The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Otay Mesa Port of Entry building at U.S.-Mexico border

San Diego Region Plans for Rail Expansion, New Border Crossing, More Bike Lanes

The budget proposed by the San Diego Association of Governments focuses on a new port of entry, expansion of the regional bikeway system, and mitigating coastal erosion.

May 18 - San Diego Union-Tribune

White electric tranasit bus plugged into a charging station

Flaws in Federal Clean Transit Programs

Two programs designed to help transit agencies shift to electric and zero-emission fleets contain rules that could slow the adoption of zero-emission vehicles.

May 18 - Transportation for America

Late evening view of downtown Minneapolis skyline with stone bridge in foreground

Minneapolis to Begin Environmental Review in Response to 2040 Plan Lawsuit

After environmental groups sought to stop the city’s ambitious comprehensive plan, Minneapolis is looking for ways to resume its implementation.

May 18 - Minneapolis Star-Tribune

View from street level looking up at high-rise apartment building with multi0floor garage at bottom in Austin, Texas against blue sky

Austin as a Model for Parking Reform

The Texas capital’s new parking law signals a shift in thinking about the relationship between land use, transportation, and housing affordability.

May 18 - Streetsblog USA

Wide asphalt road with "North Route 1" sign

Virginia DOT To Reduce Speed Limit on Richmond Highway

The Alexandria-to-Mount Vernon corridor has one of the highest crash rates on the roadway.

May 18 - Greater Alexandria Patch


A person’s thumb hovers over the Twitter app on a smart phone.

FEATURE

Is Twitter Still an Effective Planning Tool?

Twitter has been a daily dose of drama and upheaval ever since Elon Musk offered to pay over $40 billion to buy the social media platform. Media outlets and public transit agencies had been abandoning the social media platform—should planners?

May 18 - James Brasuell

A picture of the Vermont State Capitol building with fall colors on display on trees in the background.

Vermont Next State in Line to End Single-Family Zoning, Ease Parking Requirements

Both houses in the Vermont Legislature have approved legislation to preempt local land use regulations by rescinding single-family zoning and easing parking requirements throughout the state.

May 18 - VTDigger


New York City Air Conditioners

In Defense of Rent Control

Rent control policies, widely panned by economists, have been shown to slow displacement and keep housing affordable.

May 17 - The American Prospect

Aerial view of mobile home park next to freeway in Mesa, Arizona

Arizona Zoning Reform Bills Would Protect Mobile Home Residents

Three proposed bills would increase flexibility in zoning and encourage affordable housing production, particularly near light rail.

May 17 - Arizona Mirror

Freeway toll booth with "Stop" and "Pay Toll" signs

Houston Tollway Could Get Transit Options

Officials will assess multiple options for increasing capacity on a key route between downtown Houston and southwestern communities.

May 17 - Houston Chronicle

Lakefront homes in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan

Federal and State Dollars Could Be Used to Force Change in Exclusionary Towns

Strict zoning policies keep housing unaffordable. But there are strategies governments can implement to change exclusionary housing policies and promote the construction of more affordable housing.

May 17 - Shelterforce Magazine

Graphic with photo of Amy Stelly superimposed on image of Claiborne Expressway elevated freeway in New Orleans, Louisiana

Healing a Neighborhood: Amy Stelly’s Efforts to Tear Down the Claiborne Expressway in New Orleans

Amy Stelly’s childhood dream was to remove the highway that devastated her neighborhood. Now that those efforts have gained traction, institutional biases remain as much of a barrier to neighborhood healing as the highway itself.

May 17 - The Planning Commission Podcast

View of homes nestled among green trees with Columbus, Ohio skyline in background

When a Land Bank Starts a Land Trust

An Ohio land bank adds to its developing power through a community land trust.

May 17 - Shelterforce Magazine

Pastoral landscape painting by Thomas Cole depicting pre-colonized idyllic scene

BLOG POST

Planning for a Post-Climate World

A series of 19th century paintings that illustrates the rise and fall of empire highlights the limits of growth.

May 17 - Gabriel A. Ramos AICP

Ellis Island is shown across the water of the New York Harbor.

New York Suspends Land Use Reviews for Shelters

The Adams administration in New York City will relax the review process for homeless shelters to create new space for arriving asylum seekers.

May 17 - Gothamist

U-Haul moving van parked by a curb in San Francisco with mattress leaning against it

More People Are Leaving Coastal Cities

Rising housing costs and the growth of more urbanized, amenity-rich small metros are driving college-educated workers away from “superstar cities.”

May 16 - The New York Times

Rendering of pedestrian and bike bridge over multilane road

Seattle Area to Get Three New Pedestrian Bridges

Three major connection projects are slated to open in the next year, bringing a comprehensive regional bikeway network one step closer to reality.

May 16 - The Urbanist

Bay Area Rapid Transit

California Could Cut Transit Spending Even as Systems Struggle

Governor Newsom’s proposed budget would cut over $2 billion from transit infrastructure funds.

May 16 - Bloomberg CityLab

Solar panels on roof of grey residential building

HUD Announces Grants for Efficiency Retrofits in Multifamily Housing

A new program will fund solar panels, heat pumps, and other measures aimed at reducing emissions, improving air quality and resident health, and reducing heating and cooling costs.

May 16 - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

CoGo bike share station with black bikes in front of Columbus City Hall, Ohio

Columbus Launches E-Bike Rebate Program

The Ohio capital will offer rebates for residents purchasing e-bikes as part of its goals to reduce carbon emissions and encourage active transportation.

May 16 - Axios

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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.