The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Report: Improving Food Deserts Doesn’t Improve Health Outcomes
A new study published in the February issue of Health Affairs presents evidence that providing fresh food in food deserts does not improve diets or health outcomes for residents.
Feds Allow ‘Next Generation’ Vehicle Safety Technology
By allowing the use of a new vehicle safety communication system called V2V, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are hoping to protect drivers without overstepping privacy boundaries.
Behold the First-Ever Regional Transit Map of New York
For anyone not a fan of the Seattle Seahawks, the best result of this year's Super Bowl might have been the first-ever regional transit map of New York.
Barrio Logan Community Plan's Political Rift Deepens in San Diego
The city of San Diego adopted the Barrio Logan plan a few months ago, provoking a successful movement to place a referendum on a future ballot. The city’s mayoral race could hinge on the issue, with large military contractors as political donors.

Ranking the '10 Most Exciting Suburbs'
Ranking suburbs on metrics of excitement? That’s a zesty response to the suburb-bashing parlance of the times, and the Movoto Real Estate Blog has done just that.
In Transit, Is Better Station Architecture Worth the Cost?
Do transit stations with sleeker designs boost ridership? Evidence suggests that the answer may be yes. But does that mean that we should spend limited transit funds on better architecture?

Bike and Pedestrian Infrastructure Financing Bill Introduced in Congress
Rep. Albert Sires (D-N.J.) introduced the New Opportunities for Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Financing Act of 2014 (H.R. 3978), modeled on TIFIA, to promote investment in bike and pedestrian facilities to make streets safer for all modes.
‘Mass-Transit Super Bowl’ Not-So-Super for Attendees
With parking limited around the stadium for yesterday’s Super Bowl, attendees relied on the New York region’s transit system to get to and from the game. After months of worry about the weather, mass transit was the Least Valuable Player on game day.

How to ‘Not Be a Gentrifier’—Oakland Edition
As an urbanist, it can be easy to think of gentrification as a macroeconomic trend or a collection of data points, not as an individual experience. A community organizer in Oakland would like to bring the issue home for the city’s newcomers.
After Tornadoes, Towns Plan for the Future
Dealing with the scars left by past tornadoes, towns like Greensburg, Kansas, have involved the community in planning efforts to rebuild and reimagine the future.
Millennials—Saviors of St. Louis?
Writing more than just a defense of the urban proclivities of Millennials, Alex Ihnen argues that starting with Generation X, young people have saved St. Louis from death by contraction.

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The Pluck of Dawn Zimmer
Planners can learn a lot about the havoc money unleashes on otherwise benign development plans from the moral fortitude displayed by Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer.
Wrestling with the ‘D’ Word (Density)
There are few hot buttons in planning conversation like the word “density.” One writer in San Diego claims that the breakdown inspired by the term originates from concerns with cars, not buildings.
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See-Saws, Circles, and Narrative Fallacies
A minor word of caution on statistical inference and the stories it can tell
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The Roots of Snowmageddon
Last week, many Atlantans were stuck in traffic overnight because of fewer than three inches of snow. What went wrong?

8 New Jobs City Hall Needs Now
City Hall isn't what it once was. Here are eight new positions that your local government should be hiring for this year.

Bridge Redesign a Victory for Pedestrian, Cycling Advocates
In Los Angeles, months of agitation by pedestrian and bicycling advocates have finally paid off.
Stayin’ Alive: The life and death prospects of community ties
Connected communities aren't just about fun and frolic. When the goin' gets rough, they can make the difference between life and death.
Tax and Borrow Plan Advanced by Delaware Gov. Markell to Fund Transportation
The 10-cent gas tax hike the governor proposed would only meet Delaware's transportation needs half-way. Gov. Markell also endorsed borrowing $50 million a year, matching the additional gas tax revenues. Combined, DelDot's debt load would be reduced.
Behind the Scenes of Philly's New Land Bank Law
In Philadelphia, an alliance of unusual suspects worked together to convince the city to create the land bank. The law isn't perfect but the new land bank will significantly improve the city’s vacant property process.
Pagination
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
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.