The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Zoned Out: Seattle Prioritizes Single-Family Residential
In Seattle, most (88 percent) of the city's new housing is being developed in a few small, already dense areas around the city. Most of the city is reserved for single-family housing.
California as a Model for Housing Legislation
The Golden State may have the nation's most severe housing crisis, but there is one area of state housing policy where it shines, becoming a model for other states that want to advance accessory dwelling units, also called granny or in-law units.
How the Lights in Our Cities Became Too Bright
“Why are lighting designers and experts nearly unified in their belief that outdoor lighting in past years has been excessive?”
Can Density Prevent Diabetes?
In Australia, a new study will determine the best ways to make high-density developments healthy places to live.
Japanese Bus Drivers Strike by Not Accepting Fares
Bus drivers in Japan put blankets over fare boxes and continue to drive their routes, in order to serve their passengers while on strike.
FEATURE
Two Popular Business Books for Planners
Mining the business world for lessons about the planning profession.
California to Require Solar on New Residential Buildings
The California Energy Commission will decide on new energy standards for residential construction this week.
Clearview Is Back as the Font of Choice for Highway Signs
An overlooked feature of the federal omnibus bill approved earlier this year: a return to the Clearview font for highway traffic signs.
Express Lanes Toll Revenue Benefits Bus Riders, Carpoolers, and Bike Riders
The new 66 Express Lanes Inside the Beltway made headlines when one-way tolls topped $40. Max Smith of WTOP News reports how revenues are used in Northern Virginia. Bus transit and shuttles to park-and-ride lots are two of the biggest beneficiaries.
High-Speed Rail to Partner with Amtrak in Texas
The Texas Central high-speed rail line between Houston and Dallas is planning to offer smooth connections with Amtrak lines at either end of its 240-mile route.
Weekend Watch: Video Makes the Case for Light Rail Over Bus Rapid Transit
Here's another entry in the ongoing debate over which public transit mode reigns supreme.
Amazon, Seattle Go to War Over Proposed Tax
Amazon, a company with cities throwing money at its feet all over the country, has decided to halt construction on an expansion in its hometown over a proposed "head tax."
Marijuana Tasting Rooms Would Be Legalized by Colorado Legislation
Colorado is taking 'baby steps' toward a thoroughly regulated regime of social marijuana use.
Another EPA Rollback, Tailor-Made for Gov. Walker and Southeast Wisconsin
Politics and economics win over public health in Racine County as the EPA exempted the area around the Foxconn's massive facility from meeting stricter ozone pollution standards, saving the company from investing in smog-reducing equipment.
As Drought Returns to Texas, Report Recommends Stricter Rules on Outdoor Water Use
A report from a coalition of nonprofits recommends, among other restrictions, allowing outdoor watering only twice per week.
Op-Ed: 'Public Mood' Has Turned Against Cars in Cities
A survey of recent planning decisions demonstrates that cities are no longer necessarily looking to more and bigger highways to solve their traffic problems.
New Transit Tech Aimed at Blind Bus Riders
Connecthings, a transit app for the blind, is undergoing a trial that will connect its information to the popular wayfinding App BlindSquare in an Austin trial.
Sacramento Debuts On-Demand Transit Service
Sacramento Regional Transit's SmaRT Ride service is an on-demand public option to compete with Uber and Lyft.
Cities Need Labor So Badly They'll Pay You to Move There
Some cities are employing a "modern-day Homestead Act" to attract new residents.
Op-Ed: It's Time for a Weakened Mortgage Interest Deduction To Go
Last year's tax reform bill seriously curtailed the mortgage interest deduction, despite its reputation for untouchability. Perhaps lawmakers should get rid of it entirely.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
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.
