The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Coronavirus

Herd Immunity Finds Receptive Audience in White House and Florida

A trio of epidemiologists from Stanford, Harvard, and the University of Oxford have joined the president's new coronavirus medical advisor, Scott Atlas, in promoting an alternative approach to dealing with coronavirus infections.

October 18 - The Washington Post

Downtown Philadelphia

Pandemic's Economic Realities Bolster Case for a Land Value Tax

The example of Philadelphia shows how a land value tax could provide relief to residents and the city's finances.

October 18 - WHYY

Summerhill Bus Rapid Transit Project

Atlanta Bus Rapid Transit Project, a First in Georgia, Moves Along

The first-ever Bus Rapid Transit system for the region surrounding Atlanta is making progress, and ready to hire consultants.

October 18 - SaportaReport

Compton, California

PLANOPEDIA

What Is a Specific Plan?

Specific Plans are unique to the state of California, but come up frequently in media coverage of planning. Understanding the purpose of Specific Plans can also open a window to understanding of how planning works all over the country.

October 16 - James Brasuell

Fort Worth,Texas Oct.21, 2017 Food truck at the trendy area of South side also called the Magnolia area in Forth Worth,Texas.

Fort Worth Plans Big Moves to Rebrand Near Southside

Fort Worth business owners plan to promote the Near Southside area as a hub for artists and entrepreneurs.

October 16 - Fort Worth Star-Telegram


Children Walking To School

'Pedestrians First' Measures Walkability for Babies, Toddlers, Caregivers, Everyone

The ITDP's new Pedestrians First tool describes why and how to improve walking conditions, and provides comprehensive analysis of walkability for 1000 cities.

October 16 - Pedestrians First

Zoning Code Rendering

First Look: Zoning Changes Proposed to Implement Minneapolis' Landmark Comp Plan

A plan is only as good as its implementation, and so the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan needs the right zoning code to achieve its lofty goals.

October 16 - Streets MN


Tennessee

Development Codes Have a Crucial Role in Traffic Safety

It's not enough to focus solely on the design and engineering of streets when looking for ways to improve traffic safety. The fruits of the planning profession must be held to account, too.

October 16 - Streetsblog USA

Sound Transit Link Light Rail

$4.2 Billion in Washington State Transportation Funding Rescued by the Courts

The Washington Supreme Court struck down an initiative that would have cost state and local governments an estimated $4.2 billion in transportation funding.

October 15 - Crosscut

Washington D.C.

Environmental Agencies Failing at Civil Rights, Report Says

A report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Inspector General calls out state environmental agencies for a lack of civil rights enforecement and makes recommendations for resolving shortcomings.

October 15 - Grist

Willowbrook, Los Angeles,

Transformation of South Los Angeles Park Offers Hope to the Community

Earvin "Magic" Johnson Park in Willowbrook has been transformed with $70 million worth of improvements, including a 20,000-square foot event center for community gatherings and events.

October 15 - Los Angeles Sentinel

Society Hill Historic Buildings

Mayoral Veto Kills Controversial Philadelphia Downzoning

The mayor, planning staff, and the Philadelphia Planning Commission agree. The Philadelphia City Council and residents of the wealthy neighborhood of Society Hill, not so much.

October 15 - WHYY

Brazil

BLOG POST

3 Cities That Will Thrive Post-Pandemic—and 2 That Might Struggle

The most promising cities after COVID won't necessarily be the same that were ideal before.

October 15 - Devin Partida

New York Public Transit

Trump Administration Puts Covid Funding at Risk for Transit in 'Anarchist Jurisdictions'

A September 2 memo by the Trump administration warned of punitive actions against New York City, Seattle, Portland, and Washington, D.C. A recently announced federal funding opportunity makes good on the threat.

October 15 - The New York Daily News

Newport Bridge

Urban Plan Ready for Public Scrutiny in Newport, Rhode Island

Newport, Rhode Island is undertaking a major planning initiative during the pandemic.

October 15 - NewportRI.com

New York City Tech Office

Big Tech Bets on the Big Apple

Amidst the uncertainty of the pandemic, the four biggest U.S. technology companies have leased or bought enough office space in New York City for 22,000 employees.

October 15 - The New York Times

Complete Street

PLANOPEDIA

What Are Complete Streets?

Complete Streets prioritize the safety and mobility of all users instead of the speed of cars and flow of traffic. After a century of prioritizing automobile travel, the concept of complete streets offer a chance to make streets a place to be used and enjoyed rather than glimpsed through a windshield.

October 14 - James Brasuell

Outdoor Dining

Outdoor Dining No Refuge From the Danger of Cars

A driver lost control of his SUV in San José, California this week, plowing into an outdoor dining area and killing one customer.

October 14 - The Mercury News

New York New Jersey Transit

Biden Would Finally Get the Gateway Project Moving, Advocates Say

A group of regional experts and advocates provide details on how a win by former Vice President Joe Biden might change the direction of the Gateway Project to repair the rail link between New Jersey and New York.

October 14 - The Bond Buyer

Wisconsin Economic Development

Wisconsin Canceling its Checks to Foxconn

The Republican Party once touted a deal to bring Foxconn to Wisconsin as evidence of their commitment to bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S., but the deal has soured, potentially beyond rescue.

October 14 - Ars Technica

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.