The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Kitsilano Beach Park

Squamish Nation Plans 6,000-Unit Development in Vancouver

The residential development in Vancouver, located on Squamish Nation land, will be significantly larger than what was initially planned.

November 10 - The Globe and Mail

Gowanus Canal

Transfer of Air Rights Sought to Finance Public Housing Improvements in Brooklyn

The rezoning of the neighborhood of Gowanus in Brooklyn is providing opportunities for local politicians to address local needs.

November 10 - Crain's New York Business

Cupertino, California

Why Big Tech Billions Won't Dent California's Housing Crisis

New multibillion-dollar affordable housing commitments from leading tech firms may build out thousands of units, but that's nothing next to California's gargantuan housing shortage.

November 9 - The New York Times

Shasta Lake

Environmental Study of Shasta Dam Project Halted

The federal government was considering a plan to raise the height of the dam on California's largest reservoir. But the area’s water district recently announced that it will not continue with an environmental study of the project.

November 9 - High Country News

Tacoma Washington

Election 2019: Devastating Transportation Funding Loss in Pacific Northwest

Washington voters' approval of Initiative 976, which put a limit on car tab increases as well as repealing many motor vehicle fees, will have far-reaching consequences for funding road maintenance, transit, and bike and pedestrian projects.

November 9 - The Seattle Times


Seattle Road Toll

Today's the Day for Seattle's New Highway 99 Tunnel Tolls

The long-awaited tolling of the new Highway 99 tunnel, which replaced the Alaskan Way Viaduct earlier this year, starts today.

November 9 - The Seattle Times

New York Subway Stairs

Saturday Satire: The Accessibility Meeting Is Located Down Three Flights of Stairs

A satirical piece published by McSweeney's calls attention to the remaining work to done in building a truly accessible built environment.

November 9 - McSweeney's


Electric Cars

Chuck Schumer Lays Out Ambitious Clean Vehicle Plan

The Senate Minority Leader's plan calls for federal grants to subsidize electric vehicle purchases, build out charging infrastructure, and retool automotive manufacturing.

November 8 - The New York Times

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Criticism of a Gas Station Proposed for the Philadelphia Waterfront

A case study in development proposals not matching planning ambitions on the Delaware River Waterfront in Philadelphia.

November 8 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Brooklyn, New York City

Living in the Gentrified Version of Fort Greene, Brooklyn

The New York Times notes the gentrification of Fort Greene, but caters to the people would looking for places to live in the neighborhood.

November 8 - The New York Times

Detroit Skyline

Detroit Tax Abatement Will Keep Senior Renters in Upscale Building

The city worked with the owners of an apartment building to maintain lower rents so longtime residents would not be displaced after renovations.

November 8 - Detroit Free Press

Portland

Opinion: Portland Housing Reforms Are the Solution Needed Now

A trio of housing reforms would allow increases in housing density and make anti-displacement a policy priority in Portland, Oregon.

November 8 - The Oregonian

Port Authority of Allegheny County

New Local Celebrity: Sinkhole Bus

Pittsburgh-area residents are finding numerous ways to celebrate a bus's misfortune.

November 8 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Toronto's Poverty Plan Meets the Budget Process

Toronto approved a ten-year poverty reduction strategy in 2015, but the policies and programs included in that plan still require budgetary commitments.

November 8 - The Star

Metro Twin Cities

Two Years In, a Look at the Twin Cities Fare Discount Program

In 2017, Metro Transit in the Twin Cities raised fares but also started a program for low-income riders to help ease the burden of travel costs.

November 8 - Pioneer Press

Subway Turnstiles

The Onion Satirizes New York's Fare Enforcement Techniques, Over Spending on Transit

Two jokes in one: The Onion reports a totally fake news story about New York builds a super expensive fake subway station just to bust fare evaders.

November 8 - The Onion

Gentrify Occupy

Strategies for Discussing Urban Revitalization in Context of Gentrification

With concerns about gentrification sometimes, and in some places, dominating the discussion, it can be difficult to advocate for revitalization.

November 8 - Shelterforce

Syracuse Highway

Can Reparations Right the Wrongs Caused by a Highway?

An elevated highway destroyed an African American community in Syracuse, New York. Is just removing it enough?

November 7 - The Washington Post

California State Water project

Trump Administration's New CA Water Plan Chooses Farmers Over Fish

A plan to divert water to farmers in California, released at the end of October, would allow for the annihilation of winter-run Chinook Salmon.

November 7 - East Bay Express

Sidewalk

Without Sidewalks, Making Seattle Streets More Pedestrian Friendly

Over a quarter of city blocks lack sidewalk infrastructure. An advocacy project to reduce traffic speeds and increase pedestrian safety on these streets has evolved into a city-funded program.

November 7 - Next City

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