The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

New York Biking

New York Needs a Bike Mayor, Say Advocates

More people are cycling in the city, and a Bike Mayor would help promote biking and encourage better, safer infrastructure.

January 18 - Metro

Two Brothers Walk to School

Safe Routes to School Have New Funding Opportunities in Oregon

The Oregon Department of Transportation announced the first round of funding for the Safe Routes to School Competitive Grant Program.

January 18 - Bike Portland

Bikeshare

Bike Lane to Pass in Front of U.S. Capitol Building Remains Delayed

The District Department of Transportation wants to build a bike lane in front of the Capitol Building, but Congress has not authorized the change because of complaints about losing parking.

January 18 - The Washington Post

Chicago Aerial

Chicago Music Venue Operators Still Concerned About Lincoln Yards Project

Assurances that the plan will not include large commercial venues have not calmed fears about the future of local independent clubs.

January 18 - Chicago Tribune

New York

Expert Voices 2019: Why Cities?

As cities define our world in new ways every day, Penn Institute for Urban Research asked nearly dozen urban experts, “Why cities?”

January 18 - Penn IUR Urban Link


Street Cleaning Program Much Better at Writing Tickets

An investigation into Philadelphia's street cleaning program reveals a parking ticket program that doesn't benefit the city as much as it benefits the Philadelphia Parking Authority.

January 17 - WHYY

Extreme Weather

Coastal Virginia Testing a New Approach to Flood Planning

A new flood plan for Norfolk, Virginia aims to establish a new model for coastal resilience.

January 17 - The Virginian-Pilot


Woman on Transit

Study: Crime Concerns Cause Transit's Gender Gap

A new study of transit use in Los Angeles finds safety concerns are keeping women off of public transit.

January 17 - Streetsblog USA

Dunwoody, Georgia

MARTA Launches Station Overhaul, Calls For $100B Transit Investment

CEO and General Manager Jeffrey Park urged a "moonshot for transit" to keep up with population growth over the next 40 years.

January 17 - Smart Cities Dive

Muni San Francisco

San Francisco Bay Area Transit Fare Discount to Start This Fall

Low-income transit users desperately need a break on fares. A discount is on its way, but won’t be available until later in the year, and transit advocates say it’s not enough.

January 17 - San Francisco Chronicle

Construction

Dense Cities Have Less to Offer Low-Skilled Workers Than They Once Did

A study from economist David Autor finds that the higher wages once offered workers without college degrees or special skills are mostly gone. Workers in cities often earn what they would in rural areas.

January 17 - The New York Times

Border Wall

Property Rights Battle Expected Along Trump's Border Wall

Property acquisition in Texas won't come easy.

January 17 - The Washington Post

Subway Station

BLOG POST

A Better Travel Experience

Transportation engineers sometimes treat people as objects to be moved as quickly and cheaply as possible from one location to another, but people have preferences and feelings which should be considered when planning transport systems.

January 17 - Todd Litman

Toronto Bike Infrastructure

A Compelling Case for Protected Bike Lanes

A pilot project of cycle tracks on several streets in Toronto produced almost shockingly positive results for all users of the street. At very little cost, the new bike infrastructure increased total street capacity and improved safety.

January 17 - Toronto Star

Big Box Store

Understanding the 'Dark Store Theory' Costing Local Governments Millions in Property Tax

The New York Times takes a deep dive into the "dark store theory" costing local municipalities millions, and potentially more, in property tax revenues all over the country.

January 17 - The New York Times

Bike Box

Congestion Pricing Takes Major Step Forward in New York City

Suddenly, after years of inaction, momentum is building for congestion pricing in New York City.

January 16 - Grist

Phoenix Aerial

Waterline Breaks Plague Phoenix as City Struggles to Keep Up

Pipeline breaks are a daily occurrence in the city, but funding for an expanded pipe-replacement program has been a contentious issue.

January 16 - azcentral

Boston Bus

Boston to Add 194 Hybrid Buses

The MBTA will use local and FTA monies to bring in the new vehicles which will replace older diesel and hybrid buses aging out of their usable lifespan.

January 16 - The Boston Herald

Water Emergency Transportation Authority

San Francisco Ferry Launches New Commuter Line

The San Francisco Bay ferry system is growing as commuters flee congested roads and overcrowded BART cars.

January 16 - The Mercury News

South Lake Union

Level of Service Reform Bill Approved by Seattle City Council

A major change to planning paradigms in the city of Seattle.

January 16 - The Urbanist

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.