas News in which she defends the suburbs from the "demonization" of "new urbanism."
AIA Gold Medal Conferred to Julia Morgan, FAIA, at the 2014 AIA Convention
On the occasion of Julia Morgan, FAIA, AIA Gold Medal conferral, AIACC invited Sandhya Sood, AIA, to present a tribute.
Proposed River Bed Bike Path Would Connect Long Beach to Downtown Los Angeles
The Los Angeles City Council asked city engineers to explore an proposal that would close an 8.5-mile gap in a bike path that runs inside the Los Angeles River channel—connecting Long Beach to Downtown Los Angeles.
New 'Gold Rush' in Pittsburgh: Luxury Housing
Alina Dizik details what it takes to find a luxury home in the evolving Pittsburgh real estate market.
Updated Plans for Chicago's Memorial to Daniel Burnham
A planned memorial for Chicago architect and planner Daniel Burnham got an upgrade this week in the form of a proposed 1.6-mile interactive walking path and new materials for the site of the memorial.
Six Years Later—More Revisions for Washington D.C.'s Zoning Code Update
None of the original team that began working on Washington D.C.'s zoning code update are still working on the project. Much has changed in the six years that have expired.
New Maps Compare Travel Times by Mode
Want to know the fastest way to get where you're going? You Are Here has created a new visualization tool that shows you the fastest mode for your trip in 11 cities.
Friday Eye Candy: Historic Visualization Tracks U.S. Growth from 1790 to 1890
The visualization has something for everyone: a colorful visualization of population trends for the data geeks, a vintage look and feel for the hipsters, and the competitive aspect of comparing cities to each other for everyone else.
A Bad Year for State Transportation Funding
Compared to 2013, few states are increasing transportation spending through tax increases. Only New Hampshire and Rhode Island saw limited gas tax increases, though both were accompanied by road or bridge toll eliminations. Missouri could be next.
Delayed, Expensive, and Poorly Planned—D.C. Streetcar Called 'Worse than Nothing'
In January, Washington D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray claimed that the district's new streetcar would open in February. Still not open, the D.C. City Council this week slashed future streetcar spending.
Biking as a Late 19th Century 'Emblem of Women's Rights'
Writing for The Atlantic, Adrienne LaFrance details how the bicycle paved the way for many liberating political advancement for women.
Kern County Adopts Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy
Amanda Eaken details Kern County's new Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS). The new plan implements California's SB 375, which serves as the land use component of California's carbon emissions reductions goals.
Friday Funny: 12 Signs that Bring Humor to the Brooklyn Streetscape
There are other ways to grab attention, even if you don't have the cash to spend on a giant sign that says T-R-U-M-P above the Chicago River.
A PATH to Nowhere?
After it's first hearing, the PATH Act is not looking very promising to keep federal transportation reimbursements flowing to state DOTs late next month when the Highway Trust Fund is expected to approach insolvency. The one user fee was dropped.
Breaking the Carbon Emissions Cycle in the Transport Sector
Cracking the upward GHG emissions curve in the transport sector has proved exceedingly difficult. Research from Aalborg University in Denmark suggests that in some industrialized societies this may be changing.
Chicago Mayor Emanuel Pondering New Sign Regulations in Trump Fallout
Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced his intentions to create ordinances that would prevent future design controversies like the maligned Trump sign above the Chicago River.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
Tyler Technologies
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
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.
