The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Twin Cities

Minneapolis Housing Plan a Success—Not for the Reason You Think

Housing advocates praise the city’s move to eliminate single-family zoning by legalizing triplexes on single-family lots, but that isn’t why housing construction is growing.

May 13 - Reason

Tampa Bay Storm

Resilience and Affordable Housing Key Topics at Florida Conference

The conference brought together local planners and policymakers to develop strategies for boosting resilience in coastal areas while maintaining affordable housing stock.

May 13 - St. Pete Catalyst

Pedestrians

How U.S. Infrastructure Perpetuates Car Dependence

The assumption that it’s “impossible” to live without a car in many American cities perpetuates infrastructure projects that privilege and induce driving.

May 12 - The Urbanist

Portland Interchange

Can Portland Have its Climate Goals and Expand its Highways Too?

Portland wants it both ways, but so do most places. But if Portland can't quit the car habit, which cities can?

May 12 - The New York Times

Silicon Valley

Developer Plans To Build Over 500 Housing Units on San Jose Parking Lot

A surface parking lot in San Jose could be redeveloped into a mixed-use development with housing, offices, and retail.

May 12 - Mercury News


A campfire in the wilderness, surrounded by a group of people, burns with the stars overhead.

The Great Outdoors—Sans Campfires

Regulators are increasingly requiring outdoor adventurers to enjoy wilderness excursions without the solace and warmth of a campfire, as the drought and heat of climate change leaves natural areas ready to spark and burn year-round.

May 12 - The Denver Post

portrait of woman walking on the city street covering her ears

California Bill Proposes Automated Noise Pollution Enforcement

If signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, a new bill would use automated sensors and cameras to enforce decibel limits on cars and motorcycles.

May 12 - AutoWeek


Aerial view of Main Street, Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania

Report: Black Homebuyers in Pennsylvania Still Face Discrimination

People of color are more likely to be denied loans, perpetuating historic redlining practices and blocking families from accumulating intergenerational wealth through homeownership.

May 12 - WESA

Chicago Commute

FEATURE

Planning for Congestion Relief

The third and final installment of Planetizen's examination of the role of the planning profession in both perpetuating and solving traffic congestion.

May 12 - James Brasuell

Moscow, Russia

Banning Russian Oil, Part II

Part I occurred when President Biden banned the importation of all Russian fossil fuels on March 8. A month later, Congress passed legislation to codify the embargo. Getting the European Union onboard is proving cumbersome.

May 12 - Politico

hand holding house key with house-shaped keychain and house in background

PLANOPEDIA

What Is Supportive Housing?

Supportive housing combines affordable housing with social services providers to help people experiencing homelessness, disability, or other hardships transition to permanent housing.

May 11 - Diana Ionescu

Early morning view of new neighborhoods and Route 215 from the top of Lone Mountain in Northwest Las Vegas.

Report: Nevada Housing Shortage Worst in the Nation

Nevada’s explosive growth is creating a severe housing shortage, with the state needing almost 80,000 affordable housing units to meet demand.

May 11 - Las Vegas Weekly

Wood-framed apartment building under construction with red crane in background

Critics Call Out City Housing Plans for Unrealistic Projections

Meanwhile, cities say the state’s housing needs assessment sets impossible goals for affordable housing production.

May 11 - The Orange County Register

Bus riders wearing masks on a New York City bus

Post-Pandemic Transit Likely To Remain Less Commuter-Focused

While the future of transit ridership depends on a range of still-uncertain factors, the commuter-centric patterns that characterized pre-COVID transit service are probably a thing of the past.

May 11 - Seattle Transit Blog

Person holding sign that says "Evictions are violence"

Evictions Growing in Texas

The number of evictions in Texas is rising above pre-pandemic levels as renter protections expire.

May 11 - KHOU 11 Houston

Rancho Seco Nuclear Generating Station

$6 Billion to Keep Uncompetitive Nuclear Plants Alive

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes $6 billion to create a credit program to extend the life of existing nuclear power plants, the largest source of carbon-free energy in the nation. The first deadline to bid for credits is May 19.

May 11 - The Washington Post

Governor Hogan Signs Agreement With U.S. DOT for the Purple Line by Steve Kwak at 4800 Veterans Pkwy. Hyattsville MD 20784

Suburban Light Rail To Resume Construction in Maryland

After its first contractor quit more than a year ago, Maryland’s Purple Line project will resume construction with a new team and a projected opening date of 2026.

May 11 - The Washington Post

Cars parked at a beachfront building in Miami, Florida

Miami’s Return to Parking Minimums a Mystery to Housing Advocates

The city’s decision to reinstate parking requirements for housing developments will likely slow the recent boom of ‘missing middle housing’ construction.

May 11 - Slate

Close-up image of person skating on indoor roller rink

From Skates to Shelter: Shuttered Rink To Become Transitional Housing

An iconic roller skating rink, closed during the pandemic, is being transformed into a bridge housing facility for unhoused Angelenos.

May 10 - LAist

Downtown Denver

So Far, Higher Parking Fees Not Reducing Denver Traffic

The city’s efforts to reduce driving and parking downtown by raising parking fees and ticket fines seem to have little effect on driving habits.

May 10 - Axios

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.