The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Opinion: Voters Deserve to See the Draft ‘One Seattle’ Plan
Despite a promise to release a draft comprehensive plan update in April and with elections in less than a week, Seattle residents are still waiting to see the city’s proposal for how to guide development in the next decades.
Converting a Freeway Lane to a Toll Lane: No Easy Task!
The San Mateo County Transportation Authority wants to extend its new express toll lanes north to the San Francisco border. The two build options are widening Highway 101 or converting an existing lane in each direction. One is essentially illegal.
In Praise of the Endangered ‘Third Space’
The public spaces where people can spend time among strangers without buying something are crucial to healthy cities—and are quickly disappearing.
How Urban Design Impacts Public Health
With more and more people living in cities, designing equitably healthy urban spaces becomes a key question for policymakers.
The Life and Death of American Dams
Many of the nation’s largest dam projects are reaching the end of their useful lives, helped along by nature.
More Cities are Shifting to Demand-Based Curb Parking
Largely used for free car parking, urban curb space is becoming a more precious commodity.
Sydney Could Automate Traffic Lights to Prioritize Buses
The proposal is part of the government’s bid to increase transit ridership and make bus service faster and more reliable.
State Trust Lands Offer Opportunity for Affordable Housing
Western states that hold millions of acres in land trusts are working to turn some of them into affordable housing.
Regional Government Reform on the Ballot in Houston
If Proposition B passes, Houston and other populous areas could gain more voting power in the region’s metropolitan planning organization.
Seattle Needs More Railcars
Sound Transit needs more cars to accommodate its ridership, particularly during special events and peak times.
A Look at San Antonio’s Upcoming Rapid Bus Line
A new bus line will bring some of the benefits of bus rapid transit, connecting the city’s airport and downtown.
FEATURE
Contested Property: Haunted Houses and the Anxiety of Ownership in America
Sometimes home becomes a place of fear for the least supernatural reasons.
Austin Text Alert System Caters to Unhoused Residents
A new emergency text message alert system will provide information specific to the needs of homeless people during extreme weather events.
Ohio Suburb Reenvisions Car-Oriented Shopping Center
Garfield Heights wants to transform a 1960s complex nestled in a sea of surface parking into a walkable, mixed-use development.
Crosswalks Near NYC Schools More Dangerous Than Average
A child and a crossing guard were killed in school crosswalks within one week as the NYPD cuts crossing guard jobs.
Report Evaluates Equity in Federal Infrastructure Grants
The report indicates that large formula funding programs tend to support the status quo, reinforcing car-centric planning and inequitable spending patterns.
Department of Energy Moves to Improve Grid Interconnections
Adding new renewable energy projects to local grids can take an average of five years, slowing the process of reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Cruise Suspends Driverless Operations, Waymo Pushes Ahead
While Cruise is pausing all of its autonomous services in a bid to “regain public trust,” Waymo, via Uber, will begin offering autonomous rides in Phoenix.
Study: Road Design, Speed Key Factors in Pedestrian Deaths
A recent study emphasizes the importance of good road design and low speed limits in keeping pedestrians safe.
Texas Awards $345 Million for Bike and Pedestrian Projects
The investment is six times as much as the Texas Transportation Commission made available in the last call for projects.
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.
