The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Half the Country Now Facing Drought
On the flip-side of the polar vortex in the climate news department, drought conditions are worsening across the country. In much of the West, the drought means water supply challenges and a growing threat of fire.
A Tale of Two Markets
Re-examining recent thinking on student debt as major contributor to the lousy housing market.
Enclosing the Commons: Tech Billionaire Buys Beloved Beach
San Mateo residents sue a Silicon Valley tycoon for buying and closing off a public beach in violation of California Coastal Act.
Even Celebrities Get Ticketed for Riding the Wrong Way in the Big Apple
As all law-abiding cyclists know, one must ride with, not against the traffic, even if you are Alec Baldwin. The actor was arrested for the violation, plus a few additional things, like not having ID, that made matters worse.
Friday Eye Candy: Hang Out Above Chicago at the John Hancock's 'Tilt!' Installation
Call it a ride, an art installation, or a feat of engineering—Tilt! Is not for those with a fear of heights.
Do Old Buildings Contribute to Economic Vitality?
Emily Badger crunches the data on the argument by Jane Jacobs regarding the importance of old buildings to the economic health and quality of life of cities—an opinion described by Badger as "received wisdom among planners and urban theorists."
BLOG POST
UN Sustainable Development Goals May Not Include Cities: Act Now!
UN-Habitat is about to decide on Sustainable Development Goals for the next 20 years. The "Urban Goal" is in danger. Please learn more and act.
First-Day Ridership Projected at 250,000 for Vancouver's Broadway Subway
City staff recently released revised first-day ridership projections for a proposed subway in Vancouver. The numbers seem astronomical and a strong support for the cause. But can the project get the finding it needs?
Stalled Legislation in Missouri Would Block Tesla Sales
Republican lawmakers in Missouri drafted legislation to prevent Tesla from establishing its direct sales model in the state. The legislation, now considered dead for the remainder of the legislative session, was backed by an auto dealers' group.
A Radical Proposal for North Lake Shore Drive in Chicago
A citizen-led initiative to rethink the land around North Lake Shore Boulevard in the neighborhood of Streeterville produced ambitious designs that would create additional shoreline, baldy-needed open space, and a tunnel for Lake Shore Drive.
Public Comment Sought for U.S. EPA's 'RE-Powering America's Land' Action Plan
The U.S. EPA is in the process of updating its 2008 plan to promote renewable energy on formerly contaminated land, mines, or landfill sites.
Dueling Proposals to Save Bus Service in Seattle
After a resounding defeat to Proposition 1, a countywide measure that would have raised fees and taxes to address an ongoing budget deficit at King County Metro Transit, Seattle is scrambling to find the money to preserve local bus routes.
Debating Providence's Streetcar Plans
As Providence, Rhode Island gears up for its second attempt at TIGER funds to help pay for its proposed streetcar line, a local reporter makes a sometimes surprising case against the plan.
Why Humans Humanize Self-Driving Cars
A recent article presents the findings of a study examining the question of how humans will assign or cope with blame for collisions caused by self-driving cars. The findings present insight on how humans will interact with technology in the future.
Study Examines Middle Class Home Affordability
Jed Kolko presents the findings of a study that examines the available stock of housing available to those earning the median income around the country in different cities around the country.
What's Wrong with the Senate's MAP-21 Reauthorization Bill?
Plenty, according to Tanya Snyder, Streetsblog USA editor, who finds Obama's Grow America plan far superior. Outside of not including a gas tax to fill the Trust Fund gap, she finds the proposal "underfunded and highway centric." She is not alone.
Critiquing Philadelphia's Fairmount Park Master Plan
Architecture critic Inga Saffron describes a new master plan for Philadelphia's signature piece of open space as "important" and "welcome," but still finds that it falls short in addressing some of the park's critical needs.
San Francisco: Model for Freeway Removal
Architecture critic John King tagged along with the Congress for New Urbanism. The latter was recently in San Francisco to examine the benefits of freeway removal. The city's prime case study: Octavia Boulevard.
A Political Victory to Protect Wild Coastal Land
Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky discusses how the approval of new plans will preserve a stretch of unincorporated Southern California coastline.
Honolulu Light Rail Taking Shape
After clearing two lawsuits in February, and weathering a contentious mayoral election, the Honolulu light rail project is under construction.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
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.
