The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Opinion: How Fire Chiefs and Traffic Engineers Make Places Less Safe
Fire standards and street design manuals, meant to protect people, actually make them less safe by damaging walkability and encouraging driving—a classic example of silo thinking.

Where Millennials Are Entering the Homebuying Market
LendingTree ranks the most popular cities for Millennial homebuyers.

Islands of the World Get Their Own Smart Congress
After six years of successful Smart City Expo World Congresses in Barcelona, the island of Majorca will host one that focuses exclusively on islands. It will focus on technology and innovation, and address unique challenges islands face.

Most Large U.S. Cities Now Home to Mostly Renters
The foreclosure crisis and the Great Recession have paved the way for a steady decline in homeownership. Many cities will never be the same.

Today: BART Goes Farther South Than Ever Before
As it has promised for years, Bay Area Rapid Transit today opens the Warm Springs/South Fremont extension of the regional rail transit system. The first train departs at the station at 5:48 am, and the first train arrives at 7:04 am.

Miami Bike Bridge Proposed
After four crashes that led to deaths of four cyclists riding the Rickenbacker Causeway, a new bike bridge has been proposed in Miami.

Friday Fun: The 50 Best Food Trucks In the U.S.
Feast your eyes on a list by Modern Cities of the 50 best food trucks in the United States.
Disabled Residents in Jefferson Park Hope Controversial Building Comes Through
Apartment building with subsidized units for the disabled has drawn protest and support, Alex Nitkin talked to some of the people hoping to move into the apartments.

Volkswagen Emissions Cheating Scandal Produces Land Use Lawsuit in Michigan
The city of Pontiac has filed a lawsuit over the illegal storage of hundreds of Volkswagen vehicles. The vehicles have mothballed at the Pontiac Silverdome as a result of the buy-back program necessitated by the 2016 emissions cheating scandal.
Can Insurance Markets Jump-Start Resilience?
Risk-management experts are seeking creative ways to finance resilience investments that prevent damage from natural disasters. Insurance markets, with their direct stake in protecting homes and businesses, can be key partners in this effort.

Veterans Ride Free on Kansas City Buses
The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) has partnered with veterans group to provide free transit to the city's veterans.

Transportation Sales Tax Advances in Colorado Legislature
A bill to ask voters in November to increase the state sales tax by 0.62 percent to fund transportation projects passed its first House committee March 22 on a partisan vote, with Democrats in support and Republican opposed.

Can Rideshare Catch On Where It's Easy to Drive?
In medium-sized cities and suburban areas, it's simply easier to drive your own car in most cases. But shared rides might still have a chance to catch on.

Surprising Trump Effect: Many States Seek to Ramp-Up Renewable Energy Mandates
As President Trump rolls back climate and energy regulations, many states are attempting to require utilities to get more power from renewable sources. Also, fewer states are attempting to reduce or eliminate renewable energy requirements.

Cleveland Pastors Travel to Detroit to Send Message About Stadium Renovation
The Greater Cleveland Congregations protested the Cavaliers Stadium renovation in front of Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert's Quicken Loans headquarters in Detroit.

Friday Funny: Only the Onion Would Offer These 'Tips for Urban Biking'
The satirical site The Onion produces a set of totally invented, not-to-be-rusted safety tips for riding a bike in cities. We're not sure whether to laugh or cry.

FEATURE
New Planning Initiatives Strive for Equity in Baltimore
The Planners Across America series visits Maryland for an interview with Baltimore Planning Director Tom Stosur.

New Census Data Confirms: Suburban Areas Lead U.S. Growth
Post-recession population growth in the United States looks a lot like pre-recession growth in the United States. As some have predicted or already noticed: the story of U.S. growth is still suburban.

Chicago Red Light Cameras Making Streets Safer, Study Finds
A Northwestern University study found that Chicagoans ran fewer red lights after cameras were installed, even at intersections that don't have cameras.

How to Get By-Right Zoning Right
By-right zoning is seen as a critical strategy to help solve the affordable housing crisis. Here's how to get the process correct.
Pagination
Tyler Technologies
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
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.