It will only take us two-and-a-half minutes to catch you up on the big planning news from the last week of June.

It's July already! What happened to June?
For this edition of Planetizen Week in Review, we note the big intellectual question emerging from George Lucas's departure from the city of Chicago; the chickens coming to roost in Volkswagen emissions cheating scandal; real planning work being started and finished in Tennessee; more surreal news from the housing market; and a round up of the U.S. institutions (like the United States, for instance) celebrating anniversaries.
For more information on the stories presented in the video, see the linked articles below.
Lucas Museum Will Have to Find a City Far, Far Away From Chicago
Volkswagen Settles in Cheating Scandal to the Tune of $16 Billion
Memphis Launches First Comprehensive Planning Effort Since 1981
Chattanooga Approves New Form-Based Code for Downtown
Survey Finds Pessimism Prevailing in the Housing Market
U.S. Homes Prices Are Soaring; Seven Cities Set Records
It's the 60th Birthday of the Interstate Highway System
FULL STORY: Planetizen Week in Review: July 1, 2016

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

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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Planning for Universal Design
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Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)