The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

New Bus-Only Lanes Arrive in D.C.
The new bus lanes will operate at morning and afternoon rush hours starting today.

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Breaking the Cycle of Automobile Dependency
Many current planning practices reinforce a cycle of increased automobile use, more automobile-oriented community redevelopment, and reduced mobility options. There are good reasons to break this pattern.

New Zoning Code Aims to Remove Red Tape in Des Moines
The city of Des Moines is hoping to update its zoning code for the first time since 1965.

Soccer Stadium Development Opposition Grows to a Neighborhood-Level Movement
Displacement concerns surrounding stadium plans for the FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer team have grown into a citywide call for development approvals reform.

Local Public Housing Agencies Resist HUD's Proposed Section 8 Rule
A proposed rule to disqualify all families living with an undocumented person from receiving federal housing aid is available for comment. We know a few people who oppose the rule.

Evaluating the 2011 'Twitter Tax Break' Along San Francisco's Troubled Market Street
The 2011 "Twitter tax break" was controversial at the time, and remains so to this day. New offices and employees have filled the corridor of Market Street where the tax break is in effect, but massive challenges persist.

Reimagining the Social Value of Public Spaces
While they're often treated as mere assets to be maintained or abandoned for other uses, public spaces can be an active part of cities' plans for equitable revitalization.

Walmart Planning Massive New Arkansas HQ
Another corporate behemoth is planning a new headquarters. But this time cities won't have to compete for it. Walmart is remaining true to its hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas.

Seven Ideas for Tackling the Housing Crisis
One expert's take on the housing crisis and which policy solutions might best counter it.

Op-Ed: SoHo and NoHo Need a Zoning Overhaul
Two SoHo residents argue that outdated zoning holds the Manhattan neighborhoods back, requiring special permits or variances for many current residential and commercial uses.

YIMBYs Leading the Pro-Density Fight
Minneapolis has become an inspiration to other cities about how to successfully challenge NIMBY factions that oppose density and zoning reform.

Report: D.C. Metro Area Still Needs More Housing
Despite a downtown construction boom, housing is still scarce across the Capital Region. And nearly two-thirds of new homes built since the year 2000 have been single-family structures.

BART's New Trains: Back to the Drawing Board to Make More Room for Bikes
BART is readying its "Fleet of the Future," which includes adding more room than originally designed for bike storage.

Water Situation Changes for Sprawling Phoenix-Area Development, Delayed by the Recession
The Phoenix metropolitan area is growing again, but the water supply isn't. Many development plans derailed by the Great Recession won't find it easy to start where they left off.

The Many Nicknames for Chicago's Elevated Railway
The el/El/L debate has never been resolved, but the CTA says its usage is the correct one.

States, Ranked by Quality of Transportation and Infrastructure
The U.S. News World and Report, better known for ranking colleges and universities, recently released a ranking of state transportation systems.

Progress Slow for Milwaukee's Streetcar Extension
Milwaukee's mayor has a $160 million plan to extend The Hop streetcar, but the proposal so far lacks the necessary political support.

Using Gas Tax Revenue to Remove Traffic Lanes Adds to Road Diet Debate
Reducing the number of traffic lanes to improve bike and pedestrian safety can be inherently controversial when auto travel times are increased, and it can upset motorists further when they learn gas taxes are funding those safety improvements.

Op-Ed: Toll Revenues Could Fix Aging New York-Connecticut Rail Connection
Rather than bonds, an op-ed makes the case for electronic tolls to pay for improvements to commuter rail lines between New York City and Connecticut.

Management Shakeup at the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority
The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) renewed its contract with Transdev to oversee transit operation, but is also making significant changes to the management structure, including bringing management positions inside the authority.
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Harvard GSD Executive Education
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.