The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Self-Driving Cars

How Cities Can Plan For the Rise of Autonomous Vehicles

When cars first started proliferating on American roads, it led to increased sprawl and flight from central cities. What can we do now to prevent the same problem as AVs become more widespread?

October 6 - Streetsblog USA

Megabus

Philadelphia's Intercity Bus Riders Are Getting Shortchanged

Despite the popularity of intercity bus services, most users have to wait on unshaded sidewalks with none of the amenities of traditional bus depots.

October 6 - Philadelphia Inquirer

A map showing zoning for the South District in the city of Iowa City.

Missing Middle Housing, Form-Based Code Added to the Zoning Menu in Iowa City

The Iowa City Planning Commission approved a rezoning amendment that will allow new missing middle density and implement a form-based code for the city's South District. The city could expand the concepts as it expands the city in the future.

October 6 - Iowa City Press Citizen

Austin Bus

Coming Soon to Austin: More Electric Buses, Two New High-Frequency Lines

Austin's transit agency is accelerating its move toward an all-electric fleet with the addition of 200 new electric buses.

October 6 - KUT

Stahl House Los Angeles

Million-Dollar Homes Becoming Standard Fare Across Los Angeles

As households with means seek to escape crowded apartment buildings and take advantage of historically low mortgage rates, average home prices of over $1 million are proliferating across the LA region.

October 6 - Los Angeles Times


Atlanta Traffic

Why Don't State DOTs Believe in Induced Demand?

Despite evidence that widening roadways is only a temporary solution to congestion, a decades-long inertia leads states to continue pushing expansion projects against local opposition.

October 6 - Bloomberg CityLab

New York Public Transit

Transit Riders Want An Improved Experience Post-Pandemic, Survey Says

A survey of public transit users indicates riders want to see more tech features that improve their experience, such as trip planning and improved payment platforms.

October 6 - Governing


Capitol Hill

Capital Bikeshare Reinstalls White House Station

The station on the White House grounds has been reinstated as part of Capital Bikeshare's push to expand the network by dozens of new stations by the end of the year.

October 6 - The Washington Post

Westfield Mall Uber Drop-Off

Study: Uber and Lyft Trips Cost the Planet More Than Trips in Personal Vehicles

The cost of 'deadheading'–the time ride-hailing drivers spend looking for fares–offsets any environmental benefits created by the industry, despite early claims that the apps would reduce congestion and air pollution.

October 5 - Bloomberg CityLab

Open Streets

The Role of Play in Public Space Design

'Playable' public spaces can be a powerful tool for creating vibrant, communal, and equitable cities.

October 5 - StreetsBlog NYC

Houston Light Rail Transit

Houston Area Loses $64 Million in Federal Transportation Funds Due to Delays and Lack of Oversight

The funding was directed to congestion mitigation, air quality, and transportation alternatives projects.

October 5 - Houston Chronicle

Washington

Eviction Moratorium Spurs Passionate Debate in Seattle

Renter protections are a contentious issue, but that only increases the need for honest and transparent debate.

October 5 - Crosscut

A "Road Work Ahead" lies neglected on the ground next to a street in Boise, Idaho.

State Law Preempts Federal Transit Relief Funding in Idaho

Idaho state law prevents local voters from implementing the sales taxes that generate revenue to match federal funding for transportation projects, taking local and regional projects out of the running for many federal grant programs.

October 5 - Magic Valley

Site plan for Urban Oasis Catalyst LLC development around Westside Park

Affordable Housing Planned Around Atlanta's New Westside Park

The 65 new units will include single-family homes with ADUs, duplexes, and fourplexes, according to Invest Atlanta.

October 5 - Urbanize Atlanta

Philadelphia Construction

Affordable Housing Bonus Program Expanded in Philadelphia

The city of Philadelphia launched a height and density bonus in 2018 to create incentives for the development of affordable housing, but so far the results have proven underwhelming.

October 5 - PlanPhilly

Traffic in Manhattan New York

New York Mayor's 'Gridlock Alerts' Go Unheeded

Mobility advocates say the city must do more to make transit and alternative transportation modes more convenient for drivers.

October 5 - Streetsblog New York City

Walking

Americans Walk More Than Ever

An analysis of searches for walking directions shows dramatic increases in walking in cities across the country.

October 4 - CommercialCafe

Intercity Buses

With Little Government Assistance, Intercity Bus Services Struggle to Regain Footing

Although intercity buses provide a crucial service to millions of Americans, the industry has been shut out of recent pandemic assistance programs while riders continue to experience dismal facilities and shrinking service options.

October 4 - Governing

An image of a bridge in Vermont with a sign in front of it announcing a COVID-19 quarantine order.

Boosters and Breakthroughs in Vermont

The most vaccinated state in the U.S. may tell us where the future of the country is headed in the war against the coronavirus. Could it become a 'pandemic of the vaccinated'?

October 4 - WPTZ

Home For Sale Signs

BLOG POST

How Do We Calculate Demand for Housing?

Actual demand for a place's housing might exceed increases in the number of residents or households.

October 4 - Michael Lewyn

Post News

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.

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.