The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Downtown Boston

Boston Reconsidering its Inclusionary Zoning Formula

Boston has set the same inclusionary zoning requirements for 19 years, and after a busy 2018, the city could be set to require even more affordable housing with each new development.

March 27 - The Boston Globe

Toll Road Truck

Judge Rules Tolls Are Taxes to Dismiss Truckers' Lawsuit Against Rhode Island

The nation's sole truck-only tolling program survived its first lawsuit after a federal judge dismissed litigation brought by the American Trucking Associations, ruling that the proper venue was state court. ATA believes it is unconstitutional.

March 27 - Transport Topics

Opinion: Promising Complete Streets Project Now a 'Monument to Half-Baked Efforts'

A protected bike lane project in Downtown Los Angeles has ceded too much ground to cars, according to this opinion piece. If only it were the only example to choose from.

March 27 - Los Angeles Times

Portland

What Will the Future of Homeownership Look Like?

Homeownership rates declined precipitously in the United States up until 2016. While that trend has reversed in more recent years, it's still hard to tell what the future of homeownership will be.

March 27 - Harvard Center for Joint Housing Studies


Rome, Italy

Google's New 'Visual Position System' Takes Pedestrian Navigation to the Next Level

In case you've ever felt like Google Maps isn't as helpful on foot as it is in a car, there's a new technology just for you.

March 27 - Gizmodo

U.S. Capital

Senate Votes 0–57 to Rebuff Green New Deal

Not one Democratic senator, including sponsor Ed Markey (Mass.), voted on Tuesday to support the resolution "recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal." Instead, most, but not all, Democrats voted "present."

March 27 - The Washington Post


Williamsburg Brooklyn

Zoning to Protect Manufacturing in N.Y.C.

Development in industrial areas is pushing out manufacturers, but new zoning regulations could help control the incursion.

March 27 - Next City

The Race to Become the First State to Ban Polystyrene Food Containers

Both Maryland and Hawaii are in a race to become the first state to ban polystyrene food containers and beverage cups. The Maryland bill passed the legislature March 12 and awaits a decision by Republican Gov. Hogan. Too early to tell on Hawaii.

March 26 - The Baltimore Sun

Rural Traffic

Replacing Diesel-Powered Trucks With Natural Gas, Hybrid, and Battery Power

The U.S. Department of Energy, in partnership with the California Energy Commission and the South Coast Air Quality Management District, awarded $18 million to nine companies and universities to advance natural gas technology for trucks.

March 26 - Climatewire

Hurricane Harvey Houston

Black Towns Face Threats From Flooding and Buyouts

Many of the historic towns would disappear if flood buyout programs force residents to relocate.

March 26 - Scalawag

California 241 Toll Road

Finger-Pointing Around Outreach Campaign for Southern California Toll Road

To sway public opinion, the Orange County toll road agency hired a group of consultants. Critics say the cost and service delivered aren’t acceptable.

March 26 - Los Angeles Times

Vancouver Skyline

Effectiveness of Vancouver Affordable Housing Program Questioned

With prices listed at $1,600 a month for a studio, $2,800 for a two-bedroom and $3,700 for a three-bedroom, officials in Vancouver, British Columbia are wondering whether the Rent 100 program is achieving its intended goals.

March 26 - The Star Vancouver

Planning Commission in World's Fair office, 1958

Seattle Exhibit Grapples With Redlining Past and Present

A creative exhibit highlights how redlining and racist exclusion persist today.

March 26 - Curbed Seattle

2011 Master Plan for the Central Delaware Cut Philadelphia's Waterfront Short

Waterfront views and large parcels of vacant land should be a good urban revitalization in a growing city like Philadelphia, but the Central Delaware waterfront has fallen short of expectations.

March 26 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Alexandria, Virginia

Ridership Down for Northern Virginia Public Transit

Metrorail has seen ridership improve in Northern Virginia, but not enough to balance out the losses to bus ridership.

March 26 - Inside NOVA

Commute

Opinion: Even the Green New Deal Repeats the Same Old Sprawling Mistakes

With infrastructure and housing prices in the national discussion more than ever before, the federal government still doesn't seem ready to really change its ways.

March 26 - Route Fifty

New York Traffic

Breaking News: New York State Ready to Embrace Congestion Pricing, Finally

The New York State Legislature is preparing to reverse over a decade of reluctance regarding congestion pricing, according to reports from Albany.

March 26 - The New York Times

Route 495 New Jersey

When Traffic Solutions Cause Travel Delays

The poles on Route 495 separate out a bus lane, but riders often find themselves traveling slower than vehicles in the car lanes.

March 25 - NJ.com

Oakland skyline and San Francisco Bay

The Many Ongoing Public Transportation Projects of the Bay Area

The San Francisco Chronicle offers a round-up of 11 big transit projects, by Caltrans, BART, SFMTA, and others, making progress around the bay.

March 25 - San Francisco Chronicle

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.