Experts are blaming sprawl for causing stress, childhood asthma, and obesity. Several studies investigate the relationship between sprawl and public health.
"We are coming to the conclusion that land use, urban design andthe built environment are much larger factors in public health thanpeople have really appreciated...The suburban model is defined by highly segregated land uses: Homes are built on curvy, dead-end streets that feed into high-volume roadways leading to separate retail areas, typically malls fronted by parking. Walking is not only unpleasant, it's often dangerous....If a link between neighborhood characteristics and obesity is found, the research could be used to prod policymakers to encourage healthy neighborhood design."
Thanks to Abhijeet Chavan
FULL STORY: Life in the 'burbs: Lack of good walking sites can weigh heavily

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

Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA
The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

Texas Safety Advocates Raise Alarm in Advance of Tesla Robotaxi Launch
The company plans to deploy self-driving taxis in Austin with no oversight from state or local transportation agencies.

How to Fund SF’s Muni Without Cutting Service
Three solutions for bridging the San Francisco transit agency’s budget gap without reducing service for transit-dependent riders.

Austin Tests Self-Driving Bus
Autonomous buses could improve bus yard operations for electric fleets, according to CapMetro.
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)