Environmentalists and smart-growth advocates want transit officials to encourage transit-oriented developments, but suburban commuters want parking facilities and not much else.
The debate in Massachusetts has risen as commuter rail expansion necessitates new stations. "Pressure has intensified on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to consider not just moving passengers, but how its system influences development and choices people make on how to live...Concentrating development around train stations, of course, is an old idea; it was the basic founding principle for most cities and towns in Eastern Massachusetts. Today, the train station is a centerpiece of redevelopment, not only in older urban areas like Salem or Fall River but in suburban towns seeking to reduce reliance on the car."
Thanks to Christian Peralta
FULL STORY: Development debate focuses on local train stations

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?

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.

Car Designs Make it Harder to See Pedestrians
Blind spots created by thicker pillars built to withstand rollover crashes are creating dangerous conditions for people outside vehicles.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie