The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Colorful "atx" sign in front of Whole Foods store in Austin, Texas

Austin Could Reduce Minimum Lot Sizes

In an effort to increase housing production and bring down housing costs, the city council approved a resolution calling for reduced lot sizes and higher density in single-family neighborhoods.

July 24 - The Architect's Newspaper

Close-up of hand holding charging cable moving toward charging port on electric car.

Road Funding Options: The Alternative to the Alternative

The inverse relationship between electric vehicle sales and gasoline tax revenues has caused the federal government and many states to investigate mileage fees as an alternative funding option to fuel taxes. Iowa is going a different route.

July 24 - Clean Energy Districts of Iowa

View of George Washington Bridge between New York and New Jersey again sunrise or sunset sky

NJ v. U.S. DOT: Cordon Pricing in Manhattan

The State of New Jersey filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation on Friday to halt the Manhattan cordon pricing project approved in June by the FHWA, charging that they violated the National Environmental Protection Act.

July 24 - NJBIZ Journal

The exterior of the Hawaii state capitol building.

Hawaii Governor Wipes Away Regulatory Barriers to Housing With the Stroke of a Pen

The governor of Hawaii is using emergency powers to remove barriers to housing construction.

July 23 - Honolulu Advertiser

Interstate 605 in Los Angeles with green freeway signs and light traffic

L.A. Freeway Expansion to Move Ahead, Sans Displacement

The 605 freeway expansion project was expected to demolish hundreds of homes and multifamily buildings.

July 23 - Streetsblog LA


Traffic on the George Washington Bridge between New York City and New Jersey

New Jersey Takes New York to Court Over Congestion Pricing

The state is suing to stop New York City’s proposed congestion pricing program, which New Jersey Governor Philip Murphy says would unfairly penalize Garden State residents.

July 23 - The New York Times

Apartments for rent signage

Opinion: Rent Control Works

A dozen arguments for why rent control is effective and necessary in the current housing crisis.

July 23 - Jacobin


Close-up of rental application laying on table with green pen laying across the paper

White House Targets Landlord ‘Junk Fees’

The administration is urging states to more heavily regulate application fees, administrative fees, and other often hidden costs imposed on renters.

July 21 - Marketwatch

Snow covers a sidewalk and small homes on a Chicago street

Chicago Approves Sidewalk Clearing Pilot

The new program will develop plans for keeping sidewalks clear of snow and ice to improve accessibility.

July 21 - Streetsblog Chicago

White shuttle bus picks up passengers in Zion National Park, red cliffs and mountains in background.

Improving Transit Access to Parks and Trails

Too often, national parks and other recreational spaces in the United States are difficult or impossible to access without a car. Some parks are working to change that.

July 21 - Streetsblog USA

Sunset view of downtown Gainesville, Florida

Gainesville in Final Discussions on Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance

A see-saw battle over land use and housing policy continues in the city of Gainesville.

July 21 - Main Street Daily News

Ai generated image of greenway with transit line adjacent

AI and Downtown Recovery: Missing the Mark in Seattle?

In his fourth GeekWire article on downtown recovery, Chuck Wolfe reviews the use of AI imagery in a section of the Seattle Downtown Activation Plan and suggests how it may have missed the mark.

July 20 - GeekWire

Maricopa County, Arizona

Phoenix Could Ease Parking Requirements to Support Transit, Affordable Housing

In addition to lower citywide parking requirements on residential properties, a proposed law in Phoenix would lower minimum parking requirements even further for affordable housing developments near the city’s light rail system.

July 20 - Arizona Central

A conceptual rendering of a bus stop and bus-only lane on a downtown street.

Land Use Changes Could Improve Walkability Along Bus Rapid Transit Corridor in Denver

Denver councilmembers are proposing an overhaul of land use regulations along a long stretch of East Colfax Avenue—the route of a planned Bus Rapid Transit line expected to open in 2026.

July 20 - Denverite

Blurred image of people shopping at night market

California Bill Would Streamline Permitting for Farmers’, Night Markets

The state currently has no unified process for night markets and other recurring events, making it difficult and costly for organizers.

July 20 - Governing

Blue and yellow light rail train at station in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Transit Ridership Surges in Minneapolis

The city’s transit agency is reporting high rates of return to transit, aided by college students and Taylor Swift fans.

July 20 - Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Rendering of Trinity Mills TOD project in Dallas, Texas with 5-story office building, park space, and residential multifamily units

Largest TOD in North Texas Breaks Ground Near Dallas

The mixed-use complex features over 400 housing units, offices, retail, and park space.

July 20 - CultureMap Dallas

Sepia-toned photo of flooded street with residential home

Chicago Flood Mitigation Scrambles to Keep up With Climate Change

The city’s geography and the growing intensity of storms due to climate change are making it difficult for local officials to prevent neighborhood flooding and wastewater spills.

July 20 - Governing

Four-story white L-shaoped apartment building with small parking lot in front in Edina, Minnesota

FEATURE

Nonprofit Affordable Housing Developers Navigate Troubled Waters

As housing and building costs rise, nonprofit developers find themselves with strained resources as pandemic relief dries up and tenants need housing assistance more than ever.

July 20 - Dr. Eric Anthony Johnson

A conceptual rendering of a bus station station with two bus-only lanes running in the street.

Bus Rapid Transit Plans Scrapped in Tacoma

A planned bus rapid transit (BRT) line known as “Stream” will have to move forward in some new, as-yet-unplanned form in Tacoma, Washington.  

July 19 - The Urbanist

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