In urban planning news this week were headlines on how a second Trump presidential term will impact EVs and transportation, Biden’s move to protect federal lands from drilling, and advice for progressive planning in conservative communities.
Here were the 10 most popular stories on Planetizen this week:
1. Biden Administration Moves to Protect Alaskan Refuge From Drilling
CNN reports that the current administration is taking quick action to cement some of Biden’s key environmental accomplishments before the new Trump administration takes the reins.
2. Progressive Planning in Ideologically Conservative Communities
Planetizen blogger Todd Litman explores how progressive planners can address community goals in conservative jurisdictions that are skeptical of new issues and perspectives.
3. Robotaxis Wreak Havoc on Urban Transit
Cities of the Future chronicles how robotaxis, championed by companies like Waymo and Cruise, are a marvel of modern technology and a flashpoint for debate over their place in urban transit.
4. The Future of Electric Vehicles Under Trump
Will Elon Musk’s influence temper Trump’s anti-EV stance? An article from Wired explores the possibilities.
5. Auto Insurance Rates Spike Due to Extreme Weather
According to an article in Grist, car insurance costs around the country are going up as insurers receive more claims from areas struck by storms and other climate disasters.
Planetizen blogger Micheal Lewyn posits that President Trump's election might not be a disaster for local transit, assuming Republican politicians listen to urban voters who swung right in the 2024 election.
7. Lexington, Kentucky Passes Urban Growth Plan
Lexington, Kentucky approved a new Urban Growth Master Plan that sets out requirements for mixed-use development, according to the Lexington Times.
8. Baltimore Traffic Suffering From Absence of Key Bridge
The loss of a key route to the Port of Baltimore is causing major delays and long detours on alternate routes, particularly for large trucks because of cargo restrictions through local traffic tunnel, reports the Baltimore Banner.
9. Where Are Rents Growing Fastest?
The Washington, D.C. region saw the nation’s fastest rent growth in the last year, according to Redfin data.
10. Amtrak Expanding Service in California’s Central Valley
A Modesto Bee article outlines Amtrak’s plans a major expansion to the passenger rail lines connecting the Central Valley and the Bay Area.
What other urban planning news we’re reading:
- A new addition of the Healthy and Climate-Resilient report by the Bupa, C40 Cities and the Norman Foster Foundation urges planners and city leaders to put health at the heart of urban development. (Forbes)
- This Q&A with Henry Grabar, author of Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World — one of Planetizen’s 2023 Top Books about how raising the cost of parking in Philadelphia could help build more affordable housing. (The Philadelphia Citizen)
- Potable water is a finite resource, and it’s facing multiple pressures that could make it harder to come by. (Fast Company)
- Deb Haaland, the U.S.’s first-ever indigenous cabinet secretary says she is righting historical wrongs. (NPR)
In case you missed it:
Post-election, many in President Elect Donald Trump’s circle have indicated alignment with the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. Check out three articles and one video on how the conservative policy platform could impact public policy:
November Must-Reads: Top 10 Articles From Last Month
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September Must-Reads: Top 10 Articles From Last Month
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June’s Must-Reads: Top 10 Articles From Last Month
As summer heats up, catch up on last month’s most compelling stories.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
USDOT Revokes Approval for NYC Congestion Pricing
Despite the administration’s stated concern for the “working class,” 85 percent of Manhattan commuters use public transit to enter the city.
Tiny House Villages for Addressing Homelessness: An Interview with Yetimoni Kpeebi
One researcher's perspective on the potential of tiny homes and owner-built housing as one tool to fight the housing crisis.
Preserving Altadena’s Trees: A Community Effort to Save a Fire-Damaged Landscape
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena Green is working to preserve fire-damaged but recoverable trees, advocating for better assessment processes, educating homeowners, and protecting the community’s urban canopy from unnecessary removal.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Investigation Reveals Just How Badly California’s Homeless Shelters are Failing
Fraud, violence, death, and chaos follow a billion dollar investment in a temporary solution that is proving ineffective.
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.
Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
