Planetizen Week in Review: June 24, 2016

The biggest news stories of a big week in planning and land use—all in just over two minutes.

1 minute read

June 24, 2016, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Portland

JPL Designs / Shutterstock

The fifth edition of the Planetizen Week in Review includes some of the biggest breaking news stories of the year.

Comprehensive plans are always a big deal for cities and the planning profession, but especially so in the city of Portland. The city of Columbus pulled a "smart cities" coup and beat out cities like Austin and San Francisco for a $50 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. A game changing decision for Waukesha, Wisconsin changes the regulatory landscape established by the 2008 Great Lakes Compact. And finally, the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University released a report titled "The State of the Nation's Housing," and didn't include very much good news for anyone who isn't already a homeowner.

Portland Approves New Comprehensive Plan
Milwaukee Suburb Allowed Unprecedented Water Diversion from Lake Michigan
Breaking: Columbus Wins $50 Million 'Smart Cities Challenge' Grant
Housing Market 2016 in a Best of Times, Worst of Times Moment 

Thursday, June 23, 2016 in Planetizen

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 7, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

May 1, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Wide suburban road with landscaped median and light pole banners advertising local amphitheater.

End Human Sacrifices to the Demanding Gods of Automobile Dependency and Sprawl

The U.S. has much higher traffic fatality rates than peer countries due to automobile dependency and sprawl. Better planning can reduce these human sacrifices.

April 29, 2025 - Todd Litman

Wasco Viaduct under construction in California's Central Valley as part of California High-Speed Rail project.

Trump: Federal Government Won’t Pay for California HSR

The President has targeted federal funding for the California bullet train project since his first administration.

May 8 - The Fresno Bee

Bird's eye view of Salesforce Park in San Francisco, CA.

San Francisco Enhances Urban Planning Initiatives with Green Infrastructure

San Francisco incorporates green infrastructure in its city development initiatives, elevating the importance of sustainability in urban planning.

May 8 - The Daily Californian

Aerial view of Chicago with river in foreground.

Chicago Approves Green Affordable Housing Plan

The Mayor’s plan calls for creating a nonprofit housing corporation tasked with building affordable housing that meets Green Building standards.

May 8 - CBS News Chicago

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