With promises of creating a strong planning department, increasing bicycle mode share, and focusing development around transit, Bill Peduto won Pittsburgh's Democratic mayoral primary this past week. His win is being hailed by urbanists nationwide.
Angie Schmitt offers some of the choice quotes from a recent candidate interview Paduto did with Bike Pittsburgh to help explain why progressive urbanists within the city, and outside of it, are excited by the prospect of his administration. His support for increasing bike and transit mode share, bike/ped safety, and open streets events, among other goals, have urbanists buzzing.
"As for development, he wants to create 'a strong planning department that goes out to these neighborhoods, determine what it is they want to see done, and then a strong [Urban Redevelopment Authority]' to see the community's vision through," reports Moriah Balingit.
FULL STORY: Bill Peduto, Rising Urbanist Star, Wins Pittsburgh Mayoral Primary

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?

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.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
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