Introducing the new NYC Planning Labs.
"A New NYC Planning Department unit called NYC Planning Labs launched Monday," reports Cassandra Stephenson. "The tech services unit, headed by mapper and open-source web developer Chris Whong, aims to provide tools to combat urban planning issues and increase efficiency by building digital services in-house."
"The labs will create small projects for the agency’s internal divisions that can be rolled out in just four to six weeks, according to the blog," adds Stephenson Projects could include simple purpose-built data tools designed to work with routine planning workflows, interactive data visualizations and animations, and web map explorers in the vein of NYC Facilities Explorer.
The new NYC Planning Labs was announced by a blog post that follows a frequently asked questions format. The blog also has a second post online, explaining how it cloned the website of 18F, an open-source government digital consultancy within the General Services Administration, "to get planninglabs.nyc up and running in a matter of hours."
FULL STORY: NYC ‘Planning Labs’ unit to deliver fast-paced civic tech innovation
Rezoning Revealed: NYC Planning Proposes Changes in Brooklyn
The New York City Department of City Planning has released its preliminary rezoning proposal for the neighborhood of Gowanus in Brooklyn.
A Unique Planning Partnership Leading Redevelopment Efforts in Queens
A non-profit called the Flushing Willets Point Corona Local Development Corp. will employ the New York City Planning department as a paid contractor as it creates a plan for the neighborhood of Flushing West.
NYC Council Approves Brooklyn Rezoning Plan
The Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use Plan includes infrastructure investments and could bring 4,600 new housing units to parts of Brooklyn.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Engineers Gave America's Roads an Almost Failing Grade — Why Aren't We Fixing Them?
With over a trillion dollars spent on roads that are still falling apart, advocates propose a new “fix it first” philosophy.
The European Cities That Love E-Scooters — And Those That Don’t
Where they're working, where they're banned, and where they're just as annoying the tourists that use them.
Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands
For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)