United States

Big Agriculture Mergers Raising Antitrust Alarms
At risk with industry consolidation like a proposed merger of Bayer and Monsanto, is the environmental impact of the business, along with the financial impact on farmers.

The Days of 'Uber-for-X' May Be Over
On-demand laundry service Washio is only the most recent "Uber-for-X" startup to shut down.

Report Offers Guidance for Improving Paratransit Services
The requirement to provide paratransit services is written into the Americans With Disabilities Act, so transit agencies must continue to find ways to provide these essential services as cost-effectively as possible.

Just Arrived: The First Federal Safety Guidelines for Automated Vehicles
It's a big day for the future of automated vehicles. Federal safety regulators gave first indication, not yet regulations, of how they expect automated vehicles to behave when they hit the road en masse.

100 Objects; 100 Ways to Influence Public Health
As the public health and planning professions expand their partnership around the world, consider this list by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health of the 100 Objects That Shaped Public Health.”

Lessons of Housing Desegregation—From the 1960s to Today
The New York Times mines historic footage and current research for perspective on the effects of housing segregation.
Gasoline Shortage Hits South and East Coast after Pipeline Rupture
The rupture reveals the hazards of pipelines, but also shows how important they are to the economy. Six governors declared states of emergency to deal with gasoline shortages resulting from the pipeline shutdown in Shelby County, Alabama.

The ASLA's New Guide to Resilient Design
The American Society of landscape Architects is promoting a new guide to resilient landscape design, which examines hundreds of case studies for examples of infrastructure that works with nature, instead of against it.
A First Look at New Migration Data
The American Community Survey released new data on the who and where of migration.

Redefining Success for Younger Generations
A new book by Courtney Martin called "The New Better Off" examines the shift in values among younger generations.

Inclusionary Zoning and Unintended Consequences
The city of Portland is considering a new inclusionary zoning policy, but some believe that inclusionary zoning has the opposite of its intended effect.
The Limits of One Perspective on Gentrification
A blogger offers a critical review of a podcast that examines the humans effects of gentrification in East New York, noting especially the lack of policy discussion's effect on the conversation.

The Value of Garbage Has Changed Dramatically
Recycled metals, plastics, glass, and other materials are more economical than ever. Welcome to a new era of waste management.
Airbnb Launches New Anti-Discrimination Policies
In an effort to curb the culture of discrimination enabled on its platform, Airbnb will roll out new features to ensure better service for minorities.

Study: Transit Not a Panacea for Walkability After All
One of the key assumptions of a new partnership between the planning and public health professions is that transit encourages more active mobility than possible with a car-centric lifestyle. But new research casts doubt on those assumptions.

Planetizen Week in Review: September 17, 2016
This week featured good news on the economy like it was pre-2008.

If Housing Affordability Is Top Concern, Let Metro Regions Sprawl
Research from BuildZoom, a San Francisco-based contractors' website, shows that housing affordability increases with a region's ability to build outwards, as opposed to upwards. Densification largely has not accompanied efforts to curb sprawl.
The Atlantic Ocean Has Its First National Marine Monument
President Obama has acted to protect a 4,913-square-mile area off the Massachusetts coast. President Obama has protected more land and water than any other American president.

A Back-to-School Reading List of Books About Cities
2016 has produced an eclectic, imitative mix of titles to the urban library.

U.S. Census Has Good News About Income and Poverty
Finally, some very, very good news: The U.S. Census released data that shows broad, big gains in household incomes.
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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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont