United States

White Cruise autonomous vehicle on street in San Francisco, California.

GM Nixes Robotaxi Division

The company suspended the Cruise self-driving taxi service late last year after a vehicle struck and seriously injured a pedestrian.

December 12, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Aerial view of Oklahoma state capitol building at golden hour.

Oklahoma Housing Agencies Face Major Budget Gaps

Housing authorities around the country will have a shortfall of $400 million by the end of this year.

December 12, 2024 - The Frontier

Close-up of woman in flowered dress holding bar next to white porcelain sink in bathroom.

Survey: Americans Finding it Harder to ‘Age in Place’

While many people over 65 would prefer to stay in their homes and communities, high housing costs and a lack of accessible infrastructure make it difficult.

December 12, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Close-up of Chevron gas station sign with logo and prices starting at $7.25.

USDOT: Low-Income Households Bear Highest Transportation Cost Burden

Transportation costs are the second-highest household expenditure behind housing for all income levels.

December 11, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Two grey cars parked nose to nose, one taller than the other, on city curb with parked bicycle visible on sidewalk.

Tall Vehicles: Unsafe at Any Speed

Vehicles with taller front-end designs are more likely to injure pedestrians even when traveling at lower speeds.

December 11, 2024 - Streetsblog USA

Large homes with large yards in suburban cul-de-sac near Atlanta, Georgia.

Commentary: Minimum Lot Sizes Drive Up Housing Costs

How making residential building requirements more flexible can ease the housing crisis and make neighborhoods more livable for more households.

December 11, 2024 - Strong Towns

Multifamily housing under construction.

To Build More Housing, Cities Must Be Smarter in How They Use Land

How strategic land use policy decisions can alleviate the housing crisis and limit unsustainable sprawl.

December 11, 2024 - John D. Landis

cars

Study: Automobile Dependency Reduces Life Satisfaction

Automobile dependency has negative implications for wellbeing. This academic study finds that relying on a car for more than 50 percent of out-of-home travel is associated with significant reductions in life satisfaction.

December 10, 2024 - Science Direct

Close-up of front corner of grey Rivian truck with charger plugged in.

Rivian Joins Movement Toward Universal EV Charging

As more automakers like Tesla, Ford, and Rivian make their charging infrastructure compatible, the shift could lead to the faster development of a nationwide EV charging network.

December 10, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Woman at desk with laptop and extra monitor with Zoom session open.

From 9-to-5 to Anytime: How Telecommuting Changes the Traffic Game

Not all cities have benefited equally from congestion relief brought on by shifting commuting patterns.

December 10, 2024 - Andreea Neculae

View from back of classroom of elementary school children at desks with raised hands engaged in class.

Why Some Affordable Housing Managers Are Running Education Programs

Many housing organizations are finding that educational programs are a logical — and valuable — addition to their offerings.

December 9, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

Washington D.C. Protest

USDOT Releases Climate Strategies Playbook

The USDOT's new Climate Strategies that Work Playbook provides detailed information concerning benefits and implementation requirements for 27 transportation-related emission reduction strategies.

December 9, 2024 - Climate Strategies that Work Playbook

Busy subway station with people walking on platform and train stopped.

Freedom to Move: Investing in Transportation Choices for a Clean, Prosperous, and Just Future

This Union of Concerned Scientists study examines why and how to improve resource-efficient travel options to achieve diverse goals. It estimates that more efficient transport could save up to $201 billion in energy and $128 billion in health costs.

December 9, 2024 - Freedom to Move: Investing in Transportation Choices for a Clean, Prosperous, and Just Future

Aerial view of small town of Sparta, Wisconsin.

Opinion: Federal Government Must Continue Supporting Rural Housing Program

The incoming Congress will have a say in bolstering — or harming — the only federal housing program focused on affordable housing in rural areas.

December 8, 2024 - The Daily Yonder

Large store in mall with yellow and black STORE CLOSING sign on front.

Shifts in Shopping: Transforming Malls Into Parks

Maybe zombie malls still have a second life — one with a little greenery.

December 8, 2024 - Ruscena Wiederholt

View of snowy buildings and mountains in background in Denver, Colorado.

Federal Resilience Program a Lifeline for Affordable Housing Providers

The little-known Green and Resilient Retrofit Program funds upgrades and repairs that improve efficiency and comfort in existing housing stock.

December 6, 2024 - Next City

Vintage multi-story brick apartment building and modern concrete and glass apartment building separated by a steep public stairway in Los Angeles, California.

Analysis: Localized Upzoning Less Effective

Changing zoning rules for a small number of parcels can increase land values and housing costs without boosting the housing supply.

December 5, 2024 - Governing

Acela Amtrak train in station in New Haven, Connecticut.

Amtrak Breaks Ridership Record in FY 2024

More Americans than ever rode the rails last year, also bringing the agency its highest ticket revenue.

December 5, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Group of children with backpacks walking toward colorful modern school building.

Expanding the Mission: Community Groups Serving Schools

Some community development organizations have added education to their traditional focus on housing and economic development, looking for ways to support families and children by partnering with local school districts. How is it working?

December 5, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

Adult man talking to young woman across wooden garden fence with young girl standing next to him.

For Some, Co-Housing Offers Social and Economic Benefits

Residents of co-living developments say the built-in community helps ease the growing isolation felt by many Americans.

December 4, 2024 - NPR

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

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.