The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Woman stands on rock overlooking mountain valley.

FEATURE

How Social Media Is Influencing Our Interactions with Public Lands

Getting the perfect online photo is drawing more people into nature. Land managers are trying to mitigate risks and damage to wild places.

November 4 - Paige Gross

Aerial view of historic core of Santa Fe, New Mexico at dusk.

‘Newbie Humility’ Meets the ‘Imported NIMBY’

In a precautionary essay about moving to another place, Chuck Wolfe explains tensions between simple and practical community life and newcomers’ arguably gentrification-laced expectations.

November 3 - Resurgence: A Journey via Substack

Top Planetizen Headlines This Week

BLOG POST

Planetizen’s Most Popular Stories This Week

In urban planning news this week were headlines on federal housing legislation, transportation affordability, a study on bike lanes and traffic congestion and more, along with a few other stories Planetizen’s editors are reading.

November 3 - Mary Hammon

Aerial view of Hoboken, New Jersey.

New Jersey Towns Call for Suspension of Affordable Housing Law

Close to two dozen municipalities are suing the state, arguing that the affordable housing requirements mandated by the Mount Laurel Doctrine are unrealistic and discriminate against suburban communities.

November 3 - Gothamist

Construction workers in orange vests and white hard hats installing concrete curb.

FEATURE

Rebuilding America's Backbone: A Call for Resilient Infrastructure

How sustainable investments in infrastructure made today can secure the future.

November 3 - Maria Lehman


Two people walking under large trees in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California.

Branching Out: Building Health and Equity Through Community Forestry

Los Angeles County’s Community Forest Management Plan seeks to create a healthier, more equitable community forest by expanding tree coverage, engaging communities, and building resilience to climate impacts.

November 1 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

Small, colorful homes on small lot in San Diego, California.

San Diego Begins to See Results of State Housing Law

Homeowners in Southern California are starting to take advantage of a state law that allows lot splitting and higher density in residential areas in an effort to increase housing supply and affordability.

November 1 - KPBS


White Waymo autonomous SUV taxi on San Francisco street.

Opinion: Robotaxis a ‘Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing’

Recent efforts to paint autonomous ride-hailing services as a complement to public transit are, according to CityLab’s David Zipper, greenwashing.

November 1 - Bloomberg CityLab

View of E-World 83 Tower in Seoul, South Korea through branches full of white and pink cherry blossoms.

Seoul’s Urban Parks Blossom with Books

The Reading in Seoul Garden event invited residents to enjoy free reading and relaxation activities, including digital and live programs, in scenic parks, fostering a sense of community amid the city’s autumn landscapes.

November 1 - The Korea Times

Graphic with blue background, flags, and text reading 2024 Presidential Election

BLOG POST

Where 2024 Presidential Candidates Stand on 12 Issues Important to Urban Planners

Whether you’re yet undecided or have already cast your early vote, here is a roundup of the key positions of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on important urban planning policies.

October 31 - Mary Hammon

Affordable housing

FEATURE

Commentary: How Can We Solve America’s Affordable Housing Crisis? CDFIs are the Key

As financial institutions whose mission is to support underserved communities, community development financial institutions can be key partners to ensure public-private efforts to build affordable housing pencil out.

October 31 - Bernel Hall

Close-up of computer screen with VRBO short-term rental platform site open.

How Much Are Short-Term Rentals to Blame for the Housing Crisis?

Whether and how deeply Airbnb and other short-term rentals affect housing costs depends largely on local conditions and economies.

October 31 - CNN

Person pusing person sitting in wheelchair down airplane ramp toward airplane at airport.

Delta Announces Wheelchair-Friendly Seating

The airline will soon allow passengers using wheelchairs to remain in their own equipment during flights.

October 31 - Fast Company

Low view of bike lane on New York City street with bike share station next to curb.

Study: NYPD Routinely Fails to Cite Illegal Parking Violations

Complaints to the city’s 311 line about blocked bike or transit lanes that endanger pedestrians and people on bikes are frequently closed without resolution.

October 31 - StreetsBlog NYC

Blue and white Paramus, New Jersey town entrance sign.

New Jersey Calls for 85,000 New Housing Units

A state law known as the Mount Laurel Doctrine mandates that each jurisdiction accommodate enough new housing units to meet the local demand for affordable housing.

October 31 - Morristown Daily Record

View of downtown Dallas, Texas skyline with skyscrapers against twilight sky.

FEATURE

How the Post-Covid Reality Is Reshaping Central Business Districts and Urban Centers

U.S. cities are working to redefine their downtowns in response to the “donut effect:” people and businesses abandoning city centers and flocking to suburban areas and beyond.

October 31 - Wes Guckert

Washington state capitol dome in Olympia, Washington.

Olympia Draft Transportation Plan Zeroes in on Complete Streets, Bike Infrastructure

The city’s comprehensive plan update could signal a shift in transportation planning priorities to a more comprehensive approach that ensures safer roads for all users.

October 30 - Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater

Aerial view of steep cliffs and large homes in Rancho Palos Verdes, California on Pacific Ocean.

Southern California City Offers Buyout to Homeowners Facing Erosion Threat

Power and gas were shut off to dozens of homes in Rancho Palos Verdes as landslides threatened homes and infrastructure. Now, the city is offering to buy the homes to help residents relocate.

October 30 - ABC 7

Roadside sign for Nevada Utah State Line "Entering Ely District" with Bureau of Land Management logo with desert mountains in background.

More States Push Back on BLM’s Conservation Rule

Twelve states and industry groups are supporting Utah’s lawsuit against the Bureau of Land Management, arguing the agency can’t bar extractive uses on ‘unappropriated’ public lands.

October 30 - Utah News Dispatch

Person on bike rides in marked bike lane with brownstone homes in background in Phialdelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philly Council Wants to Crack Down on Bike Lane Parking

The city council passed a bill that would raise penalties and eliminate a grace period for drivers who stop in bike lanes.

October 30 - Philly Voice

Post News

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.

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.