Florida

An aerial view of a lock and dam between two waterways with miles of marshes into the background of the image.

New Plan for Lake Okeechobee Targets Toxic Algae

The new Everglades strategy marks a “cultural shift” for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: rather than focusing primarily on flood control, the new plan seeks to balance the needs of the entire watershed, including limiting the spread of toxic algae.

August 28, 2024 - Inside Climate News

Historic homes with intricate white trim on tree-lined street in Richmond, Virginia.

Property Taxes Cuts on the Ballot in at Least Eight States

From completely eliminating property tax to creating new exemptions, voters in eight states across the country will cast their votes on a variety of ballot measures that could have major implications for local budgets.

August 18, 2024 - Stateline

Commercial street in Orlando, Florida with elevated pedestrian walkway crossing the street at Church Street Station historic train station and commercial hub.

Orlando Approves New Nightclub Rules

The city ended a temporary moratorium on new nightclubs, replacing it with a rule limiting them to roughly one per every city block.

August 15, 2024 - WESH Orlando

Asphalt road on coast with collapsed segments from erosion.

We Must Relocate to Prepare for Climate Change, and We Must Do it Now

As flooding, sea level rise, fires, and other climate impacts increase, we’ll need to move about 20 million Americans by 2100. Here’s how we can rethink managed retreat to get ahead of the rising tides.

August 8, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

"No Camping" sign with symbols on a beachfront.

Florida Public Sleeping Ban Goes Into Effect October 1

The law allows citizens to sue cities for lax enforcement.

August 7, 2024 - First Coast News

Front entrance of emergency room at hospital in Orlando, Florida.

Heat-Related ER Visits Soar in Florida

The state has the most heat-related hospital visits in the nation, but efforts to create protections for outdoor workers and other vulnerable residents have been stymied by state legislators.

August 4, 2024 - Governing

Kissimmee, Florida "Founded 1883" crest painted on cracked wall.

Kissimmee Considering Garage Conversion Program

Homeowners could get city support for converting garages to residential units.

July 30, 2024 - WESH 2 News

Electric car charging area in a parking lot at a Costco in Clermont, Florida.

Florida Law Bars Cities From Regulating EV Chargers

Under the new law, cities cannot require charging infrastructure in local codes.

July 28, 2024 - JD Supra

Aerial view of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida at sunset.

St. Petersburg Could Impose ‘Superfines’ for Airbnb Violations

The city is responding to multiple complaints that short-term rental owners are concealing their listings and skirting city rules banning rentals under 30 days.

July 18, 2024 - Fox 13 Tampa Bay

Rendering of electric bus terminal in Miami, Florida.

Miami Breaks Ground on All-Electric Transit Center

The terminal will have the capacity to power 100 electric buses.

July 4, 2024 - ENR Southeast

Single-family homes in a suburban neighborhood in Florida.

New Florida Law Curbs HOA Power

The legislation seeks to cut down on ‘absurd’ citations for low-level violations.

June 16, 2024 - The Guardian

Three colorful, large beachfront homes, one khaki, one blue, and one yellow, with a small dune in front and flat sand in foreground.

Florida Homeowners 'Nope Out' of Beach Restoration Over Public Access

The U.S. Corps of Engineers and Redington Shores, Florida are at a standstill: The Corps won’t spend public money to restore private beaches, and homeowners are refusing to grant public access to the beaches behind their home in return for federal assistance.

June 7, 2024 - Grist

A gray hope with white roof surrounded by floodwaters that come up just above the home's foundations.

Florida Home Sellers Must Disclose Flood History Under New Law

Prior to the new law, the Sunshine State was one of 18 states that did not require flood disclosure as part of the home selling process.

June 6, 2024 - Inside Climate News

White and peach Florida state capitol building with palm trees in front in Tallahassee, Florida.

Florida Rolls Back Renewable Energy Goals

A new state law eliminates language calling for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and makes it easier to build natural gas pipelines.

May 27, 2024 - News Service of Florida

Aerial view of marshy land at Fort Mose State Historic Park in Florida.

Florida State Park Will Pay Homage to First Free Black Settlement in US

In the late 1700s, Fort Mose was home to enslaved African people seeking freedom from the English colonies farther north along the Atlantic coast.

May 14, 2024 - The Washington Post

Brick path through an urban park shaded by trees with a river on the righhand side and high-rise buildings in the distance.

First Segment of Jacksonville, Fla., Emerald Trail Opens

The 33-mile trail will connect 14 neighborhoods and numerous community amenities around downtown Jacksonville.

May 13, 2024 - 104.5 WOKV

Colorful Lauderhill Transit Center at night.

Broward County Transit Security Program Provides Services to Unhoused Riders

The agency worked with local partners to provide housing referrals and health services to homeless residents who frequent the transit system.

May 10, 2024 - Mass Transit

Front view of a tan semi-truck cab parked on a vacant piece of land with a clear blue sky in the background.

Palm Beach County Accused of ‘Rural Gentrification’ in Lawsuit

A new zoning ordinance banning semi-trucks from a rural unincorporated area of Palm Beach County has prompted long-time semi-driver residents to sue for the right to continue to park their vehicles on their properties.

May 9, 2024 - The Palm Beach Post

A quite pond with lilly pads floating on the surface and brush in the background.

Water Quality Comes Up Trumps in New Florida Gambling Deal

Florida will direct almost all the revenue from its gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe to fund water quality projects, to the tune of billions.

April 9, 2024 - Governing

View of blurred traffic on South Beach, Miami street at nighttime.

Florida Law Targets ‘Activist’ Road Diets

Gov. DeSantis signed a transportation law that complicates the process for lane reductions, despite the rising number of pedestrian deaths in the state.

April 8, 2024 - Florida Politics

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.