The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Madrid Pedestrian Street

Driving Ban in Madrid Central Survives Despite Change of Leadership

In sharp contrast to France's yellow vest demonstrations against fuel tax hikes, Madrid residents took to the streets to keep them free of motor vehicles after new leaders were elected who vowed to rescind the driving ban enacted last November.

July 26 - CityLab

Metropolitan Saint Louis Transit Agency

Stop Thinning Underway in St. Louis

Metro Transit recently announced its plans to remove or relocate 450 bus stops systemwide in St. Louis city and county. After adjusting that number to 370 bus stops, the work of consolidating bus stops is underway.

July 26 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

California Wildfire

California Faces Costly Measures in Preparing for Future Wildfires

In California, recovery after wildfires means many upfront investments by communities and the state.

July 26 - The New York Times

Texas Capitol Building

Housing Policy Preemption for Red States

While statewide efforts to loosen zoning restrictions have made news in (mostly) blue states like California and Oregon, (mostly) red states like Florida have been preventing local governments from passing their own housing policies.

July 26 - Pacific Standard

Another 'Poor Door' in San Diego

The developers of a large residential development in the Seat Village neighborhood of San Diego is including a large number of apartments affordable to low-income residents, but in a separate building.

July 26 - The San Diego Union-Tribune


New York Bike Signage

After 17 Deaths in 2019, New York Has a New Bike Safety Plan

Vision Zero has tragically failed 17 people on bikes in New York City this year, and Mayor Bill de Blasio couldn't stick with the status quo any longer.

July 26 - The New York Times

Chicago Intercity Rail

Amtrak Adding Service Between Chicago and Milwaukee

One additional round trip a day will have to do, because adding three new trips proved too many for suburban communities located long the route in Illinois.

July 26 - Chicago Tribune


Superstorm Sandy

Satirizing Mayors Who Campaign for President During a Flood

The Onion took some shots at presidential hopeful and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio after summer rain showers flooded streets and sent water cascading into the city's subway system.

July 26 - The Onion

Translink Bus Service

That's How You Promote Better Bus Service

Along with new, improved bus service, Vancouver's TransLink launched some snazzy promotional materials.

July 26 - Vancouver Sun

Subway Platform

Hastily Constructed, Thoroughly Opposed: MTA Restructuring Plan Still Approved

The MTA board approved a new restructuring plan despite not hearing any words of support from the public.

July 25 - Politico

Scooter Share

Scooter Companies Convene Advisory Groups to Promote Safety

Both Bird and Lime have organized boards of experts to conduct research and advise the companies as their micromobility ventures grow.

July 25 - CityLab

Eviction

The Star-Studded Discussion of the National Housing Debate

Residential zoning has long been considered a local issue, but some presidential candidates have started weighing in on zoning and housing. Journalists, pundits, and researchers have plenty of complexity to examine as the debate changes venue.

July 25 - KCRW

Chicago’s Pace to improve Service with New Platforms and Signal Priority

Pace, the suburban Chicago transit provider, is investing in a route on the city's northwest side, looking to speed up buses and attract new riders.

July 25 - CBS Chicago

Downtown Los Angeles

L.A. Program Brings Earthquake Preparedness to Neighborhoods

A new Los Angeles initiative looks to neighborhood councils to lead disaster planning efforts that involve more residents.

July 25 - Smart Cities Dive

Ventura County

California City Bans the Words 'Managed Retreat' While Wrestling With Sea-Level Rise

Politicians in California are trying to plan for a rising sea, but some have stopped using the phrase “managed retreat” because they feel it derails the process.

July 25 - San Diego Reader

San Francisco Bay Area

S.F. Bay Area City Says It Wants More Housing—But Votes Down Project

The project included everything San Bruno and residents asked for, and it would have helped the city make significant progress in addressing its growing housing crisis. Still, it was voted down.

July 25 - San Francisco Chronicle

Denver Rail

Fewer People Parking at Denver Airport, While Ride Hailing and Rail Numbers Are on the Rise

More people are using the A-Line, Uber, and Lyft to travel to and from Denver International Airport (DIA). With parking numbers down, DIA has scrapped plans for two new parking garages.

July 25 - The Denver Post

Stroller int he Public Realm

New York City Settles in 'Historic' ADA Lawsuit

A lawsuit has forced New York City to invest significant funds and people power to making the public realm more accessible to people with disabilities.

July 25 - Politico

BVG

The Free Public Transit Debate

The pros and cons of fare-free transit involve a range of issues, from operations logistics and outcomes to costs and fiscal priorities.

July 25 - Pedestrian Observations

Smart Infrastructure

BLOG POST

U.S. Falling Behind in Smart City Deployments and Key 21st Century Infrastructure

Recent reporting shows the U.S. falling behind its neighbors in both smart city deployments and 5G network rollouts—the latter of which is slated to be the connective tissue of these future cities. The news has some experts on edge.

July 24 - Robert Fischer

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