What drivers are to rideshare companies, landlords are to Airbnb. In response to complaints, the company is upping outreach to its hosts.

Landlords and their rentable properties are Airbnb's bread and butter, and the company is increasing its efforts to keep them happy. Marisa Kendall writes, "To some Airbnb hosts, the move is an attempt to fix a broken communication chain between Airbnb's landlords and its management."
"Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky promised to open some company board meetings to landlords, hold quarterly Q&A sessions over Facebook Live, create a 'Host Advisory Council' and send periodic email updates." Chesky also differentiated Airbnb from other technology giants currently experimenting with artificial intelligence. Makes sense, since it would be hard to automate renting out one's home to strangers.
In addition to serving as hosts, landlords can also make it easier for Airbnb on the political side of things. "Another reason Airbnb may want to keep its landlords happy — they play a key role in the company's efforts to lobby local governments and fight the 'historic power of the hotel industry.'"
FULL STORY: Airbnb vows to give its landlords a louder voice

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

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

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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