Utah
'Envision Utah' a National Model for Long-Range Planning
An article in Governing thoroughly examines the historic and contemporary efforts of planning in Utah—especially the success of the Envision Utah planning process.
Utah on Verge of Hiking Gas Tax by 21 Percent
Just before adjourning for the year, the Republican-controlled Utah House and Senate settled on a compromise—increase the gas tax by a nickel; the first hike in 18 years. Gov. Gary Herbert, also a Republican, has indicated he will sign the bill.
Salt Lake City Launches '5,000 Doors' Initiative for Affordable Housing
Over a quarter of families in Salt Lake City pay half their income on rent, and between 2000 and 2011, median home values increased by 47 percent.
Poll: Voters Remain Opposed To Raising State Gas Taxes
Notwithstanding plummeting gas prices, Keith Laing of The Hill reports on poll results that reveal an uphill battle for political leaders in Utah, Georgia, and New Jersey, who are advocating gas tax increases to fund roads, bridges, and transit.
New Guide Provides Advice for Successful Regional Planning
Transportation for America has released "The Innovative MPO"—a guidebook of sorts that provides lessons in successful regional planning.

Three States Hope to Take Advantage of Low Gas Prices to Boost Gas Taxes
A movement at the state and federal levels would take advantage of low oil prices to boost gas taxes to pay for infrastructure. Michigan, Iowa, and Utah proposals, and a change to the federal Corker-Murphy plan, are described below.
Salt Lake City Looks West for Downtown Revitalization
The Salt Lake Tribune looked at the development plans made possible by the West Side Master Plan for Salt Lake City.

How Cities are Overcoming Federal Roadblocks for Transportation Improvements
Tanya Snyder provides a thorough survey of the talking points of five U.S. mayors from a recent Washington Post forum on transportation.
Master Plan to Revitalize Salt Lake City's Struggling West Side
The Poplar Grove and Glendale neighborhoods in Salt Lake City perform poorly on the federal government's "opportunity index." A new master plan, however, would focus on transportation and nodes of activity to revitalize the area.
Why the Federal Government Should Require Minimum Service Standards for Rail
According to Yonah Freemark, there's folly in the way the federal government has been funding rail transit projects but failing to set standards for minimum service—a key indicator of transit ridership success.
Good Design Sparks Rural Community Development
Now more than ever, creative professionals are turning their attention to community development. While this trend toward good design is exciting, it’s harder to find in rural areas. Here are a few ideas from the forefront of rural design.
New Census Data Shows the Country's Age
Christopher Ingraham breaks down recent data from the U.S. Census that shows which counties are getting younger and which are getting older.
A Bad Year for State Transportation Funding
Compared to 2013, few states are increasing transportation spending through tax increases. Only New Hampshire and Rhode Island saw limited gas tax increases, though both were accompanied by road or bridge toll eliminations. Missouri could be next.
Oil Shale (not Shale Oil) and Oil Sands Projects Underway in Utah
A major challenge facing oil companies in the Uinta Basin is how to transport the crude to market. Alignments have been winnowed and the mode appears to be selected - rail. Total cost: $2 billion to extract $30 billion worth of oil and gas reserves.
Maintaining Social Mobility Amid Salt Lake City's Changing Demographics
A study released in 2013 ranked Sat Lake City fifth in upward mobility, but critics say that the study reflected an earlier era. Now with changing demographics, the Salt Lake is redoubling efforts to maintain opportunities for all of its citizens.
A Female Champion for Salt Lake City’s 'Transportation Revolution'
Robin Hutcheson has led the transportation planning division of Salt Lake City since 2011—a period of expansion for multi-modal transportation improvements all over the city.
Challenging 'Mountain Urbanism, Mountain Modernism'
In a recent editorial, Joe Andrade questions the assumptions underlying the Salt Lake City region's approach to population growth.

How Utah Could End Homelessness by 2015
By implementing a rational, structured policy of providing free apartments for the homeless, the state of Utah has greatly reduced its homeless population and is on pace to eradicate it completely by 2015.
New Statistics Reveal Post-Recession Paradigms of Population Growth
Governing takes a closer look at the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent population estimates to reveal the data behind the country’s shifted migration patterns and present some ideas about what’s driving the new migration paradigms.
Utah Oil Shale Plans—'First Commercial Production In Decades'
A proposal to build and operate the first commercial oil shale production facility “in decades” near the Book Cliffs in Utah is meeting legal opposition from environmental groups.
Pagination
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions