United States

CTA Buses

Congressional Hearing Assesses the State of Public Transit

Lawmakers and experts expressed varying levels of support for increased funding for transit systems.

June 20, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

View of cars stuck in gridlocked traffic with traffic lights in background

US Cities Ranked by Vehicle Miles Traveled

Density, weather, and access to public transportation systems play a key role in how many miles are driven in the country’s 50 largest metro areas.

June 20, 2024 - Replica

Close-up on map of Kemmerer, Wyoming.

Nation's First Nuclear Power Plant in Nearly Half a Century Breaks Ground in Wyoming

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates had shovel-in-hand for the groundbreaking of his company's small-scale nuclear power plant in Kemmerer, Wyoming, on June 10.

June 19, 2024 - WyoFile

Amtrak Acela

Amtrak Will Likely Break Ridership Record This Year

Despite closures and delays on major lines, passenger rail travel is set to break pre-pandemic records.

June 19, 2024 - Reuters

Brick high-rise apartment buildings in New York City

Study: Housing Crisis is About Affordability, not Supply

New research shows that there is no overall shortage of housing units, but all U.S. metropolitan areas face a severe lack of affordable units for low-income renters.

June 18, 2024 - University of Kansas

Couple on one side of desk with banker on other side looking at paperwork.

Are Race-Based Lawsuits Affecting Community Lenders?

Shelterforce spoke with community lending leaders and experts about the current mood across the sector. What, if anything, are organizations doing to avoid becoming the next target of conservative activists?

June 18, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

Close-up of hand holding transit card up to fare collection machine in transit station.

How Fare Collection Tech is Changing Transit Operations

Cashless fare options let agencies enable fare capping, track rider behavior, and eliminate proprietary fare cards.

June 18, 2024 - GovTech

Large black SYV driving down city street with blurred background.

GAO to Investigate How Vehicle Design Impacts Safety

A lax set of rules around vehicle size, height, and other factors is partly responsible for the alarming rise in pedestrian deaths in the United States.

June 17, 2024 - Streetsblog USA

Child wearing heart-shaped sunglasses playing at splash pad in park.

City Parks as Cooling Centers

Strategies for making parks cool, inviting community cooling centers during extreme heat.

June 17, 2024 - Bloomberg CityLab

White modular home being built on dirt mound

Modular Home Company Aims for Long-Term Affordability

Modular building can help lower construction, maintenance, and utility costs.

June 17, 2024 - Fast Company

Elderly woman in pink shirt sitting at table on porch across from elderly man in white shirt. A pot of pink flowers sits on the table.

10,000 Americans Turn 65 Every Day; Why It Matters

As more people age, communities are preparing for the growing need for services, affordable housing, and transportation.

June 16, 2024 - Route Fifty

An aerial view of the South Side of Chicago, with Lake Michigan to the left in the distance.

The Nation’s Most Pro-YIMBY Cities

The District of Columbia and Chicago have some of the most housing-friendly policies in the nation, according to a new report.

June 16, 2024 - yahoo! Finance

Blue Begabus bus on street in Toronto, Canada.

Megabus Owner Files for Bankruptcy

Intercity bus lines in the United States face yet more challenges as a major operator files for bankruptcy, but the company says service continues uninterrupted for now.

June 16, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

"No right turn on red" and "Turning vehicles yield to pedestrians" sign.

The Tide is Turning on Right Turns on Red

The policy, which stems from the gas embargo of the 1970s, makes intersections more dangerous for pedestrians.

June 14, 2024 - NPR

An Inyo Backcountry Trail Crew uses rock bars and other hand tools to build new trail out of rock.

American Climate Corps Echoes New Deal Programs

A new federal initiative places young workers in jobs aimed at building climate resilience, but will it avoid the mistakes of similar programs?

June 13, 2024 - High Country News

Close-up of gas pump with yellow buttons and price screens.

How Transportation Costs Vary Across US Cities

A new analysis reveals how annual transportation costs compare around the country.

June 12, 2024 - yahoo! Finance

Large wood structure with bridge and people standing on it in green park in Toledo, Ohio.

Innovative Park Agencies Receive National Recognition

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) recently announced the recipients of this year’s awards for innovation in health and wellness, equity, conservation, and park design.

June 12, 2024 - National Recreation and Park Association

Digital highway sign above six-lane highway that says, "Texting and Driving? Say It: I'm the Problem It's Me."

Witty Highway Safety Messages Fall Flat with US DOT

Feds are concerned that overly creative digital billboard messages could confuse drivers, but state transportation officials disagree.

June 11, 2024 - Stateline

Close-up of metal manhole cover with pelican logo and 'East Baton Rouge Parish Department of Public Works.'

How ‘Opportunity Hoarding’ Harms Communities

Wealthy communities are incorporating their own cities, draining tax revenue and resources away from surrounding neighborhoods.

June 11, 2024 - Bloomberg CityLab

A side view of a young Black woman in a red sweater and jeans standing at a ballot box in a gymnasium with white walls and an American flag in the background.

Gen Z Says Housing Affordability Is Top Issue in November Election

As mortgages remain out of reach and rents unaffordable, particularly for younger generations, housing affordability could be a deciding factor at the ballot box.

June 9, 2024 - HousingWire

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.