Austin

Aerial view of single-family homes with rooftop solar panels in planned development near Austin, Texas.

A New Texas Neighborhood is Powered by Geothermal Energy

The 7,500-home development claims to be Austin’s ‘first zero energy planned community.’

June 29, 2025 - Floodlight

Low view of row of red, grey, and black Tesla electric cars.

Texas Safety Advocates Raise Alarm in Advance of Tesla Robotaxi Launch

The company plans to deploy self-driving taxis in Austin with no oversight from state or local transportation agencies.

June 23, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Blue Austin public transit bus with graphic reading "I ride to keep the city clean and earth happy."

Austin Tests Self-Driving Bus

Autonomous buses could improve bus yard operations for electric fleets, according to CapMetro.

June 23, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Rendering of white three-story single-stair building in Austin, Texas with staircase in the middle.

Austin's First Single Stair Apartment Building is Officially Underway

Eliminating the requirement for two staircases in multi-story residential buildings lets developers use smaller lots and more flexible designs to create denser housing.

June 17, 2025 - Building Design & Construction

Close-up on silver Tesla logo on black car hood dotted with raindrops.

Tesla Protests Release of Documents About Austin Robotaxi Launch

The company seeks to block the release of emails with city officials on the grounds they could contain confidential information and trade secrets.

June 10, 2025 - Reuters

Austin, Texas skyline.

Austin’s Building Boom Not Reaching Lowest-Income Families

Despite having the highest rate of affordable housing construction in the nation, Austin is still underproducing housing for the neediest households.

May 6, 2025 - Fast Company

Wide roadway in Austin, Texas at night.

How Project Connect Would Change ‘The Drag’

A popular — and sometimes deadly — Austin road will exchange car lanes for light rail.

April 28, 2025 - The Daily Texan

City Hall building in Austin, Texas.

Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund

A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.

April 25, 2025 - Spectrum Local News

Red modern train on tracks with large warehouse-type building behind it in Austin, Texas.

Texas State Bills Could Kill Transit Funding in Dallas, Austin

State lawmakers could pull funding from the state’s largest transit agency and the ambitious Project Connect, a voter-approved transit project in Austin.

April 10, 2025 - The Texas Tribune

Close-up of musicians loading zone sign on Sixth Street in Austin, Texas at night with illuminated high-rise with pyramidal top in background.

SXSW Panel Addresses Housing Affordability for Artists

Musicians are increasingly hard-pressed to find affordable housing in Austin, a city known for its music scene.

March 11, 2025 - CultureMap Austin

Rendering of blue and white light rail train passing next to tree-shaded walkway with pedestrians in Austin, Texas.

Austin’s Project Connect Funding Safe for 2025

The light rail project is moving ahead with plans to finalize its environmental impact review by late 2025.

March 7, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

 CapMetro buses parked at Westgate Transit Center under freeway overpass in Austin, Texas.

New Rapid Bus Lines Begin “Introductory Service” in Austin

CapMetro officials say they wanted to start providing connectivity even though buses won’t run as frequently as planned.

February 27, 2025 - Austin Monitor

Red painted and curb-protected bike lane in downtown Austin, Texas.

Austin Outlaws Blocking Bike Lanes

Drivers who park in bike lanes will receive citations of up to $300.

February 18, 2025 - KUT

Downtown Austin, Texas skyline with cranes on a sunny day.

Austin Rents Fall for 19th Straight Month

Thanks to a construction boom, the city is no longer the most expensive housing market in Texas.

January 27, 2025 - Governing

Rendering of Interstate 35 cap park over sunken freeway in Austin, Texas.

Austin’s Vision for I-35 Cap Parks Takes Final Shape

The city’s plan includes parks, entertainment pavilions, commercial space, sports fields, and other facilities over 30 acres of deck parks spanning a sunken Interstate 35.

October 4, 2024 - KUT

Conceptual rendering of proposed Regional Transportation Center in Austin, Texas.

Austin’s Project Connect Gains Key Budget Approval

The light rail project can move forward with the engineering and design phase, with a groundbreaking expected in 2027.

September 24, 2024 - Community Impact Newspaper

Austin Pedestrians

Austin Completes First Round of Vision Zero Projects

Small, localized interventions such as changes to signal timing and crosswalk improvements are saving lives and improving traffic safety.

September 4, 2024 - KXAN

Neon signs in historic theater district in Austin, Texas.

Austin Left Turn Improvements Cut Serious Crashes by Half

Changes to left turn infrastructure and signal timing led to a 47 to 72 percent drop in fatal and serious injury crashes.

August 25, 2024 - Austin Monitor

Neighborhood of large houses in suburban Austin, Texas.

Austin Lot Size Changes Could Make Homes More Affordable

Land acquisition makes up 15 to 20 percent of the cost of an average home in the Austin area.

August 23, 2024 - The Real Deal

Overhead view of houses being 3d printed in concrete from the ground up.

3D-Printed Community in Texas Nearly Complete

Upon completion, the 100-home Wolf Ranch Community north of Austin will be the largest 3D printed neighborhood in the world.

August 12, 2024 - Parametric Architecture

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.