A pilot project launched in August hoped to follow the successes of similar efforts in New York and San Francisco by turning Oakland's Latham Square into a pedestrian plaza. But after only six weeks, the area has been reopened to autos.
"The Latham Square pilot was supposed to last for six months, but after just six weeks, the widely-lauded, one-block plaza at the foot of Telegraph Avenue is no longer car-free," reports Laura McCamy. "Oakland Planning and Building Director Rachel Flynn told Streetsblog the car-free pilot had been given enough time, and that 'there’s only so many people that are going to come into Oakland at this time.'”
“'If all you’re doing is blocking off the vehicles but not increasing the bikes and pedestrians, are you achieving your goal?' said Flynn. When asked for data on Latham Square’s use, she said, 'We don’t know how to measure pedestrian and bicycle activity.'”
Tough organizations including the Downtown Oakland Association remain supportive of the project, "Flynn said the decision was prompted by negative feedback. 'What we’ve heard from property owners and businesses is they need that access' for cars, she said, listing several nearby merchants and building owners who she said oppose the project."
FULL STORY: Oakland Planning Director Cuts Off Latham Square Pilot, Lets Cars Back In

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?

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance
The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package
Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

Houston Mayor Kills Another Bike Lane
The mayor rejected a proposed bike lane in the Montrose district in keeping with his pledge to maintain car lanes.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
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