The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

The agency will distribute $5 billion over the next five years to help school districts purchase electric and low-emissions buses.

July 21 - U.S. PIRG, the Federation of State Public Interest Research Groups

FEATURE

U.S. cities lack land for new development but have many derelict or defunct parcels in need of revitalization. There are an estimated 70,000 strip mall centers in the country, all with tremendous potential for affordable and workforce housing.

July 21 - Tim Mustard

More than nine in 10 U.S. transit agencies face operator shortages. A new report sheds light on the reasons why they’re having such a hard time attracting new hires.

July 21 - Streetsblog USA

Nascar races are a series of loops. Chicago has The Loop. Chicago also has a heated debate about traffic safety that probably doesn't have room for sponsored cars doing speeds upward of 100.

July 21 - Forbes

A bridge on the D.C. Metrorail Yellow Line will be closed for seven months—the longest ever for the transit system. Blue Line service and shuttles will attempt to make up the difference.

July 21 - Greater Greater Washington

Some transit agencies are launching ‘ambassador’ programs that use unarmed personnel to respond to safety concerns and reduce interactions with armed law enforcement.

July 20 - Next City

With $24 million in state funding directed to Spokane’s efforts to reduce homelessness, city officials plan to relocate the over 600 residents of Camp Hope. But will services follow?

July 20 - RANGE Media

Based on the number of permits issued for new construction in the last year, the city must triple its production to meet the targets set by the state in the latest round of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment.

July 20 - Voice of San Diego

The paper of record in Southern California is on the record in support of parking reforms.

July 20 - Los Angeles Times

Housing underproduction in the United States is growing more severe and more widespread.

July 20 - Up for Growth

A remarkable transformation is underway along the North Branch of the Chicago River, after being channelized and brutalized for well over a century.

July 20 - Fast Company

Just three percent of Black households own commercial real estate, making it more difficult for Black entrepreneurs to establish businesses and build wealth.

July 20 - Bloomberg CityLab

The city plans to make conditions safer for bikes and pedestrians on and around the Brooklyn Bridge bike lane, which opened to much fanfare—and some disappointment—last year.

July 20 - Streetsblog New York City

The agency’s detailed list of actions highlights the many changes needed to truly implement Complete Streets principles into California road construction and maintenance.

July 19 - Streetsblog California

Once scratchy and unrealistic, artificial grass has come a long way. Now, it’s quickly becoming a popular lawn replacement as droughts and climate change make traditional lawns harder to maintain.

July 19 - Bloomberg CityLab

Supporters of decriminalization argue that jaywalking laws don’t keep pedestrians safe and disproportionately burden Black and brown communities with fines.

July 19 - Stateline

Idaho cities can remove barriers to development, adjust zoning codes, and encourage the construction of accessory dwelling units and single-occupancy apartments to sustainably accommodate the state’s growing population.

July 19 - Idaho Capital Sun

The state legislature passed a bill that bans sleeping on state land and threatens to pull state funding from cities with high rates of homelessness.

July 19 - The Kansas City Star

For small towns and hard-to-reach areas, on-demand microtransit could offer an effective alternative to fixed-route buses.

July 19 - NPR

After a similar bill was vetoed by Governor Charlie Baker in 2020, the Massachusetts senate has reintroduced an amendment that would mandate discounted transit fares.

July 19 - Streetsblog Massachusetts