Christine Kreyling looks at the relationship between the car culture and obesity. She explains why it is important for land use planners to consider the health hazards of sprawl.
"When land use is segregated into nodes that require an automobile to connect them, when subdivisions lack sidewalks, when transportation systems privilege the big road and the long car trip, it doesn't take a scientific genius to figure out that we're discouraged from walking...Those who see a link between obesity and low-density suburban-style development note that the South, where the CDC found the greatest increase in obesity in the 1990s, also experienced the nation's greatest increase in suburban--as opposed to urban--population."
Thanks to Marty Sewell
FULL STORY: Fat City: Is Nashville's Car Culture Killing Us

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.
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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.
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