The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

The historic Pearl District in San Antonio is pictured on a beautiful dat.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Department Launched in San Antonio

San Antonio has set goals for diversity and inclusion in all services by establishing a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Department.

December 30 - San Antonio Report

The first R1T built for a customer rolling off Rivian's assembly line at their plant in Normal, IL

Georgia Offers Massive Incentive Package to EV Manufacturer

Critics question the wisdom of giving Georgia's largest-ever incentive package to electric car manufacturer Rivian to secure a new factory and job training center in East Atlanta.

December 30 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Governors Island

Finalists Selected for Governors Island Climate Research Center

Four teams will submit detailed proposals for a new climate research and education center on New York's Governors Island.

December 30 - The Architect's Newspaper

Joe Biden sits in a chair holding a microphone in front of a screen that reads Wall Street Journal and Infrastructure

FEATURE

Year in Review: The Stories That Defined Urban Planning in 2021

Part two (of two) of Planetizen's review of 2021 collects the biggest stories and storylines of the year from the wide world of planning.

December 30 - James Brasuell

Amazon Fulfillment Center

Amazon Plans Further Expansion

On the heels of building its HQ2 facility in Arlington, Amazon continues to expand its hubs in cities spread out across the country.

December 29 - GeekWire


Regional Transit

Remote Workers: The New Supercommuters

Workers who moved away from their jobs during the pandemic are adjusting to longer commutes as employers start asking them to return to the office.

December 29 - Bloomberg CityLab

A vial of blood marked "Omicron" sits on top of paperwork indicating relevance to Covid-19.

Your Date With Omicron

“All of us have a date with omicron,” Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, told The Associated Press on Dec. 20, adding "...and the best way you can encounter this is to be fully vaccinated.”

December 29 - The Hill


Multiple bridges busy with cars cross Lady Bird Lake outside downtown Austin, Texas.

Vision Zero Projects Reduce Carnage in Select Corners of Austin

Vision Zero safety improvements at High Injury Roadways and implementation and Leading Pedestrian Intervals are reducing crashes in Austin. The city has a long way to go to achieve Vision Zero.

December 29 - Fox 7 Austin

Al Fresco Streets

Opinion: Keep Outdoor Dining Without Thwarting Creativity

While New York City's effort to make its outdoor dining program permanent is a welcome reimagining of public space, some worry that regulations will reduce design diversity and increase costs for small restauranteurs.

December 29 - Curbed

Pittsburgh at Night

Pittsburgh Becomes First 'Dark Sky' City in Eastern U.S.

As evidence showing the benefits of dark skies builds, Pittsburgh becomes the first eastern American city to enact a dark sky policy.

December 29 - Bloomberg CityLab

A pair of bikes are leaning against a street sign on an urban street in Philadelphia.

New Philly Bike Racks Blend Form, Function, Fire Hydrant Access

The clever designs serve multiple purposes—providing more bike parking while getting cars out of illegal parking spaces.

December 29 - Next City

Baltimore Rowhouses

Study: Housing Market Instability Requires Robust Policy Response

A report from the Urban Land Institute calls for a multi-faceted approach to stabilizing the housing market and protecting tenants and homeowners.

December 29 - Smart Cities Dive

Water SUpply

States Agree to Drastic Water Cuts From Colorado River

In the throes of a historic megadrought, three Southwestern states will make deep reductions in their water usage to preserve diminishing resources.

December 28 - Los Angeles Times

A vial of blood marked "Omicron" sits on top of paperwork indicating relevance to Covid-19.

The Great American COVID Testing Failure

Americans who want to know if they are infected with the coronavirus are waiting hours to get tested and not finding rapid tests for at-home testing. Health experts had presented a plan to the administration in October to avoid this crisis.

December 28 - Vanity Fair

Los Angeles Traffic - The Newhall Pass

Cities and Automobile Dependence: What Have We Learned?

Thirty years ago Peter Newman and Jeff Kenworthy introduced the concept of automobile dependency. In this article they reexamine the evidence, consider criticisms, and discuss how their insights changed—sometimes painfully—planning practices.

December 28 - Gasoline Consumption and Cities Revisited: What Have We Learnt?

Chicago ADA Access

Better Access to Urban Opportunities

A major new Coalition for Urban Transitions guide offers specific recommendations for COVID-19 recovery, climate emergency response, and poverty reduction through policies that make cities more accessible, sustainable, and inclusive.

December 28 - Better Access to Urban Opportunities: Accessibility policy for cities in the 2020s

Seattle Coronavirus

Seattle Times Editorial Board: Time for Pike Place Market to Go Car-Free

It's been more than a century since the Seattle City Council decided to remove farmstands to make space for cars at the Pike Place Market. Public and political opinion is starting to see that decision as a mistake that can be reversed.

December 28 - The Seattle Times

Texas Bullet Train

Eminent Domain Questions Still Dog Texas Central High Speed Rail Plans

The Texas Attorney General took a break from its crusade against unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud to weigh in on a controversial question of property rights.

December 28 - Texas Tribune

The interior of a Tesla, with a large video screen. The person behind the wheel is touching the screen.

Tesla Reverses on Video Games for Drivers

Tesla's rollout of video games that can be played by drivers on the center consoles of the automakers cars has quickly turned into a recall.

December 28 - Associated Press via The Guardian

COVID-19 City

FEATURE

What Can Lessons From Traffic Safety Teach About the Covid Response?

Finger waggings aren't effective for pedestrian safety—so why should they work for public health? A "safe system" approach, created for traffic safety in Sweden, offers a model for improved pandemic public health outcomes, according to this opinion.

December 28 - Angie Schmitt

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An annual review of books related to planning.

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The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

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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.