The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Video: Jane Jacobs’ ‘Sidewalk Ballet’ is Alive and Well
“Streets Make Cities” takes viewers on a stroll down West 4th Street in Greenwich Village, illustrating the many ways that streets and sidewalks form the lifeblood of a city.
SF Street Safety Act Replaces Expired Vision Zero Plan
In 2025, 15 people have died in crashes in San Francisco, putting the city far behind its goal of eliminating traffic deaths by 2024.
Opinion: Far From Cauldrons of Violence, Cities are Anti-Crime Innovators
Rather than funding the performative militarization of law enforcement, the federal government could instead support programs that prevent poverty and crime before it happens.
One Federal Low-Income Housing Program is Actually Being Expanded
Recent changes to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program could lead to over a million new housing units, but cuts to adjacent and complementary programs could limit its impact.
USDOT Pulls Funding from Projects not “Car-Focused” Enough in Connecticut, New Mexico, Illinois
The department is sending letters to local officials rescinding multimodal grants, saying the money will instead be focused on projects that “promote vehicular travel.”
Floating Light Rail Bridge Crossing Marks Historic Moment for Seattle Transit
Once testing is complete, Sound Transit will open the world’s first light rail line that uses a floating bridge connecting downtown Seattle to the Eastside.
After Years of Success, Houston Sees Spike in Unsheltered Homelessness
Unsheltered homelessness rose by 16 percent in 2025 despite the city’s previous success in reducing the number of people living on the streets.
NYC's Ferry System is Quietly Breaking Ridership Records
The system, which is planning an expansion, carried over 7.4 million passengers in 2024.
Housing Groups Sue HUD Over “Unconstitutional and Unlawful” Grant Requirements
The lawsuit claims HUD cannot restrict funding based on political alignment that is out of the control of housing agencies.
Car Trips are Down, With Young People Leading the Charge
Americans are driving less, and we have Gen Z to thank for it.
Texas Could Have the Nation’s 3 Largest Cities by 2100. Are They Ready to Embrace Density?
Houston, Dallas, and Austin are growing fast. The old sprawl model is no longer sustainable.
Amtrak Trains Get Priority Over Freight in Legal Settlement
Freight operator Norfolk Southern has agreed to prioritize Amtrak trains and work with the agency to identify the cause of delays on the Crescent line.
DOT, FTA Launch Investigation After Charlotte Transit Murder
Federal agencies are calling on Charlotte’s transit agency to prepare a security plan and outline efforts to prevent future violence after a woman was fatally stabbed on the city’s light rail system.
BLOG POST
Meet the Columnist Behind our new Limited Series: Transit Planning 101!
Between now and December, Chicago transit planner — and operator! — Joshua Woods will bring Planetizen readers back to school for a deep dive into what it takes to keep the bus running. Literally.
BLOG POST
Wow, These Bus Stops are Close Together! The Case for Bus Stop Balancing.
Appropriate bus stop spacing keeps the bus moving and ensures people get where they need to be in a reliable amount of time.
San Francisco Mayor’s ‘Family Zoning’ Plan Faces Pushback, Displacement Concerns
Newly proposed legislation aims to protect long-term tenants from displacement caused by Mayor Lurie’s proposed zoning reform plan, which would allow for more housing construction in parts of the city.
Washington Nonprofits Build Housing on Their own Offices
While affordable housing with some office space for nonprofits is relatively common, in Redmond, Washington, a group of human services organizations went the other way: they rebuilt their collective office space and added housing.
Chicago Residents Sue City Over Inaccessible Sidewalks
The suit alleges the city has failed to create a “coordinated, proactive system” for complying with ADA and ensuring accessibility on the city’s sidewalks and crosswalks.
ICE Raids Are Eroding Tenant Rights for Immigrant Households
It’s getting tougher for immigrant communities to believe they still have rights as renters—even if they are living in the country legally. Here’s how tenant organizers are helping these communities push back against ICE and the landlords who are weaponizing the current political environment.
FEATURE
The “Hundred Mile” Yard Sales That Turn Rural Highways into Treasure Trails
From Kentucky to Florida to Washington State, a delightful culture of impossibly long yard sales helps communities thrive.
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.
