The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

NYC Budget Makes Key Building Code Change
The change could spur more housing development if accompanying reforms in the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity plan are approved.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit Launches First Ever Climate Action Plan
In addition to reducing emissions, the agency officials hope the climate action plan will help increase ridership and boost their competitiveness when applying for federal transit funding.

Planting Trees Where They are Most Needed
Recently, the U.S. Forest Service awarded over $1 billion in competitive grants to expand equitable access to trees and their benefits. Grantees include Los Angeles County and TreePeople, who are working to plant trees where they are most needed.

Seattle Mayor Raises Transportation Levy by $100 Million
The proposal sent to City Council includes more funding for multimodal transportation and road safety.
Expansion of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Approved
President Biden just signed a proclamation to expand the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument by over 100,000 acres.

New Documentary Highlights Regenerative Agriculture and Climate Change
Common Ground is a recently released documentary which urges viewers to rethink our relationship with soil and approach to agriculture and food production.

Detroit Metro Testing ‘Smart Road’ Tech
Sensors installed along a segment of Interstate 94 could help improve safety, limit speeding, and alert officials to potholes and debris.

HUD Issues Fair Housing Guidance for AI
AI software used to select tenants or target housing advertisements has the potential to introduce discrimination and bias.

Cincinnati Bike Share System To Relaunch May 13
The Red Bike system suspended operations in March, but has since raised funds through a private campaign to resume service.

New York City Plans Street Safety Projects as Congestion Pricing Nears
With congestion pricing projected to reduce the number of cars entering Manhattan, NYCDOT plans to repurpose street space to build more pedestrian and bike infrastructure.

Redefining Housing Affordability
A new study highlights how many — or how few — Californians can afford to live in each of the state’s counties.

A Cutting-Edge Planning Hackathon in Seattle
In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe covers an atypical urban planning and policy gathering called an “Urban Resilience Hackathon,” which was held at the University of Washington in Seattle late last month. For a day, the event showcased collaborative problem solving and innovative thinking in addressing urban challenges.

Waymo Expanding Robotaxi Service to More Bay Area Cities
The company was permitted to operate in 22 Bay Area cities without restrictions in March.

The BLM’s Conservation and Landscape Health Rule: An Explainer
Why is the agency’s effort to put conservation on an equal footing with other uses so controversial?

This Highway in Indiana Will Charge EVs
The project will test a technology that wirelessly charges vehicles driving or parked on the roadway.

Houston to Make a Car-Free Downtown Corridor Permanent
A seven-block stretch of Main Street will be permanently blocked off to traffic and enhanced to create a vibrant, pedestrian friendly zone.

Ohio City Refiles Charges Against Pastor for Zoning Code Violations
After a judge-mediated agreement between Bryan, Ohio, and the Dad’s Place over zoning code and fire code violations, the city has once again filed criminal charges against the pastor.

Connecticut Bill Could Streamline Adaptive Reuse
The proposed law would exempt some conversion projects from local zoning regulations.

Video: Zeroing in on Nighttime Traffic Deaths
Three in four pedestrian deaths in the United States happen at night.

Op-Ed: How ‘Useful’ Businesses Boost Walkability
When mixed-use development isn’t enough to create vibrant, walkable neighborhoods.
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