Parking spaces in San Francisco are being repurposed as small patio-like park spaces and out door seating areas. John King of the San Francisco Chronicle looks at how they've become part of the city.
"Some are no more than platforms lined with planters; others have a sculptural look or tie in to the landscaping of the adjacent sidewalk. Some feel genuinely public. Others emphatically do not.
What began last year as a form of ad hoc urbanism is emerging as a distinctive feature of neighborhood commercial districts, particularly on the eastern side of the city. Even the most compromised parklets are of value, if only to show what's at stake as the experiment evolves.
'Every circumstance is different,' said Jane Martin of Shift Design Studio. 'It gets people talking about design and comfort on the street.'"
14 of these parklets have already been built and 12 more should be complete by the end of summer.
FULL STORY: S.F. parklets emerge as neighborhood fixtures

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.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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