United States

Aerial view of Eel River running through California forest

The Nation’s Most Endangered Rivers

An annual list from American Rivers highlights the waterways most at risk from climate change, poor water management, pollution, and other dangers.

April 19, 2023 - American Rivers

Person on subway platform holds phone and looks toward track

Transit Agencies Could Lose Access to Twitter Updates

Twitter announced it would start charging for access to its API, which many transit and government agencies rely on to provide real-time service updates.

April 18, 2023 - Bloomberg CityLab

Front yard landscaped with native plants and flowers

Opinion: The Time for ‘Yard Reform’ is Now

Replacing lawns with native plants and grasses saves water and improves biodiversity, but some cities make the practice illegal.

April 18, 2023 - Next City

Portland Transit

Opinion: Improving Transit More Important Than Free Fares

More investments in high-quality transit service coupled with income-based discounts could offer a better way to boost ridership and help low-income riders.

April 18, 2023 - Route Fifty

Cyclists of All Ages Enjoy a Sunday Morning Ride on the Neuse River Trail.

The East Coast Greenway Is Stitching Together a 3,000-Mile Trail Network

The ever-evolving greenway connects biking and walking trails from Maine to Florida.

April 18, 2023 - Reasons to Be Cheerful

Electric big rig truck plugged into charging station

Can Federal Emissions Standards Hasten the Transition to EVs?

The EPA unveiled two far-reaching rules to tighten emission standards for light, medium and heavy duty vehicles that can only be met by transitioning to zero-emission vehicles. The proposal is certain to be challenged in court as an agency overreach.

April 17, 2023 - The New York Times

Aerial view of baseball diamond and homes in small town Spring Grove, Minnesota

Building Community Through Small Town Placemaking

A federal program works with rural communities to develop their assets and resources and build a sense of place.

April 17, 2023 - The Daily Yonder

Walking

How Little Do Americans Walk?

Despite the high cost of car ownership, Americans walk less than almost any other nation, even for short trips that could be done on foot.

April 17, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Herd of bison grazing in green field with snow-capped Wyoming mountains in background

Public Lands Rule Would Center Conservation

After decades of protecting extractive interests, federal law could reverse course and put conservation on par with other uses.

April 16, 2023 - High Country News

Regional Transit

$14 Billion in Federal Transit Funding Announced

The annual formula funding grants support transit facilities and maintenance, electrification and equipment upgrades, and expansion of service.

April 14, 2023 - Federal Transit Administration

Interstate 787 with Albany buildings in background

Freeway Removal Projects Gain Momentum

Thanks to decades of activism and newly available federal funding, state and local governments are starting to understand the negative impacts of highway construction and working to reverse the effects on cities around the nation.

April 13, 2023 - Congress For New Urbanism

A piece of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge while under construction.

How the Discount Rate Impacts Future Generations

A wonky policy tool can have significant effects on how public and private money is spent.

April 13, 2023 - Vox

View from back of three men in suits sitting in a large room with leather chairs facing dais

Study: Renters, Women, Minorities Underrepresented in Land Use Decisions

The membership of decisionmaking bodies such as planning commissions rarely reflects the socioeconomic, gender, and racial characteristics of the local community.

April 13, 2023 - Urban Institute

Grassy wildlife crossing overpass over a multilane road in The Netherlands

USDOT Federal Grant Program Will Fund Wildlife Crossings

The funding will support projects that reduce the risk of vehicle-wildlife collisions and improve habitat connectivity.

April 13, 2023 - U.S. Department Of Transportation

Aerial Philadelphia cityscape by night with the City Hall tower in the foreground and Ben Franklin bridge spanning Delaware river in the back

Report: American Downtowns Safer Than You Think

A Brookings Institution study reveals that crime rates in major cities have risen, but downtown districts account for a negligible part of the growth.

April 12, 2023 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Walkable DC

Opinion: Surprised by Your Neighborhood’s Walkability Score? Don't Be.

A cautionary tale of using indices.

April 12, 2023 - Miriam Pinski

An Amtrak passenger train is shown on a spring day, rolling through a rural area in Missouri.

Regional Leaders Call for Expanded Amtrak Service

City leaders and transportation officials met to discuss their wish lists for intercity rail service.

April 12, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Protestors gather with signs that read “Don’t Evict My Neighbors.”

Eviction Protections Expire in Los Angeles County as Evictions Rise Around the U.S.

L.A.’s pandemic-era renter protections are credited with stabilizing homelessness in the region, but they ended at the end of March. Meanwhile, evictions are on the upswing around the country, led by L.A.’s neighbor to the east, Las Vegas.

April 11, 2023 - LAist

Bike Commuter

How Commute Times Impact Office Vacancy

Workplaces that employees can reach more quickly are less likely to have high office vacancy rates, a new analysis finds.

April 11, 2023 - Globe St.

Empty New York City street during the COVID-19 pandemic with #NYSTRONG billboard in foreground.

Biden Signs Legislation Ending Covid 19 National Emergency

The Covid 19 national emergency enacted by then-President Donald Trump in March 2020 was officially ended on Monday by President Joe Biden.

April 11, 2023 - CNN

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.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO

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.