The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
How Local Park Agencies Contribute to Decarbonization Efforts
Park agencies play an important role in decarbonization by creating and managing parklands, promoting sustainable practices, and engaging communities to combat climate change and enhance public health and biodiversity.
New Jersey Bill Would Ease Permitting for Home-Based Businesses
The proposed law would eliminate the need for home-based business owners to undergo a review by their local zoning boards to encourage small entrepreneurship.
Cities, States Use AI and GIS to Make Permitting Less of a Pain
Across the country, state and local governments have turned to AI to optimize their building permitting processes. The efficiencies they’ve achieved are impressive and welcomed by applicants and government agencies alike.
Parking Ticket Revenue: Which Cities Earn Most?
A list of 15 cities with the highest per-capita parking enforcement revenue.
BLOG POST
Power Plants: A Win for the EPA
New rules from the US Environmental Protection Agency to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants survived an attempt by 25 Republican-led states to block their implementation while their case is litigated.
Senate Bill Proposes Federal Antitrust Review for Institutional Housing Investors
The bill would require private equity and other corporate investors to report housing purchases to the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice for antitrust review aimed at stopping anticompetitive transactions that would increase housing costs and push homeowners out of the market.
Millions in California at Risk Where Oil Wells and Wildfires Converge
Those living near oil and gas wells face increased risks from wildfires, which threaten these infrastructures and could lead to explosions, pollution, and other hazards, particularly affecting communities of color.
San Francisco Considers Nation’s First Ban on Rent-Setting Software
Property management software used by corporate landlords is under scrutiny for using algorithms populated by proprietary rental data to encourage their clients to collectively raise rents.
Eugene Explores New Decarbonization Strategies
The city is considering new decarbonization strategies, including carbon impact fees and educational programs, after the failure of a natural gas ban due to a federal court ruling.
L.A. County Expands Electric Vehicle Fleet to Combat Climate Change
Leading by example, the county is increasing its electric vehicle fleet to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability.
Slave Descendants in Georgia Fight to Overturn County Zoning Decision
Gullah-Geechee residents of Mcintosh County, Georgia, are seeking a referendum to reverse zoning changes they say threaten their community, one of the last in the South. County commissioners say they don’t have that power.
BLOG POST
Planning for Equity in an Ideologically Conservative Community
To support equity goals, planners must accommodate diverse ideological perspectives, including political environments that focus on functional fairness rather than demographic categories.
New L.A. County Raptor Rescue Center Aids Injured Birds of Prey
Located in San Dimas, the center rehabilitates and releases injured birds of prey like owls, hawks, and falcons, aiming to restore ecological balance and support biodiversity.
BLOG POST
Transport Policy: A Need for Advocacy and Vigilance
Policies are essential components of the realization of sustainable transport. Read about national plans, role of EVs and the nexus between physical activity and the transport sector in WTPP May 2024.
11 Most-Improved Bike Networks in the US
PeopleForBikes has evaluated bike networks in thousands of cities across the United States and identified several that have achieved “incredible increases” in just a few years.
FEATURE
The Good, the Bad, and the Ethical: A Moral Philosopher's Perspective on Sustainable Urban Mobility
In the United States, a nation marked by unparalleled car reliance, the environmental and health consequences of car dependency pose a significant ethical dilemma for urban planners, policymakers, and engineers.
Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Short-Term Rental Ordinance
A group of homeowners in Summit, Colorado, filed a federal lawsuit alleging that a local ordinance imposing short-term rental license caps and annual booking limits is unlawful and violates their rights.
Colorado Requires DOT to Reduce Emissions. Is it Working?
A new rule calling for emissions reduction plans as part of highway projects has led to two canceled road expansions and a shift toward greener transportation investments.
Industry Groups Sue BLM Over Public Lands Rule
Farmers, ranchers, and others are challenging a policy change that puts conservation on the same footing as other land uses.
Proposed NYC-to-Boston HSR Would Cut Trip to Under Two Hours
The proposed project would use a mix of new and old rail lines and bypass some cities to speed up the trip.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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.
