The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Counties in Louisiana, Georgia Lead Nation in COVID Death Rate
All eyes are fixed on New York City, the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak with its skyrocketing deaths, but the six counties with the highest number of coronavirus deaths per capita are in two Southern states as of April 1. Manhattan is #7.

High-Speed Rail Between California and Las Vegas Closer to Becoming a Reality
A $4.8-billion project to run high-speed rail from Southern California to Las Vegas is securing needed funding.

Deciding Not to Rebuild After Climate-Related Disasters
Officials in cities along the East Coast are realizing that maybe they shouldn’t rebuild on land that repeatedly floods. But that’s easier said than done.

How Coronavirus Has Transformed Italy's Urban Spaces
Italy has been hit hard by the pandemic, and slowing the spread of the virus has meant dramatic changes in urban life.

New York Parking Is a Pricey but Valued Amenity
In a city where owning a car can be an expensive burden, off-street parking spaces are still highly desired commodities.

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Cities Should Take Advantage of Low Car Traffic to Accelerate Transit Construction
Beverly Hills is taking advantage of empty streets by accelerating construction on the Purple Line Subway extension currently cutting its way across Los Angeles. More cities should follow Beverly Hills' lead.

Straight Talk from White House Public Health Experts on What to Expect
The public got to view the models that caused the president on Monday to extend the White House Coronavirus Guideline for 30 days. Dr. Deborah Birx, who led the presentation, emphasized that success will come down to behavior to reduce fatalities.

In N.Y.C., Speeding Is Up as Pandemic Continues
Data shows that drivers are speeding on the city’s mostly deserted streets.

Low Car Traffic Enables Accelerated Subway Construction in Southern California
The city of Beverly Hills, long an opponent of the project, is now taking advantage of a lack of car traffic to drastically speed up construction on the Purple Line subway extension.

Drive-Through Coronavirus Testing Promises Not Yet Fulfilled
The number of drive-through testing sites across the country is still low. With continued supply shortages, when and if the situation will change are unclear.

Fiscal Effects of the Pandemic Depend on Tax Structures
Cities that rely on sales and income tax revenues to fund vital local services can expect immediate fiscal consequences from the coronavirus pandemic.

As Coronavirus Spreads, Air Pollution Plummets
More people are driving less and staying at home. The result is significant improvements in air quality in cities across the country.

Urban Forestry Plans Obstructed by Urban Development Plans in D.C.
Growth and development are the biggest obstacles to Washington, D.C.'s plans to add more than 10,000 trees every year over the next 25 years.

BART San Jose Extension Faces Delays and Ballooning Costs
The extension to downtown is a complex and ambitious project facing many challenges and questions about feasibility.

Multifamily Housing Industry Reacts to Congressional COVID-19 Package
The National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) and the National Apartment Association (NAA) on the law's impact on multifamily housing.

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COVID-19 Appreciation Day
April Fool's Day is a good day to consider life from a virus's perspective. Our tiny friends have many positive attributes.

Community Development Is Crucial in This Moment
The pandemic is highlighting the crucial necessity of community developers’ work. Here’s what the field will need to play its part in the recovery.

FEATURE
The Dots of Connectivity and Broken Cultural Links
Connectivity is not just a question of geometry, according to this article by Fanis Grammenos. It's critical to consider what people connect for and how.

How Coronavirus Will Change Cities, From Public to Private Lives
Changes are coming, but they don't have to be anti-urban, and they could mean a more resilient world for cities and communities of all shapes and sizes.

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Will Infrastructure Planners Become Responsible for Facial Recognition Systems?
Facial recognition offers both benefits and risks. Planners can have a role in ensuring more of the former than the latter.
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