The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

CTtransit bus driving through snowy street in Norwalk, Connecticut

Connecticut’s Ends Fare-Free Pilot

State officials say federal requirements forced the end of a twelve-month pilot program, and that the state doesn’t have the funding to continue providing free fares with the end of federal assistance.

April 20 - Connecticut Public Radio

A large, four-story apartment building is surrounded by grass and concrete walkways.

The Dividing Line Between Good and Bad Density

Not all density is good, according to the participants at recent event hosted by the Congress for the New Urbanism’s District of Columbia chapter, and examples of new developments cross the line all over the world.

April 19 - Public Square: A CNU Journal

A highway sign reads with directions to reach San Francisco to the north and San Jose to the south--both on Highway 101.

101 Freeway in California Slower Than Ever After Widening, Locals Say

Induced demand strikes again.

April 19 - Streetsblog SF

People on bikes ride along paved Atlanta BeltLine bike trail

BeltLine Construction Projects Delayed

Atlanta officials say delays in relocating fiber lines are slowing construction on the walking and biking trail.

April 19 - Urbanize Atlanta

Highway Construction

Federal Report: Highway Construction 50 Percent More Expensive Than in 2020

An FHWA index that tracks the costs of highway building shows a sharp increase in materials and fuel costs.

April 19 - Eno Center for Transportation


Aerial view of freeway cutting through green forest in Clayton County, Georgia

Study: Transit Cuts Can Increase Poverty, Unemployment

An analysis of Clayton County, Georgia, which lost access to public transit for five years, shows a significant increase in unemployment rates and poverty during that timeframe.

April 19 - Governing

Aerial view of Eel River running through California forest

The Nation’s Most Endangered Rivers

An annual list from American Rivers highlights the waterways most at risk from climate change, poor water management, pollution, and other dangers.

April 19 - American Rivers


White public bus on street in Baltimore, Maryland with brick buildings in background

Maryland Assembly Passes ‘Fair Fares Act’

If signed by the governor, the act will halt a scheduled fare increase previously tied to inflation.

April 19 - Greater Greater Washington

Richmond skyline with multistory parking garage and office buildings.

Richmond Poised to Repeal Parking Minimums

The city’s planning commission recommended that the city council eliminate parking mandates that limit housing production and increase housing costs.

April 19 - Richmond Times-Dispatch

People walking on a sidewalk in front of the Seattle Art Museum, which have the hammering man and a skyscraper in the background, Washington, USA

Seattle Downtown Plan Focuses on Public Safety, Programming

The mayor issued a 12-point plan for improving safety, developing services for people struggling with addiction, and revitalizing downtown spaces.

April 18 - Crosscut

Natural gas stove with blue flame

Berkeley’s First-in-Nation Natural Gas Ban Overthrown by Court Ruling

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Berkeley does not have the power to mandate electric hookups in new development because a federal rule preempts the local regulation.

April 18 - Bloomberg Law

Close-up of woman drinking boba bubble tea through straw

Boba as a Symbol of Identity and Culture

The Chinese American Museum in L.A. currently features an exhibit exploring the drink’s journey from the cassava root in South America, to the tapioca balls in the Taiwanese confection, and back to the U.S. as a symbol of Asian American identity.

April 18 - KCRW

Person on subway platform holds phone and looks toward track

Transit Agencies Could Lose Access to Twitter Updates

Twitter announced it would start charging for access to its API, which many transit and government agencies rely on to provide real-time service updates.

April 18 - Bloomberg CityLab

Front yard landscaped with native plants and flowers

Opinion: The Time for ‘Yard Reform’ is Now

Replacing lawns with native plants and grasses saves water and improves biodiversity, but some cities make the practice illegal.

April 18 - Next City

View of wide residential street in Dallas, Texas neighborhood with one white car parked at the curb and large tree with yellow fallen leaves around it

Texas State Bills Would Let Cities Lower Speed Limits

The proposed legislation would give cities the ability to reduce neighborhood speed limits without having to produce expensive traffic studies.

April 18 - The Dallas Morning News

Portland Transit

Opinion: Improving Transit More Important Than Free Fares

More investments in high-quality transit service coupled with income-based discounts could offer a better way to boost ridership and help low-income riders.

April 18 - Route Fifty

Cyclists of All Ages Enjoy a Sunday Morning Ride on the Neuse River Trail.

The East Coast Greenway Is Stitching Together a 3,000-Mile Trail Network

The ever-evolving greenway connects biking and walking trails from Maine to Florida.

April 18 - Reasons to Be Cheerful

A sign reads “State Fishery Area Public Easement Open to Fishing.” In the background is a stream surrounded by snow on the ground in a natural setting.

PLANOPEDIA

What Is an Easement?

There are limits to the rights and powers associated with land ownership. Easements are a critical example of how property rights can be balanced with the needs of neighbors, the public, and other interests external to the control of property owners.

April 17 - James Brasuell

White gazebo among green plants and trees at botanical garden

Garden Transforms Trash Into Works of Art

South Coast Botanic Garden highlights the importance of sustainability through its latest exhibit which consists of 16 giant creatures made from beach debris that washed ashore.

April 17 - South Coast Botanic Garden

Denver, Colorado skyline with park and lake in foreground and mountains in background

Denver Residents Lack Transit Access to Local Parks

Despite an early plan to run rail lines to the city’s mountain parks, they are not easily accessible to Denverites without cars.

April 17 - Colorado Public Radio

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