The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Virginia Ties Clean Car Standards to California
The last obstacle to a 2021 bill linking Virginia’s emissions standards to California policy was defeated on a party-line vote in the state’s legislature, paving the way for a shift to electric vehicles.
Unreadable License Plates Led to Lost Revenue, Safety Concerns
In New York City, the rate of unreadable license plates caught on speed cameras rose in 2022, prompting concerns from safety advocates about scofflaw drivers.
FEATURE
The Responsibility of the Building to the Street
Structural engineers are responsible for ensuring that buildings do not fall over. Mechanical engineers must ensure that people inside can breathe. But what responsibility do building designers have to the street outside?
Oregon Toll Road Proposals Raise Cost, Equity Concerns
The state’s plan to implement tolls to reduce congestion and promote alternate transportation modes is facing some backlash as critics argue the revenue shouldn’t fund road expansion projects.
Inland Empire Cities Cry Foul on Light Rail Funding
Cities in San Bernardino County are questioning California state funding processes that failed to allocate any state dollars to an inland rail extension, opting instead to fund more ‘splashy’ L.A.-area projects.
Biden’s Renters’ Rights Blueprint: Meaningful or Not?
What should we make of the administration’s tenants' rights announcement?
Development Proposed Under Austin’s New Vertical Mixed-Use Law
A seven-story building will be exempt from local height regulations in exchange for providing affordable housing.
Chicago Transit Still Stumbling After Redesign
The city’s transit agency made changes to its schedules to make wait times more predictable and streamline services on the most popular routes, but riders are still experiencing headways longer than before the pandemic.
Atlanta Proposed Rail Line to Become Bus Rapid Transit
MARTA officials argue that bus rapid transit will be faster and more cost-effective than the originally proposed light rail option.
New York Housing Plan Emphasizes Zoning Reform, Transit-Oriented Development
Governor Hochul’s proposed housing plan features policies inspired by recent housing reforms in states like California, Massachusetts, and Utah.
Wales Cancels Major Road Building Projects
All road building and expansion projects are halted until they can pass strict new environmental requirements.
San Francisco Halts Tiny Home Project
Citing ‘absurd’ costs and community concerns, city supervisors are reevaluating a plan to build a ‘tiny home village’ for unhoused residents in the Mission District.
Tactical Urbanism Makes Strides in L.A.
A DIY urbanism group in Los Angeles has successfully prompted the city to install permanent crosswalks at dangerous intersections, despite the city’s insistence that the group’s do-it-yourself work is illegal.
New Plans for Transit Oriented Development in South Central L.A.
Los Angeles County recently adopted the Florence-Firestone Transit Oriented District Specific Plan.
Houston is Building a Record Numbers of Homes, but Housing Costs Still Rising
Despite a banner year in construction permitting, Houston area rents and home prices continue to grow.
BLOG POST
How to Build an Urban Planning Consulting Business
Urban planners seeking independence through consultancy have an equal likelihood of success as a longstanding business. Here's how to get started.
Michigan Planning for Affordable Housing Production
Housing affordability is on the political agenda in Michigan.
Creating a Meaningful Community Input Process in Baltimore
Seeking to avoid the mistakes of the past, the city undertook a robust community engagement process when planning the reconstruction of the Baltimore & Potomac Tunnel.
Study: More Affordable Ride-Hailing Can Fill Mobility Gaps for Low-Income Households
Many low- and moderate-income Americans use ride-hailing services to reach essential destinations, but few find the services affordable.
Bay Area Towns Weigh ‘Infantilizing’ Proposals to Avoid State Housing Mandates
In another desperate bid to avoid rezoning for affordable housing, some Bay Area towns are pushing housing for developmentally disabled adults as an alternative—but the proposals are likely illegal, disability rights advocates say.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
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.
