The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Staying Put to Fight COVID-19
The potential of the coronavirus to influence the way we travel and where we live is explored in this deep dive that also imagines how the world might benefit from less vehicle travel, during and after a pandemic.
A Canary in the Coal Mine for All Cities? Santa Monica City Manager Steps Down
Rick Cole discusses the existential challenges cities must grapple to be a leading city in the 21st century, Santa Monica's achievements during his five years as city manager, and the sacrifices that will be made as the city endures COVID-19.
BLOG POST
Earth Day: 1970 and Now
The decade that began with the first Earth Day became a pivotal moment in U.S. environmental awareness and action. The core principles of the environmental decade are now questioned in the highest offices of our land.
Proposed Ordinance Would Limit Livestock Ownership in Chicago
In an effort to elevate a standard of care for livestock, an ordinance sponsored by Ald. Anthony Napolitano seeks to regulate fowl and livestock animal ownership within city limits.
'Glaring' Racial Disparities Revealed in Louisiana COVID-19 Data
New data from the Louisiana Department of Health provide the most detailed look at the disparate impacts of the coronavirus across racial lines.
Increase Housing Supply Softened Rent Increases in D.C., Study Says
A study recently published by the District of Columbia offers supporting evidence to a supply-side approach to housing affordability in high-demand markets.
Milan Commits to a Less Car-Centric New Normal
Milan is making changes to its streets to ensure that the city's residents and employment base don't overwhelm the city with new automobile traffic when the city reopens for business.
Road and Highway Construction Plan Expected to Take a $250 Million Hit in Colorado
The Colorado Department of Transportation might be building fewer roads than they had originally planned after the coronavirus recedes. A few projects already underway have been able to speed up.
States Take Steps to Reopen Regardless of White House Guideline Criteria
Governors of several states announced initial steps to reopen their economies even though their COVID-19 caseloads are not meeting the criteria that they show a decline for two weeks, according to White House reopening guidelines issued April 16.
Breaking News: 12 New 'Slow Streets' in San Francisco
Transportation officials in San Francisco are planning to restrict vehicle access on 12 streets around the city to make more room for pedestrians and people on bikes.
Construction Errors Delay Crenshaw Light Rail in Los Angeles
The Crenshaw/LAX line, under construction in Los Angeles and passing through the city of Inglewood to connect the Expo and Green lines, was originally scheduled to open in 2019.
Eviction Moratoriums Rescinded After Landlords Threaten Lawsuits
While a statewide eviction moratorium is still in place, the example of Upland in Southern California suggests that local eviction moratoriums might not withstand legal controversies.
Opinion: Don't Allow Highway Boondoggles in Stimulus Spending
Instead of doubling down on the unsustainable planning and building practices, the current crisis offers a chance to hit reset, according to this article.
Large Cities Were Already Losing Population. Then Came the Coronavirus.
"Cities of all sizes may soon look less alluring, if drastic drops in income, sales and tourism tax revenue leave gaping holes in budgets," according to this article, which encapsulates a popular school of thought as the pandemic rages.
FEATURE
Is it Time to Revive the Pattern Language?
Software and other fields have made brilliant progress with the pattern language methodology, while built environment fields lag badly, mired in parochial debates over the massive book that invented the methodology.
State and Local Border Restrictions Draw Legal Scrutiny
Some call restrictions at state and county borders necessary to protect the public health of communities. Others call them unconstitutional.
U.S. Needs to More Than Triple Testing Before States Can Open, Study Says
The United States currently tests about 145,000 people daily. A Harvard study calls for a minimum of 500,000 daily, but that's on the low end if the country wants to prevent shutting down again due to a second wave of the coronavirus.
President Trump's Plan to Reopen the Economy Rests with States
After initially saying that he had total authority on how and when to reopen the economy, Trump handed the responsibility to the 50 governors to make their own decisions and offered guidance in the form of a three-phase plan that relies on testing.
$1 Million for an Affordable Apartment in California—Coronavirus Could Make it Worse
The pre-existing condition of the California housing market will make it very difficult to meet the demands of the state's residents as unemployment spikes in the state.
Once-in-a-Millennium Megadrought—Happening Now in the Western United States
The Western United States is experiencing a drought the scale of which has only been seen once before in the past 1,200 years, according to a new study. Climate change is not a future problem, say the researchers responsible for the study, it's here.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
Tyler Technologies
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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.
