After months of development, a group of Code for America fellows has unveiled a new web application that seeks to assist communities in identifying and cleaning up New Orleans's blighted properties, reports Emily Badger.
BlightStatus is a new tool meant to help address the enduring problem of blighted properties that has vexed residents and officials in New Orleans since before Hurricane Katrina devastated the city. According to Badger, "The searchable mapping tool reveals when a property was inspected and
just what its problems were (shattered windows, broken gutters, missing
roof tiles). Residents can then track open cases all the way through
their court hearings, judgment, and resolution."
"Throughout the city, [Code for America fellows] Pandel and Tejeda say, people seemed to be relieved
when BlightStatus was launched. The site, simple as its interface
appears, conveys that city government is tracking residents' problems,
right down to the peeling paint on a house next door. But even more
crucially," says Badger, "the app also proposes a new kind of more productive
communication between the two groups that moves past angry and
frustrated citizens on one end, and a paralyzed city on the other."
FULL STORY: Revitalizing New Orleans By Crowdsourcing Renewal

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