On Wednesday, California became the first state in the nation to adopt rules for ridesharing. Several cities (including New York, L.A., and D.C.) have struggled to tame the bourgeoning industry amid protests by entrenched taxi interest groups.
In another sign that the sharing economy is going mainstream, "California regulators have approved the nation's and state's first rules for fast-growing ride-sharing companies that connect passengers to drivers via smartphones," reports Marc Lifsher. "The Public Utilities Commission voted 5 to 0 to let the services -- such as Lyft Inc., Sidecar and Uber Technologies Inc. -- continue to operate, if they comply with basic safety and insurance requirements."
"The proposed decision gives a greenlight for ride-sharing in California and should set an example for cities and states across the country to provide consumers with a new way to get around, supporters said."
Read the full story: California becomes first state in nation to regulate ride-sharing
Report: Transportation Network Companies Would Benefit St. Louis
According to a Deloitte report, St. Louis commuters could save upwards of $220 million a year, with an additional $493 million in regional road construction savings. All the city needs to do is lift restrictions on rideshare.
Massachusetts Approves Initial Regulations for Transportation Network Companies
Transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft took a major step toward legal recognition in Massachusetts.
Uber and Lyft Are Dragging Traditional Taxi Companies Into the 21st Century
Rideshares like Uber and Lyft have been under attack for their brash approach to local regulations and laissez-faire pricing schemes, but they've also pushed traditional taxis to dramatically improve their service in a very short span of time.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners
Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents
NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting
New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.
California appears to reject Prop. 45
The proposition would have expanded the projects that qualify for a streamlined environmental review, effectively paring down the California Environmental Quality Act.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
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City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority