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Bus Bunching

BLOG POST

Transit Ridership, Part 2: Gentrification and Transit Ridership

One common explanation for recent declines in transit ridership is that gentrification has driven lower-income commuters into car-dependent suburbs. But does data bear this out?

February 6 - Michael Lewyn

South Central Los Angeles

What Community-Based Zoning Enforcement Looks Like in South Central Los Angeles

Passion for urban planning, love of South Central LA communities, and historical background of the neighborhoods combine in this personal account by Jonathan P. Bell of community-based zoning enforcement.

February 6 - UrbDeZine

Bike Cop

Law-Abiding Cyclists

Contrary to the opinion of many, cyclists do a better job versus drivers of obeying traffic laws

February 6 - Outside

Alaskan Way Seawall Construction

When the U.S. Economy Is 'Too Strong' to Spend on Infrastructure

A low unemployment rate means major investments by the federal government could ultimately harm the economy.

February 6 - FiveThirtyEight

Amtrak Suffers Third Fatal Crash in Less than Two Months

The crash in Cayce, South Carolina on Sunday killed the engineer and conductor riding in the Amtrak locomotive, injuring over 100 passengers and crew members. A locked switch had directed Amtrak #91 into a siding where it hit a parked CSX train.

February 6 - The State


Silicon Valley

Most California Cities Now Subject to State-Mandated Development Streamlining

Given that 97 percent of California cities aren't meeting their housing targets, SB 35, last year's landmark "by-right" housing bill, now applies to projects that contain varying amounts of affordable units.

February 6 - East Bay Times

Silicon Valley BRT

There Will Be No Bus Rapid Transit in the Silicon Valley

Local politicians and the public had years to review a proposal that would create dedicated lanes for bus service along El Camino as it cuts through the region. The project found very little support.

February 6 - Mountain View Voice


Census.gov shutdown message

Explained: The Risks Facing the 2020 Census

Why some experts are very concerned that Census 2020 will fail the democracy that depends on it.

February 6 - YouTube

Traffic

An Argument Against VMT Fees as Replacements for Gas Taxes

Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) fees are a bad way to pay for roads, according to an article by Joe Cortright.

February 6 - City Observatory

Hoboken, New Jersey

HUD Mulling Work Requirements and Higher Rents for Housing Assistance

More details of the Trump Administration's agenda at the Department of Housing and Urban Development were revealed late last week.

February 6 - The Intercept

Maryland

Sprawl and Stagnation—Housing Growth and its Discontents

Mapping housing production over the decades since the 1960s reveals a pattern that must be shifted to achieve the housing growth needed to face the economic and environmental challenges of the 21st century.

February 5 - Buildzoom

Pedestrian Bridge

State Legislation Would Clear CEQA Obstructions for Road and Transit Projects

One legislator believes CEQA "is a key barrier to California meeting its ambitious climate change goals.”

February 5 - Los Angeles Times

Road Closures and Lawsuits: Local Roads Cause a Legal Controversy in New Jersey

It's a familiar story: local residents don't want commuters cutting through their neighborhoods, and commuters are pushing back.

February 5 - NorthJersey.com

Gas

A Progressive Gas Tax?

One of the criticisms of gas taxes is that it is regressive, i.e., everyone pays the same per-gallon price. A Mississippi legislator has a solution: Eliminate the income tax on the lowest income bracket in exchange for hiking the gas tax 12-cents.

February 5 - Associated Press

Roundabout

USDOT and Waze Partner to Predict Fatal Crashes

USDOT hopes to put decades of data collection to new use preventing fatal collisions by predicting when they might occur.

February 5 - Eno Transportation Weekly

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Urban Design for Medical Students

A co-curricular program at a Philadelphia medical school integrates public health and city planning.

February 5 - Next City

Street Mural

Road Diet, Protected Bike Lane Coming to the Heart of Sacramento

Major changes are coming to one of Sacramento's busiest commercial and commuting corridors.

February 5 - Sacramento Bee

Telepgraph Avenue from UC Berkeley Campus 1981

Berkeley Mayor Condemns Legislation to Increase Housing Density by Transit

Mayor Jesse Arreguín's charges about permissible heights, demolition of rent-controlled housing and displacement that would result from Senate Bill 827 by Sen. Wiener are refuted in the Berkeleyside article, though the latter two have resonance.

February 5 - Berkeleyside

Industrial Uses

Upping the Ante on the Brooklyn Navy Yard

A new $2.5 billion building plan could reshape the Brooklyn Navy Yard, again.

February 5 - Bloomberg

Gentrification Protest

Why Housing Messaging Backfires

Despite decades of our raising the issue of displacement in the face of rising rents, many Americans still do not see this as a call-to-action or a failure of public policy. Here is why our housing messaging may be backfiring.

February 5 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

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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.