The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Chicago Spire

Two Skyscrapers Will Finally Rise Above the Failed Location of the Chicago Spire

Two towers, one reaching 1,100 feet and the other 850 feet, will take their place in the Chicago skyline.

May 21 - The Architect's Newspaper

Dockless Bikeshare

Report Offers Strategies for Dockless Bike and Scooter Success

The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy weighs in on the hottest topic in alternative transportation.

May 21 - Mashable

Solar Residential

Details of the Golden State's Residential Solar Requirement

San Francisco Chronicle energy reporter David R. Baker sheds some light on the nation's first state building code requiring that solar panels be included in new home construction, adopted by the California Energy Commission on May 9.

May 21 - San Francisco Chronicle

Intercity Bus

Flixbus Ready for Inter-City Service in the USA

Flixbus is launching in Los Angeles, aiming for the kind of fast success they've had in Europe where they quickly became the continent’s largest bus provider after being founded in 2013.

May 21 - Quartz

Fertility Rates, Birth Rates, Births Fell to Record Lows in U.S. Last Year

Births and birth rates dropped to a 30-year low, not an issue of concern yet, but if the trend continues, the U.S. could join other developed nations that must deal with the consequences of an aging population. Immigration plays an uncertain factor.

May 21 - NPR: The Two-Way


Texas Outdoors

In Texas, More Sprawl Means More Homes in the Path of Tornadoes

Revisiting one day in 2012, a reporter finds that many of the Dallas-Fort Worth areas affected by the storms were barely inhabited 20 years ago.

May 20 - The Texas Tribune

Vacant Lot in Detroit

Where Vacant Properties Are Still Increasing in Number

In some cities and neighborhoods, the number of vacant properties is the only thing growing.

May 20 - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy


Hollywood Sign

L.A.'s Anti-Density Advocate Still Hopes to Make Planners 'Uncomfortable'

One of the main forces behind Measure S spills her thoughts on Hollywood, homelessness and what’s wrong with planning in Los Angeles.

May 20 - Curbed Los Angeles

Brightline Partners With Lyft for First-Last Mile Fix

Florida's Brightline train system only has one station in each of the three cities it currently serves, so it has sought out a unique solution to the first-last mile challenge.

May 20 - The Palm Beach Post

Hubway Bikeshare

Bikeshare 'Border War' Breaks Out in Boston

Private dockless bikeshare companies are encroaching on territory controlled by public, docked bikeshare companies.

May 20 - The Boston Globe

Self-Driving Car

Self-Driving Car Companies Could Print Money If They Play User Experience Right

Providing user experience in self-driving cars offers an under-appreciated business opportunity.

May 19 - Quartz

San Francisco Construction

Major Development Slows to a Snail's Pace in San Francisco

A bustling economy and a worsening housing crisis isn't enough to inspire a building boom in San Francisco—quite the opposite in fact.

May 19 - SocketSite

Traffic Safety

Scotland Could Take '20 Is Plenty' National

It looks very likely that Scotland will take unprecedented action—and global leadership—in the name of traffic safety.

May 19 - Price Tags

New York City Greenwich

Bill to Increase Multi-Family FAR Breaks Along Surprising Political Lines in New York

A state bill would allow for higher floor area ratio in New York City, designed to alleviate housing costs in the city, has gained most support from legislators representing areas outside the city.

May 19 - Crain's New York Business

Red Light Camera

Decades-Long Quest for Safer Streets Reaches an Important Milestone

Melissa Wandall has been fighting for safer conditions for Florida streets since the death of her husband Mark Wandall in 2003. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court of Florida upheld a traffic safety law passed in his name.

May 19 - Streetsblog

Delivery Trucks

Why UPS Vehicles Sport a Sleek New Look

35 sleek trucks smoothing their way around Europe with increased visibility to decrease dangers for pedestrians and reduce drag for energy efficiency.

May 18 - Quartz

No Pay Bus Day in Lafayette, Louisiana

Bus rides will be free to coincide with the city of Lafayette's Bike Safety Festival on June 2.

May 18 - KLFY

School bus with stop sign

Pennsylvania Bill Would Allow Automated Cameras to Catch Drivers Passing School Buses Illegally

The Pennsylvania Senate Transit Committee approved a bill to allow for photo enforcement to catch drivers making illegal passes that could endanger children in front of school buses.

May 18 - Trib Live

Port of Oakland

Federal Judge Strikes Down Oakland's Ban on Coal Exports

Shipping coal from Utah to export to Asia through a new cargo facility in Oakland, California took a significant step forward on May 15 with a strongly worded ruling condemning the adequacy of the city of Oakland's environmental analysis.

May 18 - KQED: California Report

Downtown Dallas

Dallas Considers a Major Revision to its Tree Ordinance

Neither environmentalists nor developers like the city’s current regulations around tree removal, but there is praise on both sides for the “smart and nimble” new version.

May 18 - D Magazine

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