The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Thousands of new homes are replacing Orange County's dead malls
Southern California cities are adjusting their zoning codes to support mixed-use and residential developments that are replacing dying shopping malls.
SoCal's Metrolink to continue 'temporary' service cuts
The commuter rail agency faces a $15 million budget shortfall and could see diminished contributions from its two top funders.
Arizona emerges as national leader in wildlife crossings
Arizona has been building bridges to prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions at various hotspots throughout the state.
Green blocks are up to 4 degrees cooler than treeless streets
The difference in temperature created by urban trees can translate to as much as 40% less excess heat.
In a twist, Baltimore residents ask for less parking
A grocery store developer is asking to build more off-street parking than the city's new regulations allow, as well as 6 curbside spots that would replace an existing bus lane.
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April must-reads: Top 10 articles from last month
The world's longest car-free bridge opens in Finland, Amtrak's new Mardi Gras line shatters ridership predictions, and Bay Area commuters could lose a third of Caltrain stations.
Belgian 'urban village' delivers social housing with style
A neighborhood 25 years in the making blends Flemish vernacular architecture with walkability and affordability.
Church-to-housing trend grows in Southern California
Many faith leaders are eager to support housing construction on church land.
San Diego wants to limit upzoning law to just 16% of transit-adjacent parcels
The city's planning director says some areas are unfit for immediate upzoning due to a lack of resources or hazards such as wildfire risk.
Study: Midblock pedestrian crossings are more common than we think
One in six crossings in the study took place outside of a marked crosswalk.
Saratoga Springs bike advocates say city is ignoring its Complete Streets plan
Despite a commitment to improving its multimodal infrastructure, the city has no plans to install bike lanes or curb cuts as part of repaving projects on two streets.
Waymo's troubles with emergency vehicles are getting worse
In one case, first responders waited 53 minutes to reach a Waymo support representative during an emergency.
California lifts ban on heavy-duty autonomous vehicles
AV manufacturers can begin testing self-driving vehicles weighing over 10,001 pounds on California roads.
Amtrak may loosen its rules on bringing guns on board
A proposed rule change could allow passengers to bring weapons onto all trains, rather than just the few long-haul lines that allow them currently.
Once a year, Maine roads become highways for amphibians
The 'Big Night' brings out volunteers to help frogs, salamanders, and other migrating amphibians cross roads to reach their breeding grounds.
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Cost of living too high? Planners to the rescue!
Excessive costs of living force many people to work more than optimal hours, leaving less time for family and fun. Local policies that favor affordable housing and transportation increase freedom, opportunity and happiness.
A 1920s Poughkeepsie cistern sees new life as art venue
For decades, it secured the city's water supply. Now, it could become its hottest new performance venue.
96% of federal EV charging funds from 2021-2022 are unspent
New Buy America requirements and other stipulations are slowing the process for accessing federal funds.
Hartford launches program that uses housing vouchers to facilitate homeownership
The Connecticut capital will allow voucher recipients to use their vouchers toward home payments as a way to build long-term wealth.
Missing Houston housing authority records put tenant housing at risk
The rebranded Houston housing agency is still working to reconcile records lost during a 2024 software switch.
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
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.
