United States

U.S. Millennials, Like Previous Generations, Drive a Lot
Despite a dip in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in 2009, Americans continue to drive more and farther, despite some mistaken assumptions about Millennial travel behavior.

Looking Beyond FEMA Flood Maps, Cities Raise the Bar for Buildings in Floodplains
Cities across the country are developing floodplain construction standards that are more stringent than those required by FEMA.

U.S. Pedestrian Deaths Still Climbing
After nearly 20 years of progress in pedestrian safety, fatalities started climbing again in 2010. In 2018, pedestrian deaths jumped to levels not seen in decades.

Plug Pulled on the 100 Resilient Cities Program
The largest privately funded climate-adaptation program in the United States, 100 Resilient Cities, will conclude in July.

Done Deal: Manhattan Congestion Pricing
Finally, congestion pricing, as applied to city cordons, not highways, will be coming to the U.S., thanks to a budget deal approved by the New York State Legislature early Sunday morning. Tolls below 60th Street should begin by Jan. 1, 2021.

The Local Green Building Policies Showing the Way for the Green New Deal
The heating and cooling of buildings must be addressed if the United States is going to curb its emissions.

April Fool's Headlines That Didn't Make the Cut
"Who's the more foolish, the fool, or the fool who follows him?"

Self-Driving Cars Still Can't Recognize the Difference Between a Wedding Planner and an Urban Planner
Pundits agree that planners need to prepare for self-driving cars. Self-driving cars still need to prepare for planners.

Florida Man Thought the New Comp Plan Included Zoning Changes
A Florida man is accused of not realizing an entirely separate process would be required to implement the zoning changes recommended in a recently approved comprehensive plan.

Millennial Confesses: I Was Born in the Suburbs and My Parents Are Baby Boomers
Everything we thought we knew about Millennials was wrong.

No Demand for 'Defensive Driving' Mode in Self-Driving Cars
General Motors recently cancelled development of "Defensive Driving" software in its autonomous vehicle program. The announcement came just days after Ford announced it had cancelled the development of similar "Safe Driving" software.

Report: Most U.S. Coal Plants Uncompetitive with Renewables
The report heralds increased shuttering of coal-burning powered plants due to cheaper alternatives. Almost three-quarters of coal-burning power plants today are more costly to operate than renewable facilities. In six years, it jumps to 86 percent.

Level of Service, the Wrong Performance Measure
The use of level of service (LOS) to gauge the success of roadway networks has shaped and influenced cities in many negative ways.

Breaking News: Feds Sue Facebook Over Discriminatory Housing Advertisement System
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development escalated its actions against Facebook, even after the social media giant had settled a lawsuit with civil rights organizations and taken steps to reform its advertising system.

Review: 'The Handbook of Gentrification Studies'
A book by Loretta Lees and Martin Phillips, published in 2018, is reviewed and recommended to "graduates studying anthropology of cities, urbanism, geography, and new urban identities."

Lessons for the Reform of State DOTs
The world is changing, and some state departments of transportation are still stuck in the 20th century. New research provides guidance for DOTs looking to break old habits of car dependency and obsessions with level of service.

Judge Rules Tolls Are Taxes to Dismiss Truckers' Lawsuit Against Rhode Island
The nation's sole truck-only tolling program survived its first lawsuit after a federal judge dismissed litigation brought by the American Trucking Associations, ruling that the proper venue was state court. ATA believes it is unconstitutional.

What Will the Future of Homeownership Look Like?
Homeownership rates declined precipitously in the United States up until 2016. While that trend has reversed in more recent years, it's still hard to tell what the future of homeownership will be.

Google's New 'Visual Position System' Takes Pedestrian Navigation to the Next Level
In case you've ever felt like Google Maps isn't as helpful on foot as it is in a car, there's a new technology just for you.

Senate Votes 0–57 to Rebuff Green New Deal
Not one Democratic senator, including sponsor Ed Markey (Mass.), voted on Tuesday to support the resolution "recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal." Instead, most, but not all, Democrats voted "present."
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