The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

A subdivision of large suburban homes, some with bright blue pools, sits atop a low hill in Hays County, Texas.

Pressing Pause on Development in the Shadow of Austin's Growth

The Dripping Springs City Council points to inadequate wastewater infrastructure and the need to update its comprehensive plan as reasons for the city's development moratorium.

February 17 - Community Impact Newspaper

Solar panels are lined up on agricultural land.

Legislation Would Limit Solar Power Installation on Agricultural Land in Iowa

If SF 2171 wins approval in the Iowa State Legislature, solar will have a limited number of options for installation on agricultural land.

February 17 - Iowa Public Radio

San Francisco, California

Beleaguered San Francisco Bus Project To Open April 1

San Francisco's much-delayed Van Ness BRT line, expected to speed up travel along the 'grandest boulevard,' has finally received an opening date.

February 17 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Mail delivery trucks in the parking lot at the United States Postal Service (USPS) main post office and distribution facility at 715 NW Hoyt Street in Portland, Oregon.

USPS Says It Needs More Money To Electrify Fleet

The agency claims the federal government isn't providing enough funding to switch more of its delivery trucks to electric vehicles.

February 17 - Gizmodo

A woman wears a mask during the Covid-19 pandemic in a large crowd at a transit station in New York City.

BLOG POST

Stimulus Funds Not Enough to Guarantee Transit's Future in D.C. and L.A.

In statements that echo the alarm of March 2020, transit officials in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. recently announced plans to reduce transit service.

February 17 - James Brasuell


Celebration Florida

Disney Plans New Residential Developments

Despite the less-than-magical results of its experiment in Celebration, Florida, Disney has announced plans to build a chain of master-planned communities around the country.

February 17 - The Verge

California

A Vacancy Tax for San Francisco? Voters Might Have a Say.

A San Francisco politician is pushing for a vacant home tax to appear on the November ballot.

February 16 - San Francisco Chronicle


Earthquake damage

Protecting Affordable Housing After Natural Disasters

Research shows that low-income communities suffer most and take the longest to recover from disasters, which can often wipe out affordable housing stock and displace vulnerable households.

February 16 - The Conversation

West 72nd Street

Study: Speed Camera Citations Correlate to Safe Infrastructure

New research suggests that fewer speeding tickets are issued in neighborhoods where the city has invested in traffic calming and pedestrian safety improvements.

February 16 - Streetsblog New York City

Tampa Skyline

South Florida Renters Struggle To Find Affordable Housing

Tenants in Tampa Bay are finding it increasingly difficult to access stable housing as rents rise and affordable building stock dwindles.

February 16 - News4Jax

Hope VI Housing

Washington State Weighs Housing Benefit Districts

A proposed state bill would institutionalize a funding mechanism that could direct millions in new revenue to affordable housing development.

February 16 - The Urbanist

Rendering of Leaside Innovation Centre

Sustainable Office Building To Rise in Toronto's Leaside

The mass timber construction, proximity to transit, and bike room make a proposed Toronto building a model for post-pandemic offices.

February 16 - Treehugger

Indianapolis Cityscape

New Bus Rapid Transit Line Expected To Revitalize Indianapolis Neighborhoods

In addition to connecting residents to jobs and medical facilities, city leaders hope the BRT line will boost economic development along the route.

February 16 - NBC News

Construction Worker

Why 'Accidents' Are Not Inevitable

A new book argues that accidental deaths, from car crashes to industrial accidents, are a result of a 'rapacious' capitalist system that prioritizes profits over people.

February 16 - Streetsblog New York City

Metro Train Station

Lawmaker Proposes Permanent Environmental Review Exemptions for Transit Projects

A 2020 law that exempts transit, bike, and pedestrian projects from California's strict environmental review process could become permanent.

February 15 - SFBay

Pumping Gas

Time for a Federal Gas Tax Holiday?

Senate Democrats introduced legislation to lower gas prices by suspending the federal gas tax through the end of the year. General funds would be directed to the Highway Trust Fund to replace gas tax revenue.

February 15 - Fox Business

A yellow sign street sign showing the symbol for a speed bump: a simple black bump.

Speed Cushion Pilot Project Drastically Reduces Vehicle Speeds in Cincinnati

With Vision Zero faltering around the country, maybe it's time to get back to the fundamentals of street design. An example from Cincinnati shows how street improvements can achieve significant improvements with relatively little expense.

February 15 - CityBeat

Students passing through the historic Sather Gate on the University of California, Berkeley campus.

Without New Environmental Impact Report, UC Berkeley Will Enroll Thousands Fewer Students

A high-profile example of the power of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) might cause thousands of students to miss out on a chance to attend the University of California, Berkeley.

February 15 - Berkeleyside

An overhead image of a large wooden building as it's being constructed.

BLOG POST

Ballot Initiative Could Overturn California's Zoning Reforms

The "mother of all NIMBY initiatives" is seeking signatures to qualify for the statewide ballot in California.

February 15 - James Brasuell

A map showing proposed zones for future development in the city of Rochester, New York.

Rochester, New York Drafts a Zoning Map to Match its New Comprehensive Plan

The Rochester 2034 Zoning Alignment Project is implementing the award-winning Rochester 2034 Comprehensive Plan.

February 15 - WXXI News

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

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Planning for Universal Design

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