A new United Nations commission is formed to examine the remarkably complex issue of migration worldwide.
"There has never been a migration study this big or ambitious. It was not welcomed by every nation, either. The topic of migration has some built-in tensions, and opening it up for world scrutiny risks some hazards... Around the world, the U.N. Population Division found in a 2002 survey that 175 million people were living in countries where they were not born. The number of migrants has doubled since 1975, with one in every 10 people in richer nations a migrant and one in 70 people in the developing countries. More than 11 million people moved into industrialized nations between 1995 and 2000, and more than 5 million of them landed in North America... Migrations, particularly illegal movements of people, are cause for concern in every region, most frequently for cultural or economic reasons. India fears perennial influxes of Bangladeshis, South Africa and Botswana send back Zimbabweans and Mexico does not want to be known as a transit stop for Central Americans and boat people from as far away as China. Australia has drawn opprobrium for not allowing refugees to land on its shores, or detaining them in camps if they do."
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: Millions of People Worldwide on the Move

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

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie