The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Atlanta Vacancy

Vacant Properties Weren't Just a Foreclosure Crisis Problem

There are more vacant properties now than there were at the height of the foreclosure crisis in the United States, and many vacant properties are hanging around in growing cities with a shortage of affordable housing.

November 12 - Marketplace

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis Officially Ends Single-Family Zoning; Change to Take Effect January 1

The end of single-family zoning, a key component of a comprehensive plan adopted last year in Minneapolis, has now been set in code.

November 11 - StarTribune

Report: Greenpoint-Williamsburg Rezoning Sparked Growth

An editorial cites newly released analysis of changes on the North Brooklyn Waterfront since a 2005 rezoning.

November 11 - The New York Post

Intercity Rail

Amtrak Continues Positive Gains in Revenue, Ridership

Amtrak is hoping to turn its first-ever profit next year.

November 11 - Business Insider

Women in the City

What Would Cities Look Like if They Were Designed by Women?

Cities are built by men, and so too often urban design does not reflect the needs, perspectives, and realities of women.

November 11 - BBC


Portland Bus Lane

'Rose Lane Project' Proposed to Prioritize Bus Improvements in Portland

The city of Portland last week revealed a new transit planning project intended to speed up and increase bus service, and hopefully increase ridership as a result.

November 11 - BikePortland

Southern California Freeways

Tinkering With New Ride-Hailing Area Produces Results at LAX

Few planning projects in recent weeks have attracted such scrutiny as the LAX-It ride-hailing pickup area at Los Angeles International Airport.

November 11 - Los Angeles Times


San Diego Gaslamp District

Pedestrian-Only 'Gaslamp Promenade' Considered in San Diego

San Diego is considering a plan to block off an eight-block portion of its Downtown, known as the Gaslamp Quarter, to automobile traffic.

November 11 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Cincinnati Suspension Bridge

Political Deal Clears the Way for Waterfront Development in Cincinnati

A large development proposed for two parking lots near the city of Cincinnati's NFL stadium suddenly has a path forward.

November 11 - Cincinnati Enquirer

Chelsea

Walkable Neighborhoods Set the Stage for Upward Mobility, Study Says

New research out of the University of Virginia makes the case for walkable neighborhoods as incubators of economic mobility.

November 11 - University of Virginia

Planning, Explaiined

Urban Planning, Explained

Planetizen and Planetizen Courses teamed up to film this short video that aims to clarify the field of urban planning in a world full of plans and planning.

November 11 - Planetizen Courses via YouTube

Sprawl

Regional Planning Paradigm Shift in Southern California

The Southern California Association of Governments, in response to new mandates from the state, has adopted a radical new approach to housing requirements in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.

November 10 - Los Angeles Times

Treasure Valley

The Forgotten Treasure in Western Land

Will the arid West’s farms and settlements thrive for another century? Better conservation policy should take a longer view.

November 10 - The American Conservative

California

Torrent of Pro-Housing Policies Could Overwhelm California's Planners

Ben Metcalf recently stepped down as director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development. His tenure coincided with adoption of aggressive new statewide policies. But are they too much of a good thing?

November 10 - California Planning & Development Report

Kitsilano Beach Park

Squamish Nation Plans 6,000-Unit Development in Vancouver

The residential development in Vancouver, located on Squamish Nation land, will be significantly larger than what was initially planned.

November 10 - The Globe and Mail

Gowanus Canal

Transfer of Air Rights Sought to Finance Public Housing Improvements in Brooklyn

The rezoning of the neighborhood of Gowanus in Brooklyn is providing opportunities for local politicians to address local needs.

November 10 - Crain's New York Business

Cupertino, California

Why Big Tech Billions Won't Dent California's Housing Crisis

New multibillion-dollar affordable housing commitments from leading tech firms may build out thousands of units, but that's nothing next to California's gargantuan housing shortage.

November 9 - The New York Times

Shasta Lake

Environmental Study of Shasta Dam Project Halted

The federal government was considering a plan to raise the height of the dam on California's largest reservoir. But the area’s water district recently announced that it will not continue with an environmental study of the project.

November 9 - High Country News

Tacoma Washington

Election 2019: Devastating Transportation Funding Loss in Pacific Northwest

Washington voters' approval of Initiative 976, which put a limit on car tab increases as well as repealing many motor vehicle fees, will have far-reaching consequences for funding road maintenance, transit, and bike and pedestrian projects.

November 9 - The Seattle Times

Seattle Road Toll

Today's the Day for Seattle's New Highway 99 Tunnel Tolls

The long-awaited tolling of the new Highway 99 tunnel, which replaced the Alaskan Way Viaduct earlier this year, starts today.

November 9 - The Seattle Times

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