The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio's Pricey Sky Gondola Goes Full Stop

The sky gondola system built prior to the Rio Olympics has ground to a halt, leaving residents of the city's favelas with little to show for such a grand investment in infrastructure.

March 1 - DW.com

North Dakota

State Legislation Could Make Parking Meters Legal in North Dakota Again

A law making its way through the North Dakota Legislative Assembly would challenge a prevailing assumption in the state that free parking is a human right.

March 1 - The Wall Street Journal

Downtown Kansas City

On-Demand Public Transit in Kansas City Leaves a Lot to Be Desired

Kansas City's novel effort to handle transit’s last mile problem has failed to attract ridership.

March 1 - TransitCenter

Binoculars Building

Tech Success Contrasts With Immigrants' Peril In Los Angeles

The 800,000 undocumented immigrants in Los Angeles County are at the opposite end of the socioeconomic spectrum from the 1,900 employees at Snapchat. The fate of both populations have deep implications for L.A.'s housing crisis.

March 1 - California Planning & Development Report

Placemaking: Geek Niche or the Root of Pretty Much Everything?

Placemaking: what does the term really mean? And how it can most effectively serve the needs of the most people. Scott Doyon shares some ideas.

March 1 - PlaceShakers


Biketown, Portland, Bike Share

Portland's Biketown to Include 'Adaptive Bikes' to Ensure Universal Access

The city of Portland is wearing the Yellow Jersey on equity issues connected to the Biketown bikeshare system.

March 1 - Bike Portland

Little Tokyo Los Angeles

How Los Angeles Can Design for Density

Good urban design can make growth more appealing.

March 1 - Streetsblog LA


Market Street, Center City

Council Proposes Plan for Transit-Oriented Development in Philadelphia

Philadelphia City Council seeks ways to spur development without creating new traffic issues.

March 1 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Jefferson park Blue Line Stop

Mixed-Income Development in Chicago's Jefferson Park Faces Protest

A development on Chicago's Northside faces protests and picketers who don't want new density, height, or low income residents.

March 1 - Chicago Reader

Newtown Creek

New York City's Kosciuszko Bridge Getting Demolished

Traffic-plagued Kosciuszko will soon be replaced, and some commuters are celebrating its demise.

March 1 - Gothamist

Waze

Israel Plans to Harness the Power of Waze to Save Wildlife

Just in time for United Nations World Wildlife Day, a new initiative in Israel has launched to identify deadly road crossings for animals by harnessing data collected from the Waze app.

February 28 - The Jerusalem Post

Buskers

An Ordinance to Curb Street Performance in Chicago Draws Criticism

Chicago Aldermen are considering an ordinance to outlaw street performances audible from more than 20 feet away, but in a segregated city, some fear that a quieter downtown might be more unwelcoming.

February 28 - Chicagoist

Downtown Highway

Big Idea: One Less Highway Through Kansas City

Eric Bunch argues that removing I-70 from downtown Kansas City presents a big opportunity for the city.

February 28 - Bike Walk KC

Self-Driving Car

Trump Administration Reviewing U.S. DOT's Automated Vehicle Guidelines

Among the many guidelines and rules going back to the drawing board (or ceremonial execution by executive order) at the federal level are guidelines for self-driving cars released only months ago by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

February 28 - Reuters

Indianapolis Cityscape

Nation's Newest Transit Funding Income Tax Approved in Indianapolis

It took awhile, but the city of Indianapolis has finally approved the nation's newest income tax to raise revenue for the IndyGo public transit system.

February 28 - Indystar

How to Build a $12 Billion High-Speed Rail Line at No Cost to Taxpayers

Unlike the nation's more well-known high-speed rail project in California, the 205 miles-per-hour, Dallas-to-Houston bullet train will be almost entirely privately financed. How is that possible?

February 28 - Dallas News

Changes in Environmental Policy Already Apparent on the EPA Website

A group of researchers monitoring government websites noticed changes to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's website. The changes fit into the Trump Administration's "America First" politics.

February 28 - Climate Central

Casino

Casinos Still Illegal in Georgia

A nascent effort to legalize casino gambling in the state of Georgia fell short of the necessary legislative support.

February 28 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Old houses with large porch and colorful siding

Why Aren't We Building Middle Income Housing?

For low-income residents in high-cost areas, there's no substitute for the public sector to provide below-market rate housing. But for middle-income households, the market should be able to produce housing without subsidy. So why doesn't this happen?

February 28 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Delay Sign

Yet Another Flawed Congestion Report

The new INRIX Traffic Scorecard uses "big" data to calculate congestion costs. Like previous studies, it exaggerates traffic congestion costs and roadway expansion benefits.

February 28 - City Observatory

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