The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Glass-topped conservatory building with bronze statue in foreground at Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden

Community Engagement at L.A. County Parks

The L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation is hosting over 60 public meetings in September to connect with the public and gather input to inform decision-making and resource allocation.

September 6 - Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation

Aerial view of Mesa, Arizona

Mesa General Plan Update Aims for Clarity, Accountability

The Arizona city’s once-a-decade update to its General Plan will clarify zoning boundaries left ‘fuzzy’ in its previous iteration.

September 6 - The Mesa Tribune

Bike on bridge in Minneapolis with skyline in background

Environmental Groups Win Court Battle Against the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan

A court ruling invalidated one of the most innovative comprehensive plans in recent memory, and now the city of Minneapolis must revert to its previous comprehensive plan.

September 6 - Star Tribune

White and red Tesla EV chargers in an open-air parking lot in Corsicana, Texas with Dairy Queen restaurant in background

Texas to Require Tesla Chargers at Stations

Companies that build EV charging stations will have to include Tesla chargers to be eligible for federal funding.

September 6 - Yahoo News

Dusk view of downtown Arlington, Virginia skyline

Arlington to Open Housing Voucher Waiting List

Despite a high need in the area, it’s been more than a decade since the Virginia city last opened applications for housing vouchers.

September 6 - DCist


View from a distance of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant on the coast n Japan

How Nuclear Energy Could Impact the Water Supply

Releasing contaminated water into the ocean or other water bodies could have severe, long-term impacts on drinking water supplies and aquatic life.

September 6 - Governing

Aerial view of Plant Vogtle Unit 3 nuclear unit

Georgia Makes Clean Energy History in U.S.

The first newly constructed nuclear power plant to generate electricity in the U.S. in over 30 years began operation in Waynesboro, Georgia on July 31.

September 6 - Georgia Power


Rendering of California high-speed rail train viaduct with arches

Tracking U.S. ‘Higher-Speed’ Rail Progress

Five projects are moving the United States forward on so-called “higher-speed” rail.

September 5 - The Washington Post

Young male Tule elk stands on green outcrop with lake in background in California

Celebrating California's Biodiversity

This year marks the fifth annual California Biodiversity Day, established in 2018 to celebrate and encourage actions to protect the state’s exceptional biodiversity.

September 5 - California State Parks

Los Angeles Protected Bike Lane

New Active Transportation Plan for Los Angeles County Announced

The new Active Transportation Strategic Plan (ATSP), announced recently by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, will be both aspirational and expensive.

September 5 - Los Angeles Daily News

Man painting "HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT" mural in black paint on bright yellow fence

BLOG POST

Public Opinion on Housing: A Deeper Dive

Surveys on housing show that Americans give pro-housing or anti-housing answers depending on how questions are asked. More consistently, they show that Black Americans and young people are more pro-housing than older whites.

September 5 - Michael Lewyn

A view from among the high0rises in Downtown Seattle.

BLOG POST

Capturing the Post-Pandemic City: The Power of 'Visual Prosecution'

Have you ever tried immersive photography to show how urban landscapes, with their ever-evolving stories, are changing post-pandemic? A three-time author of books about understanding the innate identities of urban places updates his perspective.

September 5 - Charles R. Wolfe

Housing construction in Austin, Texas

Austin Electeds Hope Site Review Improvements Achieve Affordability Gains

After receiving scathing reviews about the frustrations and inefficiencies of its site review process, Austin has contracted with McKinsey to begin the work of overhauling the process.

September 5 - The Real Deal

A collection of screengrabs showing the uses of the Met-Go on-demand transit app.

On-Demand Microtransit Proves Itself in Rural Virginia

Two Virginia transit companies launched pilot projects for on-demand microtransit services in 2021, spurring record growth in ridership as a result.

September 5 - The Virginia Mercury

A map of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system.

New Jersey Transit Extension Goes Back to the Drawing Board After Federal Reversal

The Federal Transit Administration rescinded a clearance it granted in 2007, and a planned extension of New Jersey light rail line will suffer the consequences.

September 5 - NorthJersey.com

View of field of blooming orange poppies in Antelope Valley, California

California to Invest $750 Million in 16 ’Jobs-Rich’ Areas

California is funding a sweeping package of investments expected to deliver big benefits in housing affordability and greenhouse gas emission reductions.

September 4 - California Department of Housing and Community Development

Court Ruling Overturns Texas’ ‘Death Star’ State Preemption Bill

The Texas government’s attempt to keep bluer local governments in check has been delt a setback by the state’s judicial system.

September 4 - Texas Tribune

Concrete building wth Department of Housing and Urban Development sign

HUD Updates Fair Market Rate Definition

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced two actions last week intended to expand the reach of federal housing voucher programs.

September 4 - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

SEPTA Bus

The Bus Revolution Has Been Revised in Philadelphia

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority went back to the drawing board with its Bus Revolution system redesign after an initial round of feedback completed earlier this year.

September 4 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Girl swinging on rope swing overlooking Los Angeles

Using GIS to Advance Park Equity and Prioritize Restoration of Degraded Lands

The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation uses GIS technology to identify priority areas for land conservation and restoration as part of its 30x30 plan to fight climate change and protect biodiversity.

September 3 - Esri Blog

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.