The Supreme Court decision to allow use of eminent domain for economic development will spur urban sprawl.
"Ignored by everyone, however, is that the consequences of this decision will go far beyond urban renewal projects that are likely to impinge on lower income people. Think rampant suburban sprawl. Millions of Americans living in more rural areas are now in jeopardy. Local governments, counties not just cities, already suffering because of the high costs of supplying public infrastructure to new sprawl subdivisions will eagerly seize private property to facilitate still more sprawl development...it is rural Americans who will end up paying the greatest price for this absurd court decision...The beneficiaries are likely to be those citizens with disproportionate influence and power in the political process, including large corporations and development firms."
Thanks to Joel S. Hirschhorn
FULL STORY: An Eminently Pro-Sprawl Decision

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.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall
A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.

Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.

In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle
Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
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