Columnist John King examines the lessons about rebuilding a city that can be learned from the San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906.
"Before New Orleans, the worst urban disaster in the United States occurred in San Francisco, when the earthquake and fire of April 18, 1906, destroyed 28,000 buildings and killed upward of 3,000 people.
...Civic leaders in 1904 hired [fabled Chicago architect Daniel Burnham] to draw up a plan that included new boulevards along classical lines. Supporters saw the earthquake as a "magnificent opportunity for beautifying San Francisco," in the words of former Mayor James Phelan. But business interests recoiled at condemning private land to build new streets.
...Unlike London in 1666 or San Francisco in 1906, New Orleans is not a city on the rise: The population has shrunk by nearly 150,000 people since 1960, and 28 percent of its residents live below the poverty line, more than twice the national average."
FULL STORY: A City in Survival Mode: The push to resurrect New Orleans
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?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie