The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Energy efficient canopy over building at Cornell Tech

Efficiency Retrofits Get Expanded Tax Credits Under Inflation Reduction Act

The doubled incentive could be a ‘tipping point’ for innovative construction materials that were too expensive for most projects.

August 22 - Globe St.

Woman in yellow top sitting at wood kitchen island looking at laptop

Remote Work Is Here To Stay

Based on available data, working from home is likely to remain a popular option with a high percentage of workers, changing the ways and places Americans live, work, and travel.

August 22 - The Washington Post

A mid-rise building with retail and apartments. A car port announces the name of the development: Avalon.

National Redevelopment Role Model: Alpharetta, Georgia

Cities around the country have taken notice of the big redevelopment programs in the city of Alpharetta.

August 22 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Two yellow pipes for natural gas or oil agains ta backdrop of snow

The Big Divide Between Big and Little Oil on the New Climate-Energy Law

President Joe Biden signed what he called “one of the most significant laws in our history” last Tuesday. The energy provisions in the law that benefit oil and gas extraction exposed different perspectives within the industry on the law.

August 22 - Bloomberg News

Town sign for Mojave, California

Inland Port Planned for Mojave Desert

California’s Kern County approved plans to build a 410-acre logistics hub to expand capacity for cargo coming from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

August 22 - Globe St.


Food truck customers holding food with food trucks in background

Denver Food Truck Ban Could be Unconstitutional

In a letter to city officials, a law firm called on the city to lift restrictions on food trucks, saying the ban “smacks of protectionism” and could violate equal protection guarantees.

August 22 - Denver Post

U.S> Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg delivers a speech in front of a bridge in Washington, D.C. The podium where he stands has a sign that reads: "Building a Better America."

BLOG POST

How Locals Are Planning to Spend $2.2 Billion in RAISE Transportation Grants

The U.S. Department of Transportation earlier this month announced $2.2 billion in RAISE grants. The Biden administration has promised that the RAISE grant program will improve equity and sustainability in the nation's transportation systems.

August 22 - James Brasuell


Massachusetts

Boston Will Urge Developers to Provide Diversity Disclosures

Stopping short of a mandate, the city plans to request that developers provide information about diversity and inclusion on their teams.

August 22 - The Boston Globe

California Shelter-in-Place

Analysis of Downtown Recoveries Reveals Post-Pandemic Winners and Losers

The recovery of U.S. downtowns is happening at widely different paces depending on which city you consider.

August 21 - Institute of Governmental Studies

View of buildings in Bangkok business district through extremely orange sunlight

PLANOPEDIA

What Is the Urban Heat Island Effect?

Man-made surfaces and urban density contribute to higher temperatures, intensifying heat waves and posing a growing danger to public health.

August 21 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up of curve ahead sign on highway

Traffic Safety Has a Men Problem

Research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety paints a damning picture of the behavior of men behind the wheel of automobiles.

August 21 - KSL

Uber Dumbo

‘Instagrammed to Death’ or a Return to Pre-Pandemic Normal?

Familiar controversies might seem reassuring in 2022.

August 21 - The New York Times

Colorado River

Department of the Interior Forced to Intervene on the Colorado River

More questions than answers on the Colorado River this week as the federal government failed to deliver on threats to force Southwest states to cut back on water use.

August 19 - High Country News

For Rent

Explaining Rent Inflation

The delayed effects of changes in rent costs make rent inflation a difficult figure to pin down.

August 19 - The Atlantic

Two cyclists on a paved bike trail through short grass with Dallas buildings in background

Dallas Names 66-Mile Bike and Walking Trail

When complete, the newly named DFW Discovery Trail will incorporate 50 miles of existing trails into a regional ‘super highway.’

August 19 - The Dallas Morning News

Pedestrians crossing a busy crosswalk on New York City street with tall buildings in background

Vision Zero Still a Pipe Dream as Road Deaths Continue to Climb

U.S. traffic fatalities hit a twenty-year peak in the first quarter of 2022.

August 19 - Route Fifty

110 Freeway

Opinion: Los Angeles Transportation Plan Will Increase Driving

L.A. Metro’s plan to add hundreds of miles of new traffic lanes is projected to increase carbon emissions by 10 million metric tons.

August 18 - Los Angeles Times

Flooding at the Whitehall Street station, New York

How Extreme Weather Threatens Transit Systems

As weather events become more intense and unpredictable, transit agencies must take steps to protect their aging infrastructure from flooding, storms, and extreme heat.

August 18 - Next City

Denver Region

PLANOPEDIA

What Is the Transect?

In urbanism and planning, the term transect provides a conceptual framework for understanding how the scale of built environments can vary from place to place.

August 18 - James Brasuell

Close-up of car tailpipe emitting smoke

Federal Rule Would Require Regional Emissions Reduction Targets

A rule shelved during the Trump administration would require states and metropolitan areas to set targets for reducing tailpipe emissions, but advocates say it doesn’t go far enough to mandate results.

August 18 - Governing

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.