Michigan prepares to harmonize highway, transit plans with community character
Responding to a recent executive directive by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, the Michigan Department of Transportation will invite public officials and private groups to Lansing this summer to help it define and develop a new way to protect communities and the environment from ill-conceived transportation projects. A full embrace of flexible design by MDOT would mark a complete U-turn from its previous, longstanding method, which at one point during the administration of former Republican Governor John Engler saw the transportation department seeking legislative exemption from all local land use laws. Governor Granholms sharply different approach to designing highway and other transportation projects first surfaced early in her administration, when she appointed Gloria Jeff, who worked on CSD while at the federal highway agency, as MDOT director. The governor's executive directive installing the CSD process, which she issued last December, reflected recommendations made by her bipartisan, sprawl-fighting Michigan Land Use Leadership Council.
Thanks to Keith Schneider
FULL STORY: New Route to Transportation Design

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?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie