Want parking reform without tears?
"It helps to have a cartoonist in the city planning department."
That, according to an article by Laura Bliss, is "one of the lessons that Ottawa’s Urban Design Branch learned after city planner Tim Moerman crafted a sweetly goofy animation on that driest of urban topics: minimum parking requirements."
Moerman created the cartoon in support of an effort to educate the public before the city considered reductions in parking minimums. Moerman even sent a post to Planetizen to describe his work, and Eric Jaffe wrote about the cartoon for CityLab.
Since then the city of Ottawa has managed to pass new zoning by-laws that reform the city's parking requirements, "with no opposition at the final public hearings." Moreover, reports Bliss, "New parking-free projects are already coming through the door."
FULL STORY: Parking Reform Cartoon Scores Most Canadian Victory Ever
Spokane Could Eliminate Parking Minimums Near Transit
A Washington state proposal to reduce parking minimums failed in the state legislature earlier this year.
More Affordable Housing for People, Less for Cars
Most jurisdictions have off-street parking requirements that increase motorists’ convenience but reduce housing affordability. It’s time to reform these policies for the sake of efficiency and fairness.
Edmonton Eliminates Off-Street Parking Requirements Citywide
The parking reform movement continues its march across the continent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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.
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.
Seattle Transit Asked to Clarify Pet Policy
A major dog park near a new light rail stop is prompting calls to update and clarify rules for bringing pets on Seattle-area transit systems.
Oregon Bill Would End Bans on Manufactured Housing
The bill would prevent new developments from prohibiting mobile homes and modular housing.
Nashville Doesn’t Renew Bike Share Contract, Citing Lost Federal Funding
The city’s bike share system, operated by BCycle, could stop operating if the city doesn’t find a new source of funding.
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.
Tyler Technologies
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions