The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Coronavirus Declared a Pandemic. What Does That Mean?
The director-general of the World Health Organization announced on Wednesday that the COVID-19 viral disease that has killed more than 4,000 people, infected nearly 120,00 people and is present in 114 nations is a pandemic.

FEATURE
Reforming Local Development Regulations for Sustainable Megaregions
Managing development at the scale of megaregions is possible. An excerpt from the recently published book, "Designing for the Megaregion: Meeting Urban Challenges at a New Scale," written by Jonathan Barnett, explains how.

Study Reveals Gender Dynamics of Professional Planning Practice
A new study published by the Journal of the American Planning Association details the gender dynamics of planning offices around the country, finding challenges with exclusive communication (i.e., shutting women out from workplace communication).

Two Skyline Changing Apartment Towers Proposed to Rise on the Site of Chicago's Failed Spire
An infamous site has new development life after developers returned to the public with a revised project proposal.

A 'Cul-De-Tax' for the Cul-De-Sac?
A recent study studying the contemporary planning profession's rejection of the cul-de-sac includes a proposal to create more economic disincentives for inefficient street grid patterns.

Transit Galore in Capital Metro's New Transit Plan for Austin
New light rail lines, dedicated busways, and expanded bus and commuter rail service are on the Project Connect menu.
A Nation of 60 Million on Lockdown
Should the United States be watching Italy for lessons on how to contain and mitigate the coronavirus?

Massachusetts Conflict: Gas Tax or Carbon Charge on Fuel to Fund Transit?
The Democratic House just passed a gas tax increase that the Republican governor opposes because he wants his state to join the Transportation and Climate Initiative, a carbon pricing program applicable to fuel. Both measures will fund transit.

FEATURE
The Census Faces its Toughest Challenge Yet: Coronavirus
Census 2020 faced funding challenges, leadership changes, and unprecedented politics on its way to a big launch this week. Now the coronavirus is sending people into social isolation, making the process of an accurate count very difficult.

Scott Wiener Hasn't Quit the Statewide Density Cause Yet
California State Senator has released draft legislation to follow up on the previous SB 50, which in turn followed up on SB 827. The new bill, SB 902, promises a "light touch."

Draft Drop: the Minneapolis Transportation Action Plan
As a first step in furthering goals set in the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan, Minneapolis recently released the draft of a new ten-year transportation plan.

The Basement Apartments of Seoul’s Urban Poor
The lives of Seoul's poorest residents in squalid below-ground housing are brought out of the shadows in the film "Parasite."

World's Longest Bike Bridge Under Construction in the Netherlands
De Blauwe Loper, the Blue Carpet in English, will redefine bike infrastructure ambition.

BLOG POST
How Much Does it Cost to Rent an Apartment, Anyway?
Geoff Boeing of the University of Southern California writes about a recent article he co-authored in the Journal of Planning Education and Research.

National Shared Mobility Summit Cancelled Due to Coronavirus Fears
Planning conferences are among the events experiencing the effects of Coronavirus mitigation measures.

Just What the World Needs: $20 Per Barrel Oil
Oil prices crashed Monday due to a disagreement between two of the world's largest oil producers, Saudi Arabia and Russia, amidst a slump in oil demand due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Oil will flood the market as demand drops.

Eminent Domain Challenges Remain for Dallas to Houston High-Speed Rail Project
While Texas Central's plan to build a high-speed rail link between Houston and Dallas has already dealt with years of opposition from rural communities, big fights over the use of eminent domain have yet to begin.

Facing Driver Shortage, Denver RTD Backs Off Proposed Service Reductions
Transit planners are rethinking a December proposal to eliminate and reduce transit service in response to a shortage of drivers in the Denver area.

Minneapolis Riverfront Project Raises Issues of Equity
The Upper Harbor Terminal project is set to transform an area north of downtown, but residents are concerned about the long-term impacts and outcomes.

State Legislation Responds to Pedestrian Safety Failures in Connecticut
So far in 2020, drivers have killed 15 pedestrians on Connecticut roads.
Pagination
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
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