The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
The Federal Government Won’t Stop Home Appraisal Bias. Local Officials Can.
Racial bias in appraisals is still a problem — but there are steps we can take to fight back. Philadelphia's reforms are a model to follow.
LA Mall Garage Converted to 200 Housing Units
As indoor malls continue to struggle, more of them are being converted to housing and other uses.
Seattle Mayor Addresses Soaring Light Rail Costs
As the cost for Sound Transit’s light rail expansion keeps growing, Mayor Bruce Harrell promised to streamline permitting and communication to ensure the project is finished sooner.
Ann Arbor Traffic Stops for Minor Offenses Drop to Zero in August
A new policy bars Ann Arbor police officers from pulling people over for minor, non-dangerous equipment violations.
E-Scooter Use is on the Rise — But so are Injuries
With infrastructure and rider education lagging behind the growth of e-scooter systems, American ERs saw an 80 percent rise in e-scooter injuries between 2023 and 2024.
FEATURE
Cities Can be a Sensory Nightmare. Minnesota is Trying to Change That.
A state-wide effort to build 10,000 sensory-friendly spaces aims to set a new standard for inclusive design.
Anaheim Proposes Gondola Connecting Disneyland, Stadiums, Transit Center
The as-yet-unfunded project would connect major attractions along the city’s main artery.
Chicago Pilot Would Keep Bike and Bus Lanes Clear — Without the Police
A proposal supported by many city officials and road safety advocates would shift right-of-way enforcement to ‘Rapid Response Aides’ to free up police resources and clear blocked lanes more quickly.
Maryland Issues Executive Order to Create Affordable Housing on State-Owned Properties
Gov. Wes Moore’s order, which follows on the heels of an unsuccessful attempt to pass the housing reforms in the legislature, prioritizes transit-oriented development and streamlines permitting.
Sports Gambling Company Sponsors Suspended Philly Stadium Train Amidst SEPTA Cuts
After SEPTA announced it would have to cut the subway line that leads to Lincoln Field, FanDuel offered $80k to keep the train running for the season opener.
BLOG POST
August Must-Reads: Top 10 Articles From Last Month
In suburban Houston, cities are scrambling to expand water infrastructure to serve new communities. But can sprawl be part of a workable solution to the housing crisis?
‘Montana Miracle:’ The State Actually Succeeding at Housing Reform
A series of ambitious zoning reforms is having a significant impact on the state’s housing supply.
NYC’s ‘Rare and Comprehensive’ Public Data Reveals Congestion Pricing's Success
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s analytics and data team maintains over 180 regularly updated datasets about the city’s transportation system.
SF’s Muni Transit Slashes Budget as it Approaches Fiscal Cliff
The transit agency, which faces a $322 million budget deficit, has pledged to preserve current routes and schedules, but is making other cuts across the board.
Southern California City Using Robots to Make Sidewalks More Accessible
Irvine is deploying robots to assess accessibility issues on its sidewalks and trails network.
Pittsburgh Lawsuit Threatens Affordable Housing Requirement
A suit brought by a developers’ group calls the cost burden of the city’s inclusionary zoning law ‘unconstitutional.’
Judge Orders SEPTA to Stop Service Cuts, Fare Increases
The Philadelphia transit agency planned a ⅕ reduction in service and fare hikes to make up for its $213 million budget deficit.
FEATURE
In Defence of Vision Zero — a Traffic Engineer’s Perspective
Traffic engineers have long suffered the reputation that all we care about is moving cars. The reality could not be more different.
From Empty Spaces to Community Places: Why Nonprofits Belong on the Ground Floor of Affordable Housing
The results benefit residents, neighbors, and the organizations themselves.
NYC to Require 20% of Senior Housing be Multigenerational
The Senior Affordable Rental Apartments program now requires some two-bedroom units to accommodate adult children or other caregivers.
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.
