The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Cyclists riding on green painted bike lane protected by flexible post delineators in Chicago, Illinois.

Study: Lack of Safe Infrastructure Keeps People Away From Active Transportation

Roughly two-thirds of respondents to an REI Co-op survey said they would ride bikes more if protected bike lanes and other safety measures were more prevalent in their communities.

May 15 - REI Co-op

Aerial view of traffic on road and buildings in the Bronx, New York City

Critics Say New York Highway Expansion Plans Oppose Climate Goals

Plans to widen some roads are drawing backlash from transit advocates who say they will lead to an increase in congestion and truck traffic.

May 15 - New York Daily News

Aerial view of Fort Martin coal power plant near Morgantown, West Virginia.

Red States Challenge Biden Rules That Threaten Coal Power Plants

The publication in the Federal Register on May 9 of the Environmental Protection Agency's New Source Performance Standards for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from new power plants triggered the filing of 25 lawsuits from Republican-led states.

May 14 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Aerial view of dense housing in San Francisco Bay Area.

Is California's Housing Situation Turning Around?

Population is stagnant. But housing supply is growing. Is this the beginning of a Great Correction?

May 14 - California Planning & Development Report

Rail tracks on the left, rustic log-built train station painted reddish brown with a green metal roof and concrete platform on the right, evergreen forest and bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds in the background.

More Passenger Rail Coming to Montana

Planning is underway to restore a 45-year-defunct regional passenger rail line connecting southern Montana to Billings and Amtrak’s east-west Empire Builder line from Seattle to Chicago.

May 14 - 8KPAX


White Waymo self-driving taxi on street in San Francisco, California with brick buildings in background.

The Era Of Autonomous Vehicles Has Arrived

Autonomous vehicles are no longer perpetually “five years away.” They are here now. Planners must act now to ensure they don't degrade city life.

May 14 - California Planning & Development Report

Green sign with white text 'Shiloh Town Limits' against green grassy field with small road on left.

Highway Construction Flooded Their Homes; The State Says They’re Not Responsible

An earlier settlement for flood damages incurred by residents of Shiloh, Alabama came with an unexpected condition.

May 14 - Inside Climate News


Children sit on temporary street furniture next to book cart at pop-up reading event at open streets event in Sunset Park in New York City.

Third Spaces and Public Life

Public parks, libraries, and other social infrastructure foster community connections and stave off loneliness. Why are they increasingly deprioritized in civic life?

May 14 - The Deseret News

Aerial view of marshy land at Fort Mose State Historic Park in Florida.

Florida State Park Will Pay Homage to First Free Black Settlement in US

In the late 1700s, Fort Mose was home to enslaved African people seeking freedom from the English colonies farther north along the Atlantic coast.

May 14 - The Washington Post

Line of five cyclists bike away from camera in wide protected bike lane on the right side of a street, with low-rise residential buildings in the background.

FEATURE

Book Review: Shifting Focus from Car-Free to Car-Lite Cities

Instead of aiming to make cities better for bikes, a new book argues we should be making cities better with bikes using a car-lite, not a car-free approach.

May 14 - Stephanie Rouse

Blue tent with small charcoal grill and plastic bin set up by unhoused person in snow in Portland, Oregon.

Portland Replaces Camping Ban With New Policy

Unhoused residents can sleep on public property when no shelter space is available, but still face penalties for violating new regulations or not moving into shelter if offered.

May 13 - Oregon Public Broadcasting

Art Deco Greyhound bus terminal in downtown Cleveland, Ohio.

How Disinvestment and Hedge Funds Are Dismantling the US Intercity Bus System

The most affordable form of long-distance travel is being jeopardized as riders find themselves literally kicked to the curb.

May 13 - Daily Kos

Black cow grazing in field with mountains in background in Montana.

Montana Ranchers Question Massive Solar Project

The $1.2-billion solar farm would provide power to data centers owned by Microsoft, Meta, and others.

May 13 - Cowboy State Daily

View of Potomac Yard train platform with some passengers waiting.

‘Infill Stations’ Bring Transit Closer to Residents

Building new stations along existing transit lines can significantly increase access in formerly passed-over neighborhoods.

May 13 - Bloomberg CityLab

Aerial view of homes on beach in Maui, Hawaii

Hawaii Passes First Legislation Regulating Short-Term Rentals Statewide

The new law will give counties the power to limit number or short-term rentals and convert existing short-term rental units back into long-term residential housing.

May 13 - USA Today

Rural Traffic

FEATURE

Vehicle Miles Traveled Taxes Rollout Across States

Americans are driving more miles than ever before. As vehicles become increasingly fuel efficient, states across the country are considering vehicle miles traveled taxes as an alternative to gas taxes.

May 13 - Jacob Macumber-Rosin

Row of six cyclists riding down asphalt road with large trees on side.

Twin Cities Suburbs Look to Improve Bike Facilities

Communities around Minneapolis and St. Paul are working to build more robust bike infrastructure networks.

May 13 - Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Brick path through an urban park shaded by trees with a river on the righhand side and high-rise buildings in the distance.

First Segment of Jacksonville, Fla., Emerald Trail Opens

The 33-mile trail will connect 14 neighborhoods and numerous community amenities around downtown Jacksonville.

May 13 - 104.5 WOKV

Close-up of express lane marker on Bay Area freeway.

Congestion Pricing in the San Francisco Bay Area

Planners call them “express lanes,” but make no mistake, they are congestion pricing in action, and they're successful. The Bay Area network of what the Federal Highway Administration calls “high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes” is growing.

May 12 - San Francisco Chronicle

Flooded residential street with houses, yards, and trees on each side, a yard sign that reads "high water, no outlet," and a flooded car in the distance.

Severe Flooding Calls Attention to Houston’s Home Buyout Struggles

Recent extreme flooding along the San Jacinto River has prompted a review of the progress of Harris County’s flood-prone home buyout program.

May 12 - Grist

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