The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

The Two Faces of Trump's Infrastructure Plan
The president spent Infrastructure Week touting a $1 trillion infrastructure investment plan that has yet to materialize, unlike the elimination of an essential grant program in his 2018 budget that will be detrimental to over 50 transit projects.

How State Governments Can Support Urban Revitalization
States have tremendous power to constrict or enable policy at the local level. A new report offer guidance in getting states and localities on the same page for the sake of urban revitalization.

'Green Light for Great Streets' Initiative Aims to Remove Traffic Safety Roadblocks
Too often, the word "streamlined" is applied to transportation projects at the expense of safety and liveability. The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) would like to switch that dynamic.

New York Lawmaker Would End New Marketing Nicknames for Neighborhoods
There will be no SoHa (South Harlem), if the state approves new legislation that allows the city to block real estate brokers from assigning new shorthand to neighborhoods in the hopes of boosting real estate listings.

Awarding the Best Ideas for Successful Cities
The Knight Foundation asked: "What’s your best idea to make cities more successful?" When it came time to pick the best ideas, design and planning ideas for places like Wichita, Biloxi, and Akron emerged.

New Web Based Tool Helps to 'Design Your Town'
A new tool produced by the Regional Plan Association, the Orange County Department of Planning, the Pace University Land Use Law Center, and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy offers a starting point for people with big ideas.

Huge Swath of Land Preserved in Pennsylvania's Fastest Growing County
Preservationists have bought one reprieve from the ongoing expansion of developed land in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

The Next Baby Boom: Urban Millennials with Children
Affordable urban living for millennial families with children has the potential to become one of the largest market demands in the near future.

60 Years On, the Planned City of Columbia, Maryland Holds Up Against Change
The design for the planned city of Columbia, Maryland continues to influence new developments around the world.
Renewable Natural Gas and Electricity Should Power Los Angeles Bus Fleet
It's not one or the other but both, argues Denny Zane of Move LA in a guest commentary for the Los Angeles Daily News about the decision that Los Angeles County Metro will make on June 22 on the future of the nation's second largest bus fleet.

Voter Backlash Expected From Gas Tax Hike
There's a reason it can take decades to increase gas taxes — and many California legislators may soon found out why in November 2018, if not earlier. On November 1 of this year, state gas taxes will increase 12 cents per gallon.

The Best of the Best Complete Streets Policies
Complete streets policies are keeping planners busy across the country. An annual report features the best of the best when it comes to transforming city streets for the safety and activity of all users.

Commuting by Kayak Across Lake Austin
This story about man whose commute to work involves "water like glass" and chirping birds might make car commuters and straphangers envious.

Des Moines Has a Plan to 'Connect Downtown'
Des Moines is considering an ambitious complete streets makeover of its downtown streets.

Gay Neighborhoods Are Getting More and More Expensive
Trulia has created a "Neighborhood Pride Score" to determine the communities with the largest gay populations. Access to those neighborhoods comes at a high price.

Seattle Releases Draft Rezonings for its 'Urban Villages'
Seattle is planning to add height and density in "urban villages" around the city—part of the growth and affordability goals targeted by previous planning efforts by the city.
The Silent Expansion of Fiscal Control Boards in the U.S.
The power and process of boards that take control of a city or territory's finances is becoming more generalized, although they affect local democracy, impose austerity measures without controls, and lack mechanisms to evaluate their efficiency.

Downzoning in the Hopes of Attracting Prestige Businesses
South Side Chicago Alderman Leslie Hairston says downzoning 71st will help 'take control of our corridor,' but some worry the move is a power grab that will ultimately stifle prospects for the neighborhood.

Trump Ends Infrastructure Week by Streamlining the Permitting Process
President Trump made a compelling case for reducing the length of time needed to construct major infrastructure projects to justify the creation of a new White House council to streamline permitting. Only one problem: it already exists.

New York Unveils Design Guidelines for Climate Resiliency
New York is piloting new building design guidelines aimed at improving the city's climate resiliency.
Pagination
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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.