When the director of transportation for the state of Iowa admits that the highway system is overbuilt, Charles Marohn asks the question: which of the 49 remaining DOT heads will also speak honestly about their systems?
Charles Marohn provides a dispatch from a recent Urban Land Institute event in Iowa, where he saw Paul Trombino, the director of the Iowa Department of Transportation, say something remarkable for a person in his position. "And so the reality is, the system is going to shrink," said Trombino.
Marohn's take on that sentence: "While I've had a couple say this in private, talk of contraction is not something I've heard any other DOT director say in public. This is a big deal."
Marohn provides the context provided by more of Trombino's statements and extends the challenge inherent in Trombino's acknowledgement, writing: "Most DOT directors understand that we've overbuilt, that there will never be the money to maintain everything they are asked to maintain. (I would question the ones who don't, their adherence to dogmatic politics or their competence.) I've not heard another DOT chief admit this problem publicly. They need to."
FULL STORY: IOWA DOT CHIEF: THE SYSTEM IS GOING TO SHRINK

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?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie