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

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?

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance
The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package
Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

Houston Mayor Kills Another Bike Lane
The mayor rejected a proposed bike lane in the Montrose district in keeping with his pledge to maintain car lanes.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont