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

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

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 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Regeneration of contaminated industrial land used for waste dumping, West Midlands, UK, 2006 .

EPA Awards $267 Million to Clean Up and Reuse Contaminated Sites

The EPA is investing the funds to clean up and redevelop contaminated sites nationwide, supporting economic growth, community revitalization, and environmental restoration.

2 hours ago - Environmental Protection

Archway made of bikes in Knoxville, Tennessee over Tennessee River.

Knoxville Dedicates $1M to New Greenway

The proposed greenway would run along North Broadway and connect to 125 miles of existing trails.

4 hours ago - WATE

25mph speed limit sign with digital "Your Speed" sign below it.

Philadelphia Launches ‘Speed Slots’ Traffic Calming Pilot

The project focuses on a 1.4-mile stretch of Lincoln Drive where cars frequently drive above the posted speed limit.

6 hours ago - WHYY