The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

The main front entrance to the Asheville Mall, showing parking lot and cars.

Asheville reconsiders parking minimums as surface parking eats up over a third of downtown real estate

Housing advocates say parking requirements are unnecessary and induce sprawl.

June 16 - Asheville Watchdog

Graphic of two fists bumping each other with coins flying out of middle against orange and yellow backdrop.

FEATURE

Fisticuffs: The argument AGAINST fare-free transit

If a terrible bus becomes free, will it truly free you?

June 16 - Denis Agar

Amtrak Cascade train pulling out of station in Seattle, Washington.

Amtrak opens border preclearance facility for travelers entering US from Vancouver

The first-of-its-kind facility streamlines the border crossing experience, eliminating long waits.

June 15 - Transportation Today News

People rallying in front of government building in San Francisco holding "FUND TRANSIT!" sign.

BART approves 2027 budget with no cuts, banking on November ballot measure for new funding

The Bay Area transit agency hopes to move forward without service cuts or fare increases.

June 15 - Mass Transit

Unhoused person sleeping under a blue blanket on sidewalk next to European Union

Home prices in the EU rose 53% since 2015, threatening 'right to adequate housing'

More Europeans face homelessness as housing costs soar.

June 15 - Euro News


Brick buildings at Wellesley College.

Wellesley sues state over proposed housing on state-owned parking lot

The college town opposes a 180-unit development that it says creates too much density for the area.

June 15 - Smart Cities Dive

Red Coca Cola truck driving under elevated rail track in New York City.

NYC plans to route trucks through more neighborhoods as safety efforts stall

90% of freight enters New York City by big rig.

June 15 - StreetsBlog NYC


Book cover of The Lost and The Found by Kevin Fagan against blurred green background.

BLOG POST

The "vicious cycle of real estate mania" — and how we might find our way home

Book review: In "The Lost and the Found: A True Story of Homelessness, Found Family, and Second Chances," Kevin Fagan humanizes the housing crisis like never before.

June 15 - Jennifer Hiatt

View from behind group of people on bridge looking down onto crowd in front of Seattle Aquarium.

Seattle bans data centers for a year

The city council approved the measure after five 'mystery' projects raised concerns among residents and city leaders.

June 14 - The Cool Down

People ride bikes on street in San Francisco, California.

San Francisco's dissolved bike committee holds its last meeting

The bicycle advisory committee has been advocating for safer streets for over 35 years.

June 14 - Streetsblog San Francisco

LAPD SUV drives past homeless encampment lined up along street curb in Los Angeles, California.

HUD suspends federal funds for LA homelessness agency

HUD is freezing LA's access to Continuum of Care funds after allegations of fraud at the county's homelessness agency.

June 14 - CALmatters

Soccer fans walk around World Cup countdown event in plaza in downtown Toronto, Canada.

Airbnb investing millions to loosen rules ahead of World Cup

US cities hosting World Cup games all have regulations on short-term rentals, but none have created new rules to limit speculation and displacement during the World Cup.

June 14 - Next City

Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota skyline from street with tall red brick building with green top.

Minneapolis council proposes permitting framework for robotaxis

City leaders say they don't want to be left behind as Waymo and other companies eye the city for the expansion of self-driving fleets.

June 14 - MinneapoliMedia

Close-up on MBTA bus window with passengers looking out from seats in Boston, MA.

Boston extends successful fare-free bus pilot

The program began in 2021 and expanded later to include lines 28, 23 and 29.

June 14 - Boston Newsroom

White Waymo robotaxi on street in San Francisco, California with signs in Chinese visible in the background.

Luxury condo owners fight robotaxis in the most San Francisco conflict ever

Waymos parking in a condo building's garage are causing headaches as they get stuck and block other cars from exiting.

June 13 - The San Francisco Standard

Underground train platform with colorful mosaic wall with people pulling luggage at O'Hare Airport in Chicago, Illinois.

Costumed Chicagoans try to 'Catch That Train' in new viral trend

Residents are donning costumes and running to board CTA trains in a whimsical nod to the age-old problem of missing your train.

June 13 - Chicago Tribune

Fans walking into MetLife stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

New Jersey FIFA transit will cost $6 million per match

World Cup host cities are bracing for an influx of visitors — and transit users.

June 12 - CBS News

Blue and white bus in El Paso, Texas.

El Paso launches improved bus network, new microtransit service

Sun Metro is eliminating some bus lines in favor of more frequent service, estimating that only 1% of riders will have to walk farther to reach a station.

June 12 - KFOX 14

Large data center with power substation in Hutto, Texas.

Texas bars data centers from raising utility costs for residents

Gov. Abbott is calling on the state's utility regulator to take steps to reduce energy costs for consumers and ensure data center operators pay for any added costs.

June 12 - The Dallas Express

Collage of six book covers.

FEATURE

10 great urban planning summer reads

Wherever you're going (or staying) this summer, here are some suggestions for books to bring along.

June 12 - Stephanie Rouse

Post News
Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.