The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Empty Road

BLOG POST

The Roadway Expansion Paradox

Motorists want expensive roadway expansions provided that somebody else foots the bill, but when required to pay directly through tolls, the need for more capacity often disappears. What should planners do?

November 28 - Todd Litman

Coronavirus

Update: Coronavirus Vaccination Litigation against Biden Administration

The U.S. Justice Department filed its appeal on Nov. 23 before the 6th Circuit Court to reinstate the large private employer vaccination status requirement that the 5th Circuit had stayed after Republican governors and state attorneys general sued.

November 28 - The Washington Post

Boston transit station

Boston Mayor Proposes Fare-Free Transit

The pro-transit mayor of Boston is proposing fare-free transit on some of the city's most heavily used bus routes.

November 26 - Streetsblog Massachusetts

SoHo Broadway

Opinion: It's Time To Put People Ahead of Cars in SoHo

A proposal from SoHo Broadway Initiative aims to prioritize pedestrian and bike infrastructure and discourage car traffic to make the neighborhood safer and more comfortable for the people who live and work there.

November 26 - City Limits

Desalination

California Ballot Measure Could Streamline Permitting for Water Projects

A coalition of farmers and desalination supporters is collecting signatures for a California ballot measure that would fast-track construction processes for water storage projects.

November 26 - Mercury News


The New York Public Library's stone lions Patience and Fortitude have donned face masks to remind New Yorkers to wear face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

FEATURE

The Top Urban Planning Books of 2021

Planetizen's annual list of the top urban planning books of the year is here—maintaining a tradition that dates back to 2002.

November 26 - James Brasuell

Los Vaqueros Reservoir, Brentwood, California

Bay Area Looks To Expand Reservoir As Drought Deepens

The expansion of the Los Vaqueros Reservoir in Brentwood would increase storage capacity and create a more reliable water supply for Northern California communities.

November 24 - Mercury News


Green Buildings

Fighting Climate Change With Green Building Standards

Localities in Canada's Durham Region are implementing green building regulations to promote sustainable development and reduce resource use.

November 24 - durhamregion.com

Water Works at Mill Ruins Park

New Minneapolis Park Connects City to the Mississippi River

The newly built Water Works Park and Pavilion incorporates elements of historic mills and provides amenities long absent from the city's waterfront.

November 24 - The Architect's Newspaper

Rancho Seco Nuclear Generating Station

Bill Gates' Nuclear Power Company Takes Giant Step in Cowboy State

A Wyoming coal power plant will be transformed by a company backed by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates to run on nuclear power. With the signing of the bipartisan infrastructure act, $1.5 billion will help produce zero-emission power by 2028

November 24 - CNBC

 Brewster NY from MetroNorth

Main Street Redevelopment Hopes To Lure NYC Commuters to Village of Brewster

Officials in the Village of Brewster, a community of just over 2,000 people in New York's Putnam County, hope a redesign of their downtown will attract new residents who want to escape the clamor of the city.

November 24 - Albany Times-Union

Subway Turnstiles

Voters Approved 100 Percent of Pro-Transit Ballot Measures This Year

In 2021, public transit-related ballot measures passed with strong support across the country.

November 24 - Streetsblog USA

Unofficial monument to 25 years of People's Park, Berkeley, California

A Fight For the Future of People's Park

Community groups are fighting a plan to build student housing in the historic People's Park.

November 24 - Mercury News

South San Jose houses

Report: How States Can Improve Housing Policy

While many policies that affect housing are decided on at the local level, there are several steps state officials can take to pave the way for healthier housing markets.

November 24 - The Brookings Institution

San Francisco, California

San Francisco Supes Reject Proposal To Turn Parking Lot Into Housing

State legislators are decrying the Board of Supervisors' decision to reject a proposal to build a 495-unit apartment building on a downtown San Francisco parking lot.

November 23 - San Francisco Chronicle

Baltimore

Baltimore Could Revive Dollar Homes Program

A 1970s program let Baltimore residents purchase city-owned homes for $1. Now, the city council president wants to bring it back.

November 23 - Fox Baltimore

A black and white photo of U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

BLOG POST

The Bill is Signed; What’s Next?

The work begins, particularly for the folks at the U.S. Department of Transportation.  Whether you are a transportation official, a consultant, or a weekend transportation policy wonk, here are a few things to consider.

November 23 - Robert Fischer

Single-Family Neighborhood

A Battle Brews Over Housing Density In Seattle

The newly elected Seattle City Council will take up the debate over single-family zoning in the city.

November 23 - Crosscut

Atlanta Skyline

Atlanta’s Night Mayor Will Govern More Than Parties

Atlanta is planning to focus on night-shift workers, part of a growing consciousness around night mayors’ responsibility to everyone who shares the night, whether that’s workers, people who are homeless or leisure seekers.

November 23 - Next City

MARTA Bus

MARTA Asking Riders For Feedback On Route Redesign

Atlanta's transit agency is asking for public feedback before a major system redesign.

November 23 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Post News
Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

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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.

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.