The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Trains keep blocking roads in Texas like crazy. $756 million in new funding aims to fix that
Over the last five years, the Federal Railroad Administration has received 150 reports of trains blocking one of the sites slated for a project.
SpaceX to build its largest-ever, $100 billion spaceport in Louisiana
The Louisiana Economic Development agency expects the project to create 3,000 direct jobs.
Atlanta Beltline’s free automated shuttle expands service
A $1.75 million grant funded the autonomous shuttle service’s growth.
Courts order EPA to release billions in climate grants
The grants primarily funded projects aimed at Black, low-income and disadvantaged communities.
$138 billion Texas transportation plan to prioritize “Clear Lanes” congestion relief, highway construction
The plan includes $95 billion for transportation projects using existing state and federal revenue sources and $45 billion for project development and maintenance.
Tennessee advances $9.2 billion toll lane expansion project
The lanes will run along 26 miles of interstate, and toll prices will fluctuate depending on demand.
Massachusetts judge slaps HUD with restraining order over Fair Housing changes
HUD’s changes included asking applicants how their award would advance the Administration’s priorities on “gender ideology,” “faith-based activities” and immigration.
LA needs $2 billion in Olympic Games transportation funding by Sept. 1, officials say
Congresspeople who serve the Los Angeles area met on Aug. 26 to urge the Trump administration to speed up funding.
San Fernando Valley commits $2.34 billion to first light rail phase
The contract funds utility relocation, pre-construction work, and tracks and stations along Van Nuys Boulevard.
FEATURE
The new Texas law declawing NIMBYs
State lawmakers gutted an old Jim Crow-era state law that required a city council supermajority to approve a new housing development if neighbors petitioned the proposal.
Trump to allow infrastructure along highways, railways in bid to bypass reviews
By building lines close to existing infrastructure, Trump aims to lower costs and bypass environmental oversight and opposition from local communities.
Over half of NYC luxury second properties may be exempt from pied-à-terre tax
Complicated laws around buildings owned by LLCs are making it difficult for NYC officials to determine which buildings can be taxed.
EPA to kill law requiring states to inform the public about new data centers
Over 200 advocacy groups and a dozen states have voiced opposition to this change.
Feds want to stop notifying landowners about drilling under their land
The proposal also asks to reduce the public comment period for the BLM’s leasing decisions from 90 days to 10.
122 ‘carbon major’ companies to blame for half of the West’s lost water
A first-of-its-kind study found that “carbon major” companies drained the west of trillions of gallons of water.
BLOG POST
Does every planner need an AI policy?
From a hundred-person agency to a one-person consultancy, the answer is yes. The difference is what “policy" means.
South Dakota tribes drove a mining company off sacred land in one week
Land disputes between tribes and the federal government often take much longer to resolve.
NYC creates fast track court for tenants in unsafe housing
Owners of buildings with vacate orders or major safety problems will have five days to answer the complaints in court.
Washington and Oregon receive first new Amtrak trains in decades
The Airo trains promise shorter commutes, more frequent trips and fewer emissions than their predecessors.
Trump’s new $1.2 billion border wall segment to cut through nature preserve
Opponents expressed concerns about the wall's impact on preserving wildlife and serene views.
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
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.
