The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Cooling Costs to Hit 10-Year High This Summer
Longer, more intense heat waves are driving up cooling costs and putting low-income households at higher risk for heat-related illnesses.

Chicago Considers Sidewalk Snow Removal Pilot
The program would keep sidewalks clear of snow in areas with heavy foot traffic, but some aldermen say it would cost too much.

MTA Rolls Out Congestion Pricing Exemption, Discount
People with disabilities that prevent them from using transit can apply for an exemption from the congestion pricing scheme.

Boston Commuter Rail Recovering Rapidly
The ‘T’ is reworking its schedule to offer more reliable and flexible service, including more midday and weekend trains.

New Bike Lanes Coming to Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles is adding 3.6 miles of new protected bike lanes in East Hollywood.

The Growing Role of Federal Government in Disaster Relief
As flooding, fires, and other disasters become more destructive, an effective response requires more resources than local governments can offer.

California’s Largest Natural Lake Turns Green With … Algae
A potentially toxic algal bloom has turned Clear Lake in Northern California bright green, fed by increased runoff from human activity.

Michigan Proposal to Attract Data Centers Garners Criticism
The state legislature is poised to pass a law that would bring more data centers to the state, but critics say the move would threaten the state’s climate goals.

Home Equity Takings Case Will Move Forward, Federal Judge Rules
Two plaintiffs in Greenfield, Massachusetts, have accused city officials of violating the Takings Clause after the city foreclosed on their properties to recoup unpaid property taxes and then kept all the equity.

Study: Bike Lane Prompts Reduced Traffic Speeds
Marking a bike lane with cones or other delineators can dramatically reduce driving speeds in adjacent traffic lanes.

Connecticut Cities Slow to Submit Affordable Housing Plans
Per a 2017 state law, all cities and towns must submit plans for providing enough housing in their jurisdictions, but a lack of clarity and enforcement mechanisms gives the law little real power.

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A Win for ‘Keep it in the Ground’
Coal mining in Wyoming will take a major hit as a result of a U.S. Department of Interior plan to cease future leasing of coal mines in the nation's most productive coal mining basin. The decision casts a spotlight on the presidential election.

Caltrans Sued Over I-80 Expansion Plan
Environmental groups argue that the agency purposely split the project into two phases to obscure the true impact of expanded road capacity.

Lake Tahoe Leans on Microtransit to Address Traffic
On-demand transit is helping make transportation around the resort area more convenient, but the region still lacks connectivity via a fixed-route bus system.

The Changing Nature of Wilderness
U.S. public lands management is undergoing a slow but significant shift.

Tallest Building in US Proposed for OKC
The building would stand 1,907 feet high, twice as tall as any other building in the Oklahoma City skyline.

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The 15 Fastest-Growing Cities in the US
The U.S. Census Bureau released new 2023 population estimates on May 16 showing a slew of data for cities of all sizes and regions. Do you know the population change last year for the 15 largest cities in your state?

Plans for Nashville’s First Chinatown Underway
Developers are working on a new cultural commercial development that will offer unique Asian architecture, culture, shopping, restaurant, and retail services to Nashvillians and visitors from surrounding cities and states.

Is Charlotte Overselling Plan to Expand Transit?
Even if voters approve a new one-cent transit sales tax, will Charlotte be able to deliver on its promise of two new commuter rail lines and a new bus rapid transit line?

New Playbook Aims to Accelerate Housing Supply in the US.
As communities across the country work to address massive housing shortage and affordability issues, a new guide from the American Planning Association and the National League of Cities can help decision-makers chart a clear path forward.
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