Is the smart growth movement confusing the cultural impacts of convenience with the impacts of sprawl, wonders columnist John King.
"The notion that suburbia deserves a warning label is a staple among such fevered opponents as author James Howard Kunstler, who seized on the Columbine High School massacre in 1999 to dismiss the home of 55 percent of the nation's residents as 'a vast and evil setting for American life to take place in.'... The real problem with suburbia is that it makes things seem easy. It lets people think they can painlessly connect the dots -- the newest house, the greatest perception of safety, the widest range of consumer choices and the ideal set of educational alternatives for our children. Is this an environmentally wasteful mass of contradictions? Sure. But again, so is our culture. Sprawl is a result, not a cause."
Thanks to Art Weber
FULL STORY: What's sprawling is our worship of comfort

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie