United States

President of the United States

Trump Administration Clashes on Vehicle Emissions Standards Rollback

It's the U.S. EPA, under the new acting administrator, against two top officers in the Department of Transportation. Both agencies (along with California) determine fuel efficiency standards. Guess which wants to proceed cautiously in the rollback?

July 31, 2018 - The New York Times

U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA)

Debating a Renters' Tax Credit at the Federal Level

Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) recently proposed legislation that would create a refundable tax credit for qualifying rental households.

July 31, 2018 - Next City

Green Buildings

Washington, D.C. Leads the Nation in Green Roofs

The nation's capital has more square feet of green roofs than any other city in the country.

July 31, 2018 - Smart Cities Dive

Tax

Study Critiques the Fiscal and Racial Consequences of Capping Property Taxes

A new report by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities finds major flaws with property taxes in several states, and proposes a solution that could mitigate the least desirable consequences of limits to property tax increases.

July 30, 2018 - Governing

Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade

Wanted: A Language to Reflect the Diversity of Suburbia

The suburb/city distinction is too general and prone to exceptions.

July 30, 2018 - Build a Better Burb

Rural Traffic

Rollback of a Different Kind, Ordered by the EPA, Will Benefit Air Quality

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, acting at the behest of the new acting EPA administrator, will keep Obama-era regulation limiting air pollution from heavy trucks in place.

July 30, 2018 - The New York Times

A Black woman stands in front of a home holding an umbrella and smiling.

How to Shrink the Racial Homeownership Gap

Following reports that Black Americans owned homes in 2017 than in 1983, banker Teri Williams offers recommendations to diversify homeownership across the United States.

July 30, 2018 - Truthout

School Chlidren

A Third Court Win for Children's Climate Change Lawsuit

Strike three for the federal government in trying to dismiss a lawsuit launched by 21 children in Oregon who sued the Obama administration in 2015, claiming the government was endangering their future because of its failure to reduce climate change.

July 30, 2018 - San Francisco Chronicle

Washington, D.C. Street

Curb Pricing Could Offer Big Benefits

Free on-street parking costs cities in lost land and additional traffic, cities could realize huge benefits if they value their curbs, Henry Garbar argues in Slate.

July 29, 2018 - Slate

Dockless Bike Share

There's Little ofo Left to Share

Bike share company ofo's U.S. presence shrinks to a fraction of its former self, slashing its headcount and ending service in all but three U.S. cities.

July 28, 2018 - Quartz

Gas Pump

Federal Gas Tax Legislation Would Also Tax Bikes, EVs, and Transit

Rep. Bill Shuster, who chairs the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, wants to hike gas and diesel taxes by 15 and 20 cents per gallon, respectively, add two new user fees on bicycles and electric vehicles, and test VMT fees.

July 27, 2018 - U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

Venice Beach Pedestrian and Bike Path

Study: Scooters Are Really Popular

The narrative of electric scooter users as affluent, entitled, and "tech bro-y" does not reflect the demographics of fans of the new mobility technology, according to a new study. Electric scooters are actually very popular.

July 27, 2018 - Wired

Durham

Evidence of Race's Role in Land Use Decisions

Analysis of a city's zoning and land use decisions over seven decades reveals the role race plays in decision making.

July 27, 2018 - CityLab

Louisiana Flooding

30 Years of Climate Change Proof

It's been 30 years since James Hansen told Congress about global warming. We might call it climate change these days, but Hansen was right.

July 26, 2018 - Associated Press via The Mercury News

Woman Computer

Op-Ed: Pay Equity in Architecture Is Just a Math Problem

Unlike other measures of value, writes Jeanne Gang, pay is a number. And that should make it easy for architecture firms to address any existing wage gaps.

July 26, 2018 - Fast Company

Alternative Transportation

Tariffs Could Visit the E-Bike Market

Manufacturers of electric bicycles, also known as pedal-assisted bikes and e-bikes, could be next on the Trump Administration's list for tariffs.

July 26, 2018 - Streetsblog USA

Citi Bike Rack

Subsidizing Bike Share for Low-Income Riders

In New York, SNAP recipients to get access to Citi Bikes at discount like DIVY riders already do in Chicago.

July 25, 2018 - Fast Company

Derelict Commercial Buildings

Optimism and Investment, Not 'Managed Decline," for the Rust Belt

Managed decline assumes that struggling cities will continue to struggle indefinitely. Is there a better way to plot neighborhood stabilization?

July 25, 2018 - Notes from the Underground

Electric Scooters

Scooter Companies Offering Discounted Rides for Low-Income Users

Bird announced its One Bird program earlier this month.

July 24, 2018 - Smart Cities Dive

Vacant Lot

Greening Vacant Lots Improves Depression

According to new reaearch, the power of green space where vacant lots previously stood includes mental health benefits, especially in low-income neighborhoods.

July 24, 2018 - NPR

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.