Amid concerns about fire hazards, city calls for banning front porch couches, a long-loved feature in student neighborhoods.
"Those old tattered couches a mainstay on porches in many college towns may no longer be a tradition in Wolverine country. The Ann Arbor City Council has proposed banning upholstered couches on front porches and lawns in the name of public safety. Those couches, a staple at outdoor parties and afternoon lounging, are a fire hazard, fire officials say... The ban has excited those on campus who say city leaders want to get rid of the hundreds of couches for no good reason. Its been the subject of Internet forums, e-mails to City Council members and student newspaper articles. Some students are upset the issue surfaced during the summer, when many students are off campus and wont have a say on the issue."
Thanks to Richard Layman
FULL STORY: Front porch couches may be campus casualty: Ann Arbor leaders cite furniture as fire hazard

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

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

Rethinking Computing: Researchers Tackle AI’s Energy Demands
USC researchers are reimagining how AI systems are trained and powered — through smarter algorithms, innovative hardware, and brain-inspired designs — to dramatically reduce computing’s energy footprint.

Amazon-Owned Robotaxis to Begin Testing in LA
Los Angeles will become the sixth city where Zoox is testing its autonomous vehicle technology.

New York MTA Says No More Borrowing, Will Cut Costs Instead
The agency says it won’t take out any new loans to finance its planned improvements and is finding other ways to cut costs.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions