The 'Nano', a tiny car that gets 47 miles to the gallon and has low emissions, is hitting the Indian market. Environmentalists worry that the car's advantages will be outweighed by the increase in car ownership it may bring to the country.
"The Nano, which was announced in January and is expected to debut later this year, is the first in a wave of extremely cheap cars intended to put a multitude of new motorists behind the wheel for the first time. It carries a basic price of 100,000 Indian rupees, or roughly $2,500, about half the current cost of its nearest rival. The manufacturer, Tata Motors, says a wholly new market is opening up in India."
"Per capita, the number of Indians who own passenger cars is still very low when compared with developed countries -- just eight in 1,000. But, to the alarm of environmentalists, that number is growing rapidly.
Tata plans to start out producing 250,000 Nanos a year, eventually rising to 1 million. The car is expected to start rolling out late this year."
FULL STORY: In India, Cheap Car Will Challenge Two-Wheelers

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