The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Washington Road Safety Bills Fail to Advance
Several bills aimed at reducing traffic deaths fell by the wayside in the state legislature, despite the growing rate of road fatalities.

California Growth Report: Housing Up, Population Down
Good and bad news can be found in the most recent demographic report from the California Department of Finance. The population dropped by nearly 140,000 last year while housing grew at the highest rate in 14 years.

Las Vegas Doubles Down on Elon Musk and the Boring Co.
The Clark County Commission wants more Teslas in more tunnels.

Chicago-St. Louis Corridor Trains Cleared for 110-mph Speeds
Amtrak has final federal approval for train speeds of 110 miles per hour between Joliet and Alton, culminating almost ten years of planning and investing.

Study: Housing Assistance Programs Not Enough for Rural Renters
Many housing and human services providers say their programs are underfunded as the housing crisis in rural parts of America grows.

Examining Philadelphia’s Zoning Overlay Districts
A decades-old policy allowing hyperlocal zoning exemptions and restrictions creates a confusing patchwork of zoning regulations across the city.

Germany Launches €49 Nationwide Transit Pass
The low-cost monthly ticket is a boon for some commuters and urban travelers, but critics of the program question the lack of investment in expanding train service to underserved rural parts of the country.

Takin’ it to the Streets: Streetsblog USA’s Kea Wilson Chats With The Planning Commission Podcast
The Streetsblog USA Senior Editor discusses the state of transportation in America, hopes and dreams for the infrastructure bill, and how we already have the tools to address climate change and traffic safety without electric or autonomous vehicles.

The Precarious Future of American Transit
The author of ‘The Great American Transit Disaster’ explains how U.S. transit agencies got to the existential crisis they face today.

Washington Cities Balance Housing Development and Tree Canopy
Cities like Seattle and Bellingham are working to increase housing density while also preserving urban trees and green spaces.

Chicago Bike Share Expands Citywide
Divvy is now available in all 50 wards, with more stations and bikes planned for the system in the next two years.

Austin Employs Team to Help Residents Avoid Displacement
The city’s new Displacement Prevention Navigators will conduct outreach and assist with finding resources to help cost-burdened residents at risk of losing their housing stay in their homes.

Atlanta Set to Make Historic Affordable Housing Investment
Public and private funding pledges could inject $300 million into affordable housing initiatives in the metro Atlanta area.

New York Bike Census: More Bike Lanes, Please
Cyclists across the state resoundingly called for more safe bike infrastructure and trails, citing a lack of bike lanes as a top reason for not riding more.

Baltimore Sets Guidelines for Permanent Parklet Program
With pandemic-era parklet regulations set to expire on June 30, the city is launching a new, permanent set of guidelines for outdoor dining and other uses of curbside space.

Anti-Displacement Measures for Brownfield Developments
A series of reports published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Smart Growth America highlights tools and policies that can help mitigate displacement pressure when recovering and developing brownfields around the United States.

The City Beyond Amazon's ‘Great Return’
In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe explains how, as the Amazon (and other) “Great Returns” to the office unfold, it's essential to dig deeper.

Oregon Transit District Suspends Service Indefinitely
Facing a budget deficit, the Sunset Empire Transportation District ended its services on Sunday, leaving transit-dependent riders with few options.

How Self-Driving Cars Are Integrating—or Not—Into the Urban Fabric
As they become more common on some U.S. streets, autonomous vehicles are impeding emergency response operations and blocking traffic, idling in neighborhoods, and defying law enforcement.

Tennessee Approves Toll Lanes as Part of Transportation Package
Despite decades of resistance to tolling highway lanes, the Tennessee legislature passed a bill that authorizes the creation of ‘choice lanes.’
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