The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
More Details for Planners on the Federal Stimulus Package
As the U.S. House of representatives approved the passive stimulus package approved by the U.S. Senate earlier in the week, more details emerged about the parts of the bill that will be relevant to planners during the coming weeks and months.
Light Rail Service Suspended in San Francisco, South Bay Area
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency announced that it would shift resources away from light rail, starting Monday, and then the Valley Transportation Authority announced it was suspending light rail service in the South Bay immediately.
How We Learn Public Transportation and Infrastructure Lessons
"Who do you learn from?" is a question that transportation planners, particularly in the United States, should ask themselves.
Predicting Hospital Capacity as the Coronavirus Spreads
An analysis of data about hospital capacity and possible infection trends shows that hospital facilities will be stretched thin even in the best-case scenario.
BLOG POST
Planners and Pandemics: Identifying Problems and Providing Solutions
Planners are professional problem solvers. Let’s see how our methods can be applied to the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Density Control Measure to Close Some New York Streets to Cars
To encourage recreational walking while practicing social distancing in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Andrew Cuomo asked the New York City mayor and city council speaker to devise a pilot project to provide for open streets.
In Wyoming, Vast Open Spaces Meet Extreme Gaps Between Rich and Poor
The story of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, illustrates the class tensions that arise when an idealized vision of life close to nature butts up against the realities of wealth, privilege, and social inequality.
Op-Ed: The Importance of Equity in Transportation Planning
Transportation planners must address equity issues in their work and involve the people most affected by the planning and policymaking process.
The Dual Threat of Wildfires and Coronavirus in California
As drought conditions continue, the state is preparing for the possibility that the two dangerous public health and safety threats will overlap.
A Social Distancing Scorecard
A location data company has created a Social Distancing Scorecard to track the progress of Americans, down to the county level, in reducing travel in accordance with recommendations to reduce physical contact.
Britain Shuts Down and India Locks Down to Contain COVID-19
In a major reversal, Prime Minister Boris Johnson dramatically strengthened his policies on containing the pandemic, ordering residents on Monday to stay at home and closing nonessential businesses. Prime Minister Narendra Modi of Inda went further.
FEATURE
The Crisis Within the Crisis: Homelessness and Housing Pushed to the Brink by COVID-19
Cities, states, and the federal government are trying to prevent a repeat of 2008 while still facing the challenges of inequality and poverty that grew out of the previous recession.
Connecticut Town Rejects Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing Facility
The annals of local control, or, as some would say, NIMBYism, have a new chapter.
Planning Work Continues (Remotely) Amid Pandemic
While cities may be shut down, city planners have not turned off the lights. Planning departments around California, which is mostly on lockdown, have resorted to working from home. Long-range planning could even benefit.
L.A.'s Crackdown on McMansions Hasn't Stopped Them from Going Up
Legislation to stop construction of McMansions is being undermined by a zoning loophole.
BLOG POST
Planning Healthy Communities—Beyond the Hype
Evidence-based research can help planners create truly healthy communities. No junk-science please.
Frontlines of the Social Distancing Effort Shifts to Parks and Open Space
Too many people have been seeking normalcy on parks and on trails. This isn’t a normal time.
Updated: $2 Trillion Federal Stimulus Includes Billions for Transit, Housing
The economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic has already hit public transit revenues hard, and the concerns of millions of renters around the country about how they'll afford to pay the rent are weighing heavily on the country.
MLK Jr. Drive in Philadelphia Closed to Motor Vehicles During Pandemic
The closure will give cyclists and pedestrians a safe roadway to use while maintaining social distancing.
Shelter in Place: Working in a Time of Isolation
Need some work-at-home tips from a veteran? Hazel Borys has eight to consider.
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.
