The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
The Return of ‘Catalog Homes’
Sets of pre-approved housing plans can lower construction costs, shorten timelines, and encourage more badly needed housing production.
Federal Loan to Support San Diego Desalination Plant Overhaul
The financing will go toward funding an updated cooling system and ensuring the protection of local marine life.
Seattle Bus Lane Cameras Capture Over 100,000 Violations
An automated traffic enforcement pilot program caught drivers illegally using transit lanes more than 110,000 times in less than a year.
The Joy of Walking
An essay meditating on the simple pleasures of a good walk.
Illinois Legislature to Consider Affordable Housing Tax Credit
A proposed tax credit could create thousands of new affordable housing units per year, its proponents say.
St. Louis Train Expansion Planning Receives Federal Funding
The Bi-State Development Agency received roughly $7.4 million for efforts to expand the city’s MetroLink train system.
Houston Mayor Rebukes Housing Authority on Tax Break Deals
The mayor sternly denounced the city’s housing authority for going forward with tax break deals that critics say don’t bring enough new affordable housing to the city and reduce tax revenue for local schools and utilities.
‘Train Daddy’ Andy Byford to Oversee Amtrak’s High-Speed Rail Efforts
Byford, who formerly ran NYC Transit and Transport for London, could bring renewed vigor to the agency’s plans to expand regional rail in the United States.
BLOG POST
The Pseudoscientific Foundations of Racist Planning Practices
Racist and colonialist narratives in old geography textbooks help explain the prevalence of segregationist and discriminatory policies and other nasty planning practices. It’s time to understand and reconcile.
Report Calls for ‘Sustained and Significant’ Investments in Affordable Housing
The National Low Income Housing Coalition’s annual report highlights the shortage of affordable and available housing units for low-income households.
FTA Announces Disaster Relief Funding for Transit
A $212 million program is aimed at helping transit agencies and cities affected by flooding, hurricanes, fires, and other disasters maintain transit operations and boost the resilience of their systems.
BLOG POST
Sprawl and Democracy
One common defense of pro-sprawl government policies is that government reflects the will of the people. But is this really true?
Opinion: How California’s Environmental Law Empowers NIMBYs
Critics of a new provision calling “social noise” an environmental impact say the law can too easily be co-opted by anti-housing groups to block new development.
Colorado Governor Wants to Preempt Local Zoning Control
Colorado could be the latest state, following Oregon and California, to legislate statewide preemption of local zoning codes to allow for more housing development.
PLANOPEDIA
What Is the Housing Choice Voucher Program?
Federal housing assistance vouchers subsidize the cost of rental housing, but high demand and long waiting lists mean many low-income families wait for years to access affordable housing.
The Cost of Driving Increasingly Out of Reach in the U.S.
New research stresses the importance of socioeconomic differences in U.S. transportation trends.
Florida Law Would Change the Definition of ‘Sprawl’
One quick way to build sprawl.
Rent Increases Highest for Lowest-Income Households
Renters at the lower end of the spectrum see no relief in sight as rent hikes remain stubbornly high.
A Dallas Architect Designs Statement Buildings With a Purpose
The Dallas Morning News’ architecture critic profiles one of the city’s most important current architects.
Biden Designates a New National Monument in West Texas
The Castner Range National Monument in West Texas is the second of two new national monuments announced by President Joe Biden this week.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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.
