Over the past year and a half more than 40 street poles have suffered damages, Paul Chapman reports, as Aukland prostitutes employ the poles for exotic dances.
Since the New Zealand sex trade was decriminalized in 2003, the industry has flourished uncontrollably in some parts of New Zealand's largest city, Aukland. Hunter's Corner, known to many as Hooker's Corner, is one such area. The city council's Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board recently released a report documenting residents' concerns and calling for more control of the industry.
Donna Lee, an elected member of the board, describes the damages to street poles, which has cost taxpayers thousands so far:
"The poles are part of their soliciting equipment and they often snap them. Some of the prostitutes are big, strong people."
Members of the Prostitutes Collective have expressed concern that tighter control could impact the sex workers willingness to carry condoms and that any fines imposed on workers would be difficult to pay, creating a cycle of poverty and sex work.
Thanks to Jessica Brent
FULL STORY: Traffic signs in New Zealand destroyed by prostitutes performing stunts

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.

Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall
A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.

Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.

In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle
Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont