The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
A Three-Story House That Fits in a Parking Space
There's a design for a 400-square-foot house spread over three floors.
San Diego's Journey From First to Worst in Public Transit and What Could Turn it Around
For much of the 20th century, San Diego led the nation in public transit firsts. Unfortunately, the region has slipped to the bottom of national transit rankings. Planning activist Murtaza Baxamusa explains how it happened and the needed reform.
Increased Tolls for Bay Area Bridges Headed for a Vote
It is now up to the Bay Area's transportation planning agency to determine when to ask voters to hike tolls on seven Bay Area bridges, by how much, and whether to phase the increase. A bill to allow voters to fund Caltrain was also signed.
Is Population Growth Worth Fixating On?
While mayors of shrinking cities do all they can to buoy a discouraging metric, others ask whether population growth is all it's cracked up to be.
South L.A. Housing Project First to Use New 'Transit Oriented Community' Incentives
The city's new guidelines incentivize the development of affordable housing near transit.
Ross May Be Immune from the Amazon Effect
Ross Stores continues its expansion in the face of a much-foretold retail apocalypse. The shopping experience it provides may be one reason it can stand up to Amazon.
Study: Urban Renters Move Often, and Voluntarily
The usual narrative of gentrification and displacement often assumes a static population. According to this study, urban renters move around very frequently, and most (but not all) of their moves are voluntary.
Icelandic Town Hopes to Slow Traffic with 3-D Illusion
The small town of Isafjordur, Iceland is hoping an optical illusion painted onto a street will work to slow down drivers.
Under Construction: An Elevated Pedestrian Path on the Chicago River
The new 312 RiverRun will connect three parks on a two-mile elevated pedestrian path.
Governor's Veto Gives Locals Control Over 5G Infrastructure in California
A bill designed to streamline the implementation of 5G Internet infrastructure onto public poles and lights has been vetoed by California Governor Jerry Brown.
Power Shifts to Cities in San Diego County's Embattled Regional Planning Agency
Larger cities in California's second most populous county will be given more power thanks to a bill that reforms the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). One result may be that more public transit measures appear on the ballot.
New Commuter Train Comes Through for Fire-Ravaged Santa Rosa
Sonoma-Marin Rail Transit (SMART) has been operating almost continuously at full schedule, collecting no fares since the epic wildfires began in Sonoma County on Oct. 8. Two stations in the fire-zone are shut down due to lack of access.
Bikelash Reaches a Whole New Level
A Minneapolis bike lane protest sets a new bar for opposition to bike lanes—Godwin's law was definitely in play.
Where's the Concern About Spiking Traffic Fatalities?
Traffic fatalities are increasing faster than any time since the 1960s, but it's hard to notice much concern from the United States.
Rents Drop for the Second Consecutive Quarter in Washington, D.C.
A large amount of new rental units have come online in recent months in Washington, D.C., and the housing market has seen a surprising amount of upheaval as a result.
BLOG POST
The Problem With Externalities
By defining "externalities" as impacts of private conduct, economists and lawyers bias public discussion in favor of government regulation.
Are Massive Portfolios for Real Estate Investment Trusts Bad for Neighborhoods?
Nashville stakeholders are increasingly concerned by a post-Recession wave of real estate investment trusts buying up all the housing stock in neighborhoods gutted by the foreclosure crisis. The trend extends to other Sun Belt cities as well.
FEATURE
Autonomous Vehicles and Urban Contexts: It's Time to Engage All Stakeholders
At the 2017 Autonomous Vehicle Symposium, a group of experts were asked to predict the effects of autonomous vehicles in two case study communities, and to generate a list of proposed policy actions to prepare for a future of autonomous vehicles.
Obesity Tied to Suburban Life
London-based study ties obesity to sprawl and finds that suburbs have a bigger obesity problem than rural areas.
$1.7 Billion Project to Replace Critical Rail Crossing in New Jersey Underway
New Jersey's 107-year-old Portal Bridge has been a symbol of the region's crumbling rail infrastructure. A $1.7 billion project to replace the bridge, launched this week, is designed to improve the situation.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
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.
