PlanIT Valley, Masdar City, Songdo - the names of these bold visions elicit past promises of a smart and sustainable future. Eric Jaffe rounds up the latest news on the progress of the world's new urban utopias.
With flashy renderings, bold visions, and effervescent marketing schemes, a multitude of utopian visions of have come and gone over the past decade. Of the myriad promises of melding cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and design, which are still on track and which have yet to put a shovel into the ground? Eric Jaffe investigates the status of four of the most promising plans: PlanIT Valley (Portugal), Masdar City (United Arab Emirates), Konza Techno City (Kenya), and Songdo (South Korea).
There's mixed news from the land of dreamers: though the projects have faced their share of obstacles, all are still committed to their ultimate completion.
FULL STORY: How Are Those Cities of the Future Coming Along?

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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