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

Chicago Intercity Rail

Amtrak Ramping Up Infrastructure Projects

Thanks to federal funding from the 2021 infrastructure act, the agency plans to triple its investment in infrastructure improvements and new routes in the next two years.

September 25, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Google maps street view of San Francisco alleyway.

Ending Downtown San Francisco’s ‘Doom Loop’

A new public space project offers an ambitious vision—so why is the city implementing it at such a small scale?

September 26, 2023 - Fast Company

Google street view of yellow "End Freeway 1/4 mile" sign on 90 freeway in Los Angeles, California.

Proposal Would Transform L.A.’s ‘Freeway to Nowhere’ Into Park, Housing

A never-completed freeway segment could see new life as a mixed-use development with housing, commercial space, and one of the county’s largest parks.

September 26, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Traffic on the 405 interstate freeway through the Sepulveda Pass at Getty Center Drive in Los Angeles, California

Report: Bike Lanes Can't Make up for New Roads

If California wants to meet its climate goals, the state must stop funding its myriad road construction and expansion projects.

September 29 - Streetsblog California

Late evening view of downtown Minneapolis skyline with stone bridge in foreground

Minneapolis Affordable Housing Project Largest in 20 Years

The city opened its first large multifamily affordable housing complex in decades, but a recent court ruling against the Minneapolis 2040 rezoning plan could jeopardize future projects.

September 29 - Minnesota Public Radio

Close-up of vertical PARK sign on multistory urban parking garage.

NYC Mayor Proposes Eliminating Parking Minimums

Mayor Adams wants to stop requiring off-site parking for new buildings to reduce the costs of construction as part of the ‘City of Yes’ package of zoning reforms.

September 29 - StreetsBlog NYC

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.