United States

Los Angeles Subway

Subway Ridership Still Lagging as Cities Come Back to Life

While other aspects of urban life are starting to recover to pre-pandemic ‘normals,’ ridership on the nation’s subway systems is still well below average levels.

January 5, 2023 - The Hill

Father riding cargo bike with one child in cargo basket and one child riding bike alongside on sunny tree-lined path

The Multi-Faceted Benefits of E-Bikes

Advocates say incentivizing e-bikes is a quick and effective way to reduce carbon emissions and shift U.S. transportation priorities away from car-oriented planning.

January 4, 2023 - NPR

View of Washington State beach with grey rocks

Federal Grants Fund Tribal Relocation Efforts

Tribal communities threatened by climate change are opting to relocate or engage in ‘managed retreat’ to save their villages from sea level rise, erosion, flooding, and other climate impacts.

January 4, 2023 - The Daily Yonder

U-Haul moving truck with back door open and loading ramp down on residential street in Houston, Texas

Texas, Florida Saw Most Growth in 2021, Says U-Haul

Based on an index comparing inbound and outbound moving truck rentals, Texas had the largest population growth in the United States in 2021, while California and Illinois saw the biggest losses.

January 4, 2023 - U-Haul International

Capitol

What to Expect from U.S. Climate Policy in 2023

2022 was full of historic legislative accomplishments on climate policy. 2023 is unlikely to achieve the same significance, though the changing climate demands more of the same.

January 4, 2023 - The Washington Post

The San Francisco Bay Area is visible from San Carlos, across the bay to the East Bay. Mount Diablo looms in the background.

California Continues its Losing Streak

California's population continued to shrink for a third consecutive year according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimates for the year ending July 2022, but business columnist Jonathan Lansner saw glimmers of hope in the data.

January 3, 2023 - The Mercury News

Woman sitting on bench at rural bus stop

Urban Population Shrinks After Census Definition Change

The U.S. Census Bureau raised the bar for communities to qualify as urban areas.

January 3, 2023 - U.S. Census Bureau

Construction Worker

The Infrastructure Sector Is Bleeding Workers

With an aging workforce and few new workers entering the sector, cities could find themselves short of the workers needed to build and maintain projects funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

January 2, 2023 - Route Fifty

An electric bicycle is shown with the legs of a human who is riding the e-bike.

Transportation Predictions for 2023

Seventeen transportation experts and professionals weigh in on what they think trends in the sector will look like in 2023.

January 1, 2023 - The Verge

Close-up of phone with Airbnb map of New York

Centering Equity in Short-Term Rental Regulations

How can city officials mitigate the negative impacts of short-term rentals?

December 29, 2022 - Urban Wire

Multistory wood frame apartment building under construction against blue sky

Congressional Spending Bill Includes First Ever Federal ‘YIMBY’ Grant Program

The $1.7 trillion spending bill approved by Congress earlier in December includes a significant first: $85 million in discretionary grant funding for local governments to remove obstacles to housing development.

December 29, 2022 - Globe St

Passengers line up to board a bus at a bus rapid transit station in Indianapolis.

2023 Could Be a Breakthrough Year for Buses

Funding bus rapid transit is the fastest and most cost-effective way to improve U.S. transit systems and bring transit within reach for more Americans.

December 28, 2022 - Curbed

A small dam located in a rural location.

The Year in Public Lands

Public policy decisions that will impact land and water conservation in the American West.

December 27, 2022 - High Country News

Red and white Cruise autonomous Chevy Bolt on San Francisco street

Feds Launch Investigation Into Autonomous Vehicle Safety

With self-driving vehicles allowed on public streets in 20 states, federal regulators are beginning to scrutinize the industry for safety concerns.

December 27, 2022 - Smart Cities Dive

View of the National Biscuit Company Building, 1850 Industrial Street, Los Angeles from the corner of Mateo Street. It has been renovated into lofts, with a restaurant on the ground floor.

Adaptive Reuse No Magic Wand for Post-Pandemic Real Estate Woes

Pre-pandemic housing crisis, meet the post-pandemic office vacancy crisis.

December 27, 2022 - Quartz

Green and gray Tempe streetcar on street in Tempe, Arizona

Feeling the Impact of Federal TOD Grants

Grants aimed at stimulating development and increased density along transit lines are starting to make a difference in cities around the country.

December 26, 2022 - Governing

Gravestones along pathway in green Mount Auburn Cemetery

From Garden Cemeteries to Levittown

Tracing the story of the American suburban form.

December 26, 2022 - Governing

Red and white For Rent sign in front of brick building with flowerpots in background

Renters Expected To Fare Better Next Year

After years of rising housing costs, renters will see some relief in 2023 as supply rises and more tenant households stay put.

December 25, 2022 - Globe St.

Red "Vote Here" sign with white text and arrow pointing left on green lawn next to curb

The Crucial Role of Suburban Voters in the Midterms

Suburban voters were instrumental in preventing a 'red wave' on Election Day and on December 6 in the Georgia U.S. Senate runoff election, enabling the Democrats to win a 51st Senate seat.

December 25, 2022 - CNN

Video Games

City-Building Video Games for Planners

Hopefully you got one of these games as a gift today. If not, don’t worry. There are a lot of other occasions to celebrate—maybe try the day after Christmas?

December 25, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

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