A contingent of California New Urbanists arranged a special trip on Amtrak's California Zephyr in two vintage railcars to the Congress for New Urbanism in Denver. High-level discussion ensued.
Riders included William Lind of the Free Congress Foundation (a conservative supporter of rail expansion); Howard Blackson, a planner with Placemakers in San Diego; and John Anderson, of Anderson and Kim in Chico, California.
"Monday afternoon, as the train climbed the Sierra Nevada mountains, talk turned to the future of commercial real estate, and how it seems to be following housing off the value boom cliff. A consensus was reached: that small would be the new big. Developer Robert Davis, who one could say lit the fuse on New Urbanism almost thirty years ago as the developer of Seaside, Florida, mentioned that their plans for larger retail on the square of Seaside were bring amended. The residents prefer the small, shabbier buildings there now, and so the town elders have decided instead to allow small vendors in airstream trailers to gather picturesquely downtown."
FULL STORY: The Choo-Choo Diaries: A ‘Salon In Motion’ On The California Zephyr

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions