The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Close-up of hand in white surgical glove holding up clear vial with water sample with lake surrounded by green trees in background.

Study: Lakes Near Communities of Color Less Inspected for Water Quality

The research is the first of its kind to analyze the relationship between freshwater monitoring and the race and ethnicity of nearby communities.

September 11 - MSU Today

Multistory apartment building under construction with yellow crane.

Experts Say Zoning Reform Isn’t Likely to Solve Housing Crisis

A survey by Fannie Mae found widespread skepticism among housing experts that zoning reforms will be enacted widely enough to make a major impact on U.S. housing supply.

September 11 - Housing Wire

Nashville MTA transit bus at station on street.

Nashville Transit Ridership Back to Pre-Covid Levels

Local bus ridership is recovering quickly, hitting 2.2 million riders in the last quarter of FY 2023-2024.

September 11 - Mass Transit

People waiting to board subway train on platform in New York City.

NYC DOT Podcast Makes Transportation Planning Accessible

‘Curb Enthusiasm’ features transportation experts and discussions on local, national, and global transportation planning topics.

September 11 - New York City Department of Transportation

Woman rides a bike in green painted bike lane in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Could Start Citing Drivers for Blocking Bike Lanes

City officials will consider several road safety bills that include higher penalties for stopping in bike lanes and an assessment of the city’s Vision Zero funding.

September 11 - Philly Voice


Mexico City, Florida

FEATURE

Commentary: Ensuring a Sustainable Future for Hurricane-Vulnerable Rural Communities Is Imperative

As we brace for the second half of the 2024 hurricane season, we need to take serious action to help rural communities recover and build greater resilience against hurricanes.

September 11 - John Travis Marshall

Food trucks in front of Colorado State Capitol.

Denver Bans Downtown Food Trucks — Again

City officials say the controversial policy, first enacted in 2022, is an effort to reduce crime in the nightlife district.

September 10 - Axios


Three yellow excavators at a road construction site with elevated roadway in background.

Reconsidering Travel Behavior in an Era of Decarbonization

It is time to reconsider assumptions about how much and how people want to travel. Per capita vehicle travel has saturated. Many people would prefer to drive less and rely more on non-auto modes, provided they are convenient and affordable.

September 10 - Travel Behaviour Reconsidered in an Era of Decarbonisation

Sign above entrance of United States Department of Transportation.

USDOT Issues $1B in Road Safety Grants

The funding is aimed at helping cities plan and implement safety improvement projects to reduce road deaths and major crashes.

September 10 - Route Fifty

Close-up on protester holding Affordable Housing Now sign.

Federal Policies for Creating Permanent Affordable Housing

An Urban Institute analysis outlines three ways federal lawmakers can support housing programs that provide permanent affordable housing for the households that need it most.

September 10 - Urban Institute

Houston Metro Bus

Houston Transit Agencies Offer ‘Free Fare Fridays’ for Ozone Action Month

Harris County is one of several Texas counties that failed EPA standards for clean air in recent years.

September 10 - Houston Public Media

View from back of woman walking on well-lit small paved path at night.

How Effective Street Lighting Improves Women’s Mobility

A lack of effective lighting in streets, parks, and transit stations limits the places where many women and other vulnerable groups feel safe traveling at night.

September 10 - The Guardian

Evening view of downtown St. Paul, Minnesota across Mississippi River.

Officials Kill St. Paul Streetcar, BRT Proposals

The proposed transit lines would have linked the St. Paul airport, downtown, and the Mall of America.

September 10 - Yahoo News

For Rent sign in window on white tiled wall.

DC Affordable Housing Faces ‘Existential Crisis’

Housing developers in the District say the industry is on the verge of collapse due to ballooning unpaid rent debts.

September 10 - Bisnow

Close-up of yellow and black 'Pedestrians Ahead' sign with blurred farmhouse and road in background.

Traffic Deaths Dip for Ninth Straight Quarter

Traffic deaths around the country are showing a slow but steady decline, but fatalities remain above pre-pandemic levels.

September 9 - Land Line

Vacant lot on hillside in East Los Angeles.

Envisioning a New Park in East Los Angeles

Los Angeles County is working towards transforming underutilized land into a vibrant pocket park in the City Terrace neighborhood of East LA.

September 9 - Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation

Happy students walking together on university campus, chatting and laughing outdoors after classes.

BLOG POST

Planning Your Planning Degree

In the Northern Hemisphere, many students are starting urban planning degree programs. How can students position themselves for a productive and meaningful education in planning.

September 9 - Ann Forsyth

Green highway sign with white text with distances for Palmdale, Lancaster, and Los Angeles, California.

Rising Heat Threatens Growing California Cities

Many rapidly growing inland California cities are facing increased extreme heat days due to climate change, putting more residents at risk of health issues and overwhelming local infrastructure.

September 9 - Cal Matters

COTA Bus

Columbus, Ohio's High-Frequency Transit Future Up for Vote in November

Despite being the nation’s 14th largest city, Columbus, Ohio has no high-capacity transit. That could change this November as city officials put a levy before voters that would provide $6.2 billion by 2050 to fund an ambitious bus rapid transit system.

September 9 - Columbus Dispatch

Pioneer Square, Seattle

Symposium Highlights the Crucial Role of Trees in Combatting Extreme Heat

Experts emphasize that planting and maintaining trees in urban areas is essential for reducing extreme heat, cooling cities, and preventing heat-related illnesses, especially as heatwaves become more frequent and severe.

September 9 - ABC 7 Eyewitness News

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Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

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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.