The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Living off the grid usually refers to a lifestyle choice to live far from power lines and other basic infrastructure that most of civilization takes for granted—until a natural disaster wipes it all out.

October 9 - The New York Times

The traditional dividing line between north and south will celebrate a major birthday this weekend.

October 9 - Pittsburg Post-Gazette

Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) have introduced bicameral, not bipartisan legislation to fund smart cities programs.

October 9 - Smart Cities Dive

A writer collects evidence from pop culture, literature, and more in painting a portrait of the American relationship to front lawns—crabgrass and all.

October 8 - The Chicago Tribune

NPR has identified a cultural phenomenon in rural America: craft beer is economic development—and a draw for young people.

October 8 - NPR via KPCC

Apparently, car companies thought giving drivers the option to voice command a bunch of smart phone apps would make driving safer.

October 8 - WTOP

The Denver Post gives a preview of some of the big questions facing Denver voters in November.

October 8 - The Denver Post

Nate will make landfall southeast of New Orleans on Saturday night as possibly a category 2 hurricane after leaving at least 22 dead in Central America. It's not so much the levees but the pumps and generators that have city officials worried.

October 8 - The New York Times

The NAACP does not believe the Trump Administration intends to make an honest count of the country's minority populations when it comes time to perform the 2020 Census.

October 7 - The Washington Post

There have been 100 traffic-related deaths on Denver’s streets since 2016, according to the Denver Post, but the city has decided that there will be no more traffic-related deaths by the year 2030.

October 7 - The Denver Post

Milwaukee's new streetcar line is expected to open in 2018, and riders won't have to pay for a ride for another year, thanks to a lucrative sponsorship deal.

October 7 - Urban Milwaukee

The effort to repeal tax and fee increases resulting from the state's first successful gas tax legislation in 28* years received great news from a Sacramento superior court judge who tossed the attorney general's misleading title for their measure.

October 7 - Los Angeles Times

Parking needs to be balanced with new development that supports active modes of transportation, integrates a complete streets approach, and values a high-quality public realm. Comprehensive plans can help achieve this balance.

October 7 - PlanIt - Metropolitan Council

Traffic safety projects, and with it the city of Los Angeles' Vision Zero and Great Streets initiatives, have been dealt disappointing setbacks in recent months.

October 6 - Los Angeles Times

Following Hurricane Harvey, Houston's City Hall became flooded with four feet of water, rendering the building's electrical and mechanical equipment useless. Restoring power back to City Hall quickly was crucial in aiding the recovery efforts.

October 6 - Doggerel

It's still illegal to convert rental units into short-term rentals that act as a hotel business in Washington, D.C. A high-profile legal settlement will thus send a bumper crop of rental units back to the market.

October 6 - Greater Greater Washington

Utah's I-15 express lanes are suffering PM peak-hour congestion. The maximum charge is $1 per zone. The Transportation Commission will vote to double it, but the chair of a key legislative committee suggests charging "what the market will bear."

October 6 - The Salt Lake Tribune

A new map reveals the scale of the food desert challenge in Cleveland and environs.

October 6 - The Plain Dealer

Not only did Hurricane Maria destroy most of Puerto Rico's man-made infrastructure, it also defoliated the island's vast tropical forests, upsetting the forest ecology—in the short term.

October 6 - NPR

The National Physical Activity Plan Alliance gave the United States an F for walkability because of its lack of pedestrian infrastructure.

October 6 - Fast Company