The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

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

Aerial view of Uniroyal Promenade site on East Riverfront in Detroit with wide paved walkway along river and shaded pavilion at left.

New Riverfront Promenade Opens in Detroit

The East Riverfront now provides 3.5 miles of contiguous parks and trails on the formerly industrial waterfront.

October 26 - Urbanize Detroit

Row of five white chairs set against a blue wall with a round white analog clock. Clinic waiting room.

The Messy Politics of Saving Lives from Drug Overdoses

Philadelphia was on the verge of approving a key harm reduction strategy to prevent fatal drug overdoses until the city council all but banned supervised injection sites, overriding a mayoral veto. A New York Times report explores the controversy.

October 26 - The New York Times

Rendering of outdoor dining patio design for New York City street.

NYC Releases Outdoor Dining Designs

New guidelines for the city’s ‘streeteries’ are set to go into effect next April.

October 26 - Curbed

Pedestrians in busy crosswalk with tram in background in downtown Toronto, Canada with sunrise or sunset light in background.

Report Stresses Links Between Housing and Transit

A Canadian report calls for a more holistic approach to housing development policy and transportation planning.

October 26 - Mass Transit

White and red Cruise autonomous car on San Francisco street with concrete Brutalist-style building in background on grey, rainy day.

California Grounds Cruise Autonomous Fleet

In the wake of serious pedestrian injuries and a federal investigation, state agencies have barred the driverless taxi company from continuing to operate.

October 25 - CALmatters

Rendering of cabin-style accessory dwelling unit with green trees in background.

Salem, Oregon Offers Pre-Approved ADU Plans

The city hopes the free plans will streamline the permitting process for homeowners and help spur more housing construction.

October 25 - KOIN6

Bike lane in Boulder, Colorado with tall concrete barrier separating it from vehicle lanes and one cyclist passing by.

Boulder Bike Lane Barriers First in Nation

The Colorado city will install concrete barriers to physically separate bikes from vehicle lanes.

October 25 - City of Boulder

High view of high-rise buildings in downtown Fort Worth, Texas.

Fort Worth Passes Affordable Housing ‘Roadmap’

The new plan recommends strategies such as legalizing ADUs and creating a land bank for affordable housing development.

October 25 - KERA News

Close-up on map of Toledo, Ohio.

Wielding Data to Fight Freeway Expansions in Toledo

A group of resident advocates is challenging the Ohio Department of Transportation’s arguments in favor of a proposed interstate widening.

October 25 - Strong Towns

People, cars, bikes and buses traveling through a busy intersection on 5th Avenue and 23rd Street in New York City with shining sunlight background.

BLOG POST

When it Comes to Vehicle Travel, Less is More

Motor vehicle travel provides many benefits, but also imposes large costs on users and communities. With better planning people can drive less, rely more on non-auto modes, enjoy more access, and be better off overall as a result.

October 25 - Todd Litman

Post News

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.