The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

I-94

Wisconsin Law Could Delay Major Highway Projects

A plan to save money on highway megaprojects is likely to backfire, experts warn.

January 5 - Urban Milwaukee

Gwinnett County

Atlanta Commuters Outspend the Rest of the Country

The commute costs Atlanta residents more than in any other city, according to new analysis by Educated Driver.

January 5 - Atlanta Journal Constitution

Cattle Farmers

Meeting the Challenge of Feeding 10 Billion People Sustainably in 2050

With world population to grow by about 2 billion by 2050, and with more people eating higher on the food chain as nations develop economically, can world agriculture reduce its carbon footprint? A new World Resources Institute report shows how.

January 5 - Forbes

Insulation

New York City Polystyrene Ban Took Effect New Year's Day

Thanks to two recent New York State court rulings, disposable food and beverage containers will no longer be made from polystyrene in the nation's largest city. The ban was originally proposed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in February 2013.

January 4 - The New York Times


Chattahoochee River

Master Plan Strives for a 'Seamless' Chattahoochee River for the Atlanta Region

A comprehensive study to revitalize the Atlanta regional waterfront, dubbed the Chattahoochee RiverLands project, is now underway.

January 4 - Saporta Report

Belltown Seattle

End of Seattle Freeway and Tunnel Is a Green Opportunity

A community initiative says demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and closure of the Battery Street Tunnel offer a chance to turn a series of green infrastructure ideas into reality.

January 4 - The Urbanist


Newark

Affordable Housing Cap-and-Trade Idea Resurfaces

In New Jersey, a cap-and-trade system existed for two decades and appeared to just perpetuate housing and social inequities. But now legislators and researchers are considering it again.

January 4 - CityLab

Orca in Washington

Washington State Budget Makes Puget Sound Orcas a Priority

Southern Resident orca numbers are distressingly low. The proposed budget would fund a number of measures to help the whales.

January 4 - Crosscut

Imaginary Maps

Friday Funny: Imagining Taco Bell-Oriented Rail Transit

A Reddit user created a transit map of the San Francisco Bay Area that connects Taco Bell locations, which, unlike rail public transit, have reached every corner of the region.

January 4 - Reddit

Bus Stop and Bike Lane

Downtown Seattle Corridor Gets Visioning Treatment

A stakeholder group hopes to create a pedestrian- and business-friendly streetscape in Downtown Seattle.

January 4 - The Urbanist

Grand Rounds Bike Path Minneapolis

Minneapolis Plan Could Finally Complete Grand Rounds Trail Extension

Linking up the last part of the Grand Rounds trail would create a continuous pedestrian and biking loop around the city.

January 4 - MinnPost

Ontario, Canada

Ontario May Strip Protections from Toronto Greenbelt

A proposed bill would open nearly 2 million acres of protected land to commercial and industrial development.

January 4 - TVO

Amtrak Pennsylvanian

Friday Eye Candy: Animation Shows Every Amtrak Train in Motion

All aboard.

January 4 - Greater Greater Washington

Global warming and pollution

EPA Targets Co-Benefits in Rulemaking—Public Health to Suffer

The Environmental Protection Agency proposed a critical change in the cost-benefit analysis used in the mercury rule that applies to coal-fired power plants. By eliminating the principle of co-benefits, public health impacts would be severe.

January 3 - The Washington Post

Paradise, California

LA Times: Poor Planning Sealed Paradise's Fate

The planning history of Paradise, California is blamed for the destruction of the city in the Camp Fire. Can planners find new models for both limiting carbon emissions and preparing for the effects of climate change?

January 3 - Los Angeles Times

Utah

Legislation Would Loosen Zoning for TOD and ADUs, Require Housing Plans From Cities in Utah

State preemption, in the form major zoning reforms and mandates for local housing targets, are on the table in the Utah Legislature this year.

January 3 - The Salt Lake Tribune

New York Subway

Breaking: Gov. Cuomo Cancels L Train Closure

Surprise, shocking news from New York City, as Governor Andrew Cuomo steps in at the 11th hour to change course on the highly anticipated (and dreaded) L Train closure scheduled to begin later this year.

January 3 - The New York Times

Seattle Stadiums

Seattle Releases RFP for Lid I-5 Study

The plan to top I-5 in Seattle with a cap park—what writer Natalie Bicknell calls "the most ambitious effort in our region"—is moving ahead with a $1.5 million feasibility study.

January 3 - The Urbanist

Austin Texas

Apple Is Going Suburban Rather Than Urban in Austin

Apple has plans to build a new campus and expand its Texas workforce. The decision to expand to an Austin suburb points to both regional and national trends and outcomes.

January 3 - CityLab

Post News

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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.