The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

A Suburban Retrofit Rides the Bike Trails
Communities around Northwest Arkansas have placed bike infrastructure at the center of a plan to retrofit suburban communities.

Research Connects School Choice to Gentrification
One unintended consequence of No Child Left Behind: increased gentrification.

Friday Fun: 'World's Greatest Indoor Miniature Village' for Sale
It's a big little deal. Or is it a little big deal?

When Coastal States Kill Building Codes, FEMA Pays
Despite the increasing number and intensity of natural disasters, some vulnerable states are relaxing building regulations and leaving the federal government to pick up the tab when tragedy strikes again.
Construction of I–66 Toll Lanes Outside the Capital Beltway Begins this Weekend
Widening of Interstate 66 for 22.5 miles in Northern Virginia will accommodate two toll lanes in each direction, accessible to trucks. The $3.7 billion project, to be built by public-private partnership at no cost to the state, will open in 2022.
Off the Beaten Path
Designing comfort stations to accommodate more than 60 million annual New York State Parks visitors — representing many different genders, backgrounds, and accessibility needs — is no simple task.

Makeover Revealed for Galveston's Popular Stewart Beach
The Galveston Park Board of Trustees is looking to add some bells and whistles to an already popular destination.

Massachusetts Considering a Hotel Tax on Short-Term Rentals
Legislation moving through the Massachusetts Legislature would implement the same tax on short-term rentals that already applies to hotels. Local jurisdictions would also be free to implement their own taxes on short-term rentals under the law.

San Francisco to Grant Low-Cost Housing Preference to Artists
A new program underway at the San Francisco Arts Commission would make it easier for artists to gain access to the city's stock of affordable rental and ownership opportunities.

Ohio Announces 320 'Opportunity Zones'
The new Opportunity Zones program is one to watch as states around the country throw their hats in the ring.

ACLU Report Recommends Municipal Broadband
Faced with the potential consequences of the federal Communications Commission's recent repeal of net neutrality, a report by the American Civil Liberties Union suggests that municipal internet as an antidote.

The Planned Community of the Future Is Also a 'Smart City'
Planned community developer LStar Ventures is building a smart city experiment near Boston.

Mayor de Blasio Wants a Vacancy Tax to Combat Empty Storefronts
The hottest trend in commercial real estate, letting storefronts in Manhattan sit empty while waiting for top dollar, is robbing the city's streets of the benefits of a bustling economy.
Jersey City Demolition Ban Is All About the 'Bayonne Box'
An inexpensive architectural style is deemed unfit for a town looking to preserve its history—and become a more sophisticated city.

More Bad News for Tesla—This Time From the EPA
A rollback of fuel economy standards carries huge financial consequences for the all-electric vehicle manufacturer that makes over $300 million annually by selling credits to auto manufacturers unable to achieve current fuel economy standards.

The Cities that Most Resemble Each Other
A fun activity in city comparison.

Master Plan Aims to Reduce Car Trips in Portland's Washington Park
Washington Park is described as the jewel in the crown of Portland's park system. The city recently updated its master plan for the first time since 1981.

Decision Deadline Coming Fast for San Jose BART Extension
BART and VTA officials must come to an agreement about whether to use a single- or double-bore tunnel for transit extension in San Jose, and time is running out.

Exurbs Growing Fast
American exurbs growing again, after brief period of urbanization.

BART Has Had Enough of Dockless Bikes
With piles of them strewn around stations, the transit agency is "cracking down" on bikeshare companies.
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