The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Tucson, Arizona

Exploring Options for Tucson-Phoenix Rail

Brightline, a private train operator, is an intriguing option for train service to some rail advocates.

December 26 - Arizona Daily Star

Indoor Grow Room

California Pot Farms Stink (Literally), Say Neighbors

Officials overseeing cannabis implementation are having to deal with residents’ complaints that the smell from marijuana operations is overwhelming.

December 26 - The New York Times

Solar and Wind Energy

Op-Ed: Cities Leading the Charge to 100 Percent Clean Energy

Four mayors hammer home the point that moving to 100 percent clean energy on the municipal level is environmentally, economically, and politically desirable.

December 26 - Next City

Monorail. Las Vegas

Mobility Plans and Dynamic Planning

A new survey by Governing and living Cities examines what it takes for cities to innovate.

December 26 - Governing

U.S. Capital

Year in Review: The APA's Advocacy Work in Washington, D.C.

The APA noted that the 115th Congress was "marked by divisive rhetoric, partisan stalemates, and threats to programs on which local communities rely." At the end of the year, however, it could still celebrate substantial victories.

December 26 - American Planning Association


People

Black-White Segregation Decreasing, Slowly

Segregation is decreasing, even in America’s most segregated big cities.

December 26 - The Brookings Institute

Chicago Transit

Chicago Gets Federal Money for TOD Planning Efforts to Accompany Red Line Extension

The long-discussed 130th Street Red Line stop gets federal money for planning transit-oriented development to accompany the proposed new station.

December 26 - Streetsblog


Sunnyside Yard

Previewing NYC's Next Big Megadevelopment

Sunnyside Yard, a 180-acre railroad yard in Queens, is in the initial stages of a planning process that may eventually bring development surpassing the scale of Hudson Yards. This time, it is hoped, there will be greater focus on affordability.

December 26 - Intelligencer - New York Magazine

Oslo Street

In Oslo, Streets for People, Not Cars

New measures will greatly reduce vehicle traffic in the city center as Oslo moves to put pedestrians, cyclists, and air quality before cars.

December 25 - The New York Times

Texas

A Growing Texas City Rethinks its Transportation Plan

The city of San Marcos, located halfway between Austin and San Antonio, recently adopted its first transportation plan update since 2004.

December 25 - Community Impact Newspaper

San Francisco Muni Buses

Too Many Conferences Miss the Bus

Nonprofits often advocate for local transit spending, but when we gather, we seem to forget these values. How would we know what the transit of a given city is like if we never ride their buses?

December 25 - Shelterforce Magazine

Growth Chart

Population Growth at 80-Year Low

William H. Frey reveals the most important takeaways from the recent population data released by the U.S. Census, and recommends the country focus on caring for an aging population and leveraging immigration for economic growth.

December 25 - Brookings

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City Wins Federal Money for BRT Planning

Money would be used to begin work on a bus service that would connect downtown Oklahoma City with the northwest Side.

December 25 - OKNews

Seattle, Elevated Highway

Dealing With the 'Seattle Squeeze'

Sections of the Alaskan Way Viaduct will begin closing on January 4, 2019. The city's new tunnel to replace the route doesn't open until February.

December 24 - The Urbanist

Pennsylvania Borough's Rezoning Snags on Last-Minute Public Opposition

The borough of Homestead, Pennsylvania, just outside of Pittsburgh, is in the middle of its first comprehensive planning process since 2001.

December 24 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

New York MTA

Street Reconfiguration Work Anticipates L Train Closure in Brooklyn

More priority will be given buses as 275,000 daily commuters find new ways to and from work while the L Train is closed for repairs in New York City.

December 24 - Crain's New York Business

Venezuela

Lamenting the Decline of Caracas, Once the 'Jewel of Latin America'

"A generation ago, Venezuela’s capital was one of Latin America’s most thriving, glamorous cities; an oil-fuelled, tree-lined cauldron of culture that guidebooks hailed as a mecca for foodies, night owls and art fans."

December 24 - The Guardian

Japan Shared Space

Japan Offers Up Free Abandoned Houses

Due to an aging populace, lackluster construction quality, and other factors, Japan is facing a glut of abandoned homes. For those with the ability to live there, these homes can be had for next to nothing.

December 24 - Fast Company

City of Las Vegas

New Traffic Management Tech Coming to Downtown Las Vegas

The city of Las Vegas is experimenting with a new traffic management partnership that will add traffic cameras and sensors to the streets in its innovation district.

December 23 - Smart Cities Dive

Atlanta Aerial

Atlanta’s Planning Commissioner Won’t Tolerate Bad Design Any Longer

Tim Keane says quality design isn’t negotiable and developers need to aim higher.

December 23 - SaportaReport

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