The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Philadelphia Advocates Sue for Protected Bike Lane
As the city continues to make little progress on planned bike lanes, cyclists are turning to the courts for relief.

'Making Room Housing Program' Would Allow New Density in Vancouver
Duplexes, rowhouses, and small apartment buildings will be on the zoning menu for "housing choice neighborhoods" around Vancouver, thanks to the city's new "Making Room Housing Program."

Arizona Struggles to Balance Demand for Water
Two case studies exemplify the extreme economic and legal pressures surrounding water supply in the state of Arizona.

Facebook Among Targets of HUD's Latest Round of Fair Housing Enforcement
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is taking on one big fish and a few little fish in the battle against housing discrimination.

Anti-Transit Advocates Would Shut Down Light Rail Stops in Maryland
Opposition to construction of rail transit based on concerns about crime is a familiar story to transit planners. Calling for existing transit stops to close is a little less familiar.
Streets, Not Scooters, Are the Problem
The media coverage of a tragic crash in Cleveland shows how long of a leash drivers and street design get in the debate about traffic safety and the public realm.

A New Daytime 'Bus Only' Lane Hits the Street in Seattle
New 'bus only' lanes on 3rd Avenue in Seattle are expected to save bus commuters a lot of time, and bus drivers a lot of headaches.
A Program to Convert Vacant Properties Into Affordable Housing
Rochester, New York is launching the new Neighbors for Neighbors program.

NIMBYs: The Rare Bipartisan Coalition in the United States
One thing liberals and conservatives can both agree on: opposition to development projects.

'Affordable Clean Energy Rule' Proposed to Replace Clean Power Plan
On Tuesday, EPA released its new rule to regulate emissions from existing power plants, essentially leaving it to the states to determine appropriate emissions levels rather than setting actual standards each state has to meet like the current rule.

Funding Pieces Starting to Come Together for Portland Bus Rapid Transit Project
The Division Transit Project recently received some badly needed funding from the city of Portland, finally reversing a streak of bad news. The project will still need a substantial allocation from the federal government.

Affordable Micro-Housing on the Rise in Honolulu
In a first for the island state, a partnership effort has initiated the construction of affordable units in Honolulu averaging 300 square feet apiece.

Where Housing Prices Are Too Low
While the housing crisis of expensive coastal cities gets all the attention, many parts of the country are challenged with real estate markets that lack the stability to attract investments.

Urban Design Professor Suspended for Harassment and Intimidation
The field planning and urban design has seen relatively little in the way of controversy or consequences since the #MeToo movement gained a foothold in the public consciousness. The status quo ended this week.

Floodplain Development Grows as Regulations Shrink
More Americans are moving to high-risk flood zones as environmental deregulation wins the day.

China Population: From Explosion to Implosion
China's one-child policy, which compelled couples to seek abortions or undergo sterilization procedures, ended in October 2015. Yet the country's birth rate hasn't increased, and Communist Party officials are concerned about economic growth.

Treating Self-Driving Cars Like Student Drivers
Eschewing glamor, Drive.ai's self-driving vehicles use bright coloring, insignia, and LED messages to facilitate better interactions with humans on the road.

Chicago Could Be Next to Cap Number of Ride-Hailing Vehicles
After New York City approved a similar law earlier in Agust, two Chicago alderman have proposed a law that would limit the number of vehicles operating for transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft.

No Expected Arrival Time to Relief From Heat on New York City Subway Platforms
One way to spend the afternoon after a long day at work: waiting for a delayed train on a 104-degree subway platform.

Electric Cars: What Are You Waiting For?
Electric cars aren't as expensive as they once were, and the cost of ownership has always been low—so what are you waiting for?
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