The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Seattle Neighborhood

The Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda Era Concludes in Seattle

Before YIMBY was a household word and before Minneapolis ended single-family zoning, Seattle's Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) broke the planning status quo.

February 26 - Sightline Institute

Denver

Climate Agency Opens Shop in Denver

A high-profile appointment highlights the launch of Denver's new Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency.

February 26 - Colorado Community Media

Superstorm Sandy

Federal Storm Surge Study Called Off Suddenly, Leaving New York Exposed

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was on the verge of proposing a plan to protect New York City from storm surges and sea-level rise. Instead, the city of New York has lost federal support for a path toward climate resilience.

February 26 - Gothamist

London Ride Hailing

Ride-Hailing Companies Greatly Increase Pollution, Study Says

The reality of ride hailing has fallen well short of the wishful thinking about reduced congestion and reduced pollution that defined the early days of Uber and Lyft.

February 26 - The Verge

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville Needs Sidewalks on 1,900 Miles of Streets

Nashville builds four miles of sidewalk a year.

February 25 - WSMV


Brutalism

Bribery Scandal Leads to Zoning Board Reforms in Boston

The planning approvals process took a black eye in Boston last year, when a bribery scandal sent a Boston Planning and Development Agency staffer to jail.

February 25 - The Boston Globe

Center City, Philadelphia

Philly Safe Streets Advocates Want What San Francisco and New York Are Having

The idea of blocking major streets to private automobiles is making advocates envious in cities that have yet to implement the idea. A petition is circulating to give the car-free treatment to Chestnut Street in Philadelphia.

February 25 - Billy Penn


Space X

Hyperloop Now a Legal Public-Private Partnership Opportunity in Missouri

Missouri lawmakers removed a barrier to the creation of a Hyperloop test facility in St. Louis.

February 25 - St. Louis Business Journal

U.S. Census Bureau

Survey Reveals Key Knowledge Gaps Regarding 2020 Census

Most Americans are aware that the 2020 Census is underway, but many still lack information about key details of the big, national headcount.

February 25 - Pew Research Center

CTA Bus

Chicago to Pilot All-Door Bus Boarding

Chicago is late to the game on all-door bus boarding, but that will change this summer.

February 25 - Chicago Tribune

European City

Watch: Public Transit Goes Fare-Free in Luxembourg, Starting March 1

On March 1, Luxembourg will be the first country in the world to make all its public transit free to ride.

February 25 - Tom Scott on YouTube

Car-Centric Legos

Lego Neglects Space for Bike Lanes

A Dutch advocate believes Lego's city sets should reflect streets that prioritize all users. Including bike lanes would be one way for the toy manufacturer to start accomplishing that goal.

February 25 - The Verge

Electric Train

TOD and Zero-Emission Trains: Can You Guess Where the Controversy Is?

The nation's first fuel cell electric train will make its debut in Southern California in about four years, but it's also associated with a controversial ballot measure on the station sites that voters of Redlands will decide on Super Tuesday.

February 24 - KVCR

Presidential Campaign

Scrutinizing the Reality of Bernie's Energy and Climate Plans

CNN host Fareed Zakaria questions whether the goals of Sanders' ambitious Green New Deal are realistic.

February 24 - The Washington Post

Condos Smart Growth

Smart Growth America Promotes the Transportation and Climate Initiative

Former Maryland Gov. Parris Glendening penned a local opinion for The Washington Post in support of the TCI to advance funding of alternatives to driving and ask readers to shape the controversial initiative by submitting comments by Feb. 28.

February 24 - The Washington Post

South Los Angeles Market-Rate Housing Development

Developer Sues L.A. After Area Planning Commissioners Reject Multi-Family Project

A development controversy also now an expanding legal controversy, after a local planning commission rejected a controversial development proposal allowed by zoning.

February 24 - Los Angeles Times

San Francisco Rail Transit

Uber App Feature Integrates Transit and Ridesharing

Uber’s "Make My Train" app feature lets riders better plan journeys across modes.

February 24 - Smart Cities Dive

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

Blue Line Extension on the Table in Virginia

Virginia could kick off an extension of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) Blue Line by funding a study in this year's state budget.

February 24 - The Washington Post

New York City Traffic

New York City Congestion Pricing Confounded by Federal Delay

While New York City's congestion pricing scheme waits for needed federal approval, political support seems to waver.

February 24 - Politico

Shopping Cart

BLOG POST

Dollar Stores and Grocery Stores

Opponents of dollar stores argue that dollar stores are the mortal enemy of grocery stores. Is this really true?

February 24 - Michael Lewyn

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.