The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Three yellow excavators at a road construction site with elevated roadway in background.

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.

October 30 - Governing

Department of Energy sign in front of modernist building in Washington, D.C.

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.

October 30 - Smart Cities Dive

White and red Cruise self-driving vehicle on a San Francisco street.

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.

October 30 - Smart Cities Dive

Straight black asphalt road through forest with colorful fall foliage.

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.

October 30 - Streetsblog USA

One cyclist rides on pedestrian bridge with foggy Austin, Texas skyline in background.

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.

October 30 - Yahoo News


White banner with red "SPACE AVAILABLE" text hanging at top of white office building.

Federal Agencies Update Rules to Support Office Conversions

New grant rules make it easier for local governments to acquire commercial properties for conversion to affordable housing.

October 30 - Route Fifty

Aerial view of Halifax Waterfront with people milling around on docks among yellow umbrellas and business patios.

Placemaking on the Halifax Waterfront

How small, incremental changes can create vibrant places.

October 30 - Happy Cities


Google Maps street view of McGuinness Boulevard, four-lane road in Brooklyn with green sign for I-278W to BQE and Staten Island.

New York Bike Lane Generates Confusion

A compromise road diet with “flex lanes” falls short of its promise.

October 30 - Curbed

Large blue metal dumpster container in front of wood-frame house under construction.

Bringing Circularity to the Construction Industry

Using more recycled materials could dramatically reduce carbon emissions and waste from construction projects.

October 29 - Bloomberg CityLab

Aerial view of Buckeye, Arizona with sunset sky.

Arizona Town Looks for New Water Sources, Insists Development ‘Full Steam Ahead’

While many Southwest cities are looking for ways to conserve water and limit growth as water supplies become strained, one town is pressing ahead with rapid development.

October 29 - The Guardian

D.C. Metro System

Impending ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Could Doom DC Transit’s Dramatic Improvement Efforts

Without additional funding, the region’s transit agency could be forced to reverse key changes that have improved service in the past year.

October 29 - TransitCenter

Close-up of offshore wind turbine with other turbines in background.

Three Offshore Wind Projects Coming to New York State

Gov. Kathy Hochul approved more than 20 renewable energy projects that will deliver 12 percent of the state’s energy needs by 2030.

October 29 - WSHU

View of windy road in Marin County and Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco skyline in background at sunrise.

California State Law Calls on Coastal Regions to Create Resiliency Plans

Cities and counties at risk of flooding and erosion from sea level rise can access state funding to implement coastal resiliency plans.

October 27 - Bay City News Foundation

View of Minneapolis freeway with downtown skyline in background with light traffic at golden hour.

Twin Cities Commutes Faster Than Pre-Pandemic

Workers who have returned to in-person jobs are still experiencing less traffic congestion than in 2019.

October 27 - Axios

View of palm tree-lined boulevard in Miami, Florida with white PT Cruiser driving by.

Florida to Adopt ‘Safe System’ Traffic Safety Approach

The concept focuses on road design and policy that reduces the likelihood of severe injuries and deaths.

October 27 - WUSF

Buckhead, Atlanta

Atlanta Approves Funding for 500 ‘Micro’ Housing Units

The city is promoting quick-build, low-cost solutions to stem the homelessness crisis.

October 27 - Urbanize Atlanta

View of San Francisco from top of hill with Victorian houses in foreground.

San Francisco Required to Change Restrictive Housing Approval Policies

State agencies want the city to speed up its alarmingly slow permitting process.

October 26 - KQED

Yellow bus shelter with one young person sitting on bench at night.

Study: How To Make Transit Safer

A new report recommends boosting ‘ambassador programs,’ improving reliability and frequency, and supporting more anti-harassment initiatives.

October 26 - Streetsblog San Francisco

Blue and white Throne portable bathroom in an outdoor location.

Public Restroom Pilot Launched at Three LA Train Stations

The city’s transit stations are notoriously devoid of restrooms, shade, and other amenities while riders face long waits.

October 26 - Mass Transit

Photo of Goat Blocks development, Portland, Oregon with five-story brick building and wide concrete staircase.

FEATURE

Goat Blocks: A Blueprint for Urban Placemaking and Walkability

How one development harnesses placemaking tactics to build community at the street level.

October 26 - Jason Roberts

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Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

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The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

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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.