The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Red cranes over Gordie Howe Bridge spanning Detroit River.

Trump’s Canada Bridge Threat Could Kill a Rare International Bikeway

The President says he won’t allow the new Gordie Howe International Bridge to open “until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given” Canada.

February 19 - Streetsblog USA

Google street view of small pedestrian street in Somerville, New Jersey.

BLOG POST

In Defense of Car-light Planning

By framing car-free as the only way forward, we have made the perfect the enemy of the good. It’s time we emphasize — and promote — small progress.

February 19 - Marcelo Remond

Google street view of former bank building in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Historic Bank in Pittsfield, Massachusetts to Become Mixed-income Housing

The bank redevelopment project is part of a $140 million state affordable housing initiative.

February 19 - News 10

Protesters holding up anti-Trump climate protest signs in front of Capitol dome in Washington DC.

BLOG POST

Dear Trump: the Future Belongs to the Efficient

Trump abandoned climate protection goals claiming that cheap fossil fuel helps consumers and the economy. A mobility-focused analysis shows that he is wrong: resource efficiency is the key to health, economic success and happiness.

February 19 - Todd Litman

Protesters holding a blue "ICE out of LA" sign with LA Dodgers logo in Los Angeles.

LA Considers Reviving Zoning Rule That Would Prohibit ICE Facilities for Children

A 2019 proposal would bar private detention facilities from contracting with federal agencies to detain minors.

February 18 - LAist


Salt lake Ciy street in winter.

Utah State Bill Could Force Removal of SLC Bike Lanes

If state lawmakers have their way, the city could be forced to remove several bikeways.

February 18 - Streetsblog USA

Street scene of people on parade.

Memphis Plans to Build 10,000 New Homes by 2030

The city plans to liberalize zoning codes to create better incentives for housing production.

February 18 - Fox 13


pubic transit

Atlanta to Launch Autonomous Electric Shuttle

The half-mile system will be California-based Glydways’ first self-driving shuttle system.

February 18 - New Atlas

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaking at a podium in front of American flag and White House logo on blue background.

USDOT Wants to Require 100% American-made Materials for EV Charging Stations

The proposal comes after a judge ruled against the agency’s attempt to rescind federal funds for electric car charging projects.

February 17 - Reuters

Man walks past homeless encampment behind concrete Jersey barriers on street in Oakland, California with RVs parked behind tents.

Oakland Mayor, City Council Offer ‘Radically Different’ Plans for Reducing Homelessness

Mayor Barbara Lee wants to reduce encampment sweeps and focus on improving sanitation while city council members want to increase enforcement, particularly against illegally parked RVs.

February 17 - The Mercury News

Close-up of person in denim jacket plugging in eledtric car to curbside charger.

DC Installing Public, Curbside EV Chargers in All Wards

DDOT hopes the pilot program will make EV charging easier and more accessible for residents in denser neighborhoods and apartment dwellers.

February 17 - WTOP News

Three-story homes along beach in Dunkirk, France.

FEATURE

The City Where Free Buses Changed Everything

New York’s new mayor Zohran Mamdani has said he’ll make every bus free to ride. This French city did just that — and is reaping the rewards.

February 17 - Peter Yeung

Boston FD fire station with red fire truck halfway out of the door.

Massachusetts Governor Says Safety Funds Won’t be Tied to MBTA Communities Compliance

Gov. Healey faced backlash for requiring local fire departments to confirm compliance with the zoning law to receive state funds.

February 17 - Boston Herald

 Crowd of people de-board VTA transit train to attend Wrestlemania 31 at the Levi's Stadium in San Clara, California on March 29, 2015.

Super Bowl and Seahawks Victory Parade Break Transit Ridership Records in Bay Area and Seattle

Roughly 20 percent of Super Bowl attendees arrived at the stadium by transit.

February 16 - SFGate

View down a San Francisco street with tall offive buildings on either side and a golden sunrise on the horizon.

With Zero Office Conversions in Four Years, San Francisco Pins Hopes on New Special Financing District

City leaders hope the new incentive will spur the redevelopment of some of the city’s 30,000 square feet of vacant office space into housing.

February 16 - San Francisco Chronicle

The community of Fond du Lac gathered on Sheboygan Street in front of the Thelma Center for a community event Feed the Dog.

How Placemaking Lost its Way — And How it Can Get Back on Track

The term has often become diluted, getting attached to projects that don’t live up to its lofty aspirations.

February 16 - Strong Towns

Man and woman boarding bus on winter day in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

UMich Students Install DIY Bus Benches in Ann Arbor

A student urbanism club built and distributed benches at some of the city’s most-used bus stops.

February 16 - Michigan Daily

Cover of Messy Cities book.

BLOG POST

Mess Might Just be the Secret Weapon That Planners Forgot

In “Messy Cities: Why We Can’t Plan Everything” 43 writers from around the world sing the praises the gentle chaos that exemplifies a thriving metropolis.

February 16 - Jennifer Hiatt

People boarding and deboarding blue NYC bus.

Mamdani to Revive Multiple Complete Streets Projects Killed by Adams

NYCDOT will restore several proposed bike and bus lanes.

February 16 - StreetsBlog NYC

Activists creating a DIY blockade in a snowy Minneapolis intersection during 2025-2026 ICE occupation.

Minneapolis Activists Use DIY Traffic Circles to Identify, Slow ICE

Residents are using the pop-up roundabouts to slow traffic and make their presence known on Minneapolis streets.

February 15 - MinnPost

Post News
Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

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.

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.