The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Aerial view of New Jersey and New York City.

BLOG POST

Is Crime More Concentrated in Spread-out Cities?

Our nation's most transit-friendly cities have lower crime rates than many sprawling cities- yet some people seem to feel safer in sprawling cities because they believe that in sprawl, crime is concentrated in just a few neighborhoods. Is this correct?

December 26 - Michael Lewyn

Aerial view of downtown Rochester, New York with river and bridge in foreground.

Rochester Approves Tenant Protections

The city adopted the strictest possible version of New York state’s ‘Good Cause’ eviction protections, which cap rent increases at 10 percent.

December 26 - WXXI News

Street Traffic in Manhattan

NYC Congestion Pricing Plan Threatened by Legal Challenges

The plan to charge motorists driving into parts of Manhattan is being challenged in multiple courts.

December 26 - Bloomberg CityLab

Worker in white hard hat and yellow safety jacket holds tablet in front of large electrical utility installation.

BLOG POST

Smart Cities and Utilities: Enhancing Energy Efficiency Through IoT Integration

Learn how IoT integration in utilities is boosting energy efficiency in smart cities, aiding urban planners in sustainable development.

December 25 - Devin Partida

Street scene in Portland, Oregon

Portland Traffic Deaths Surpass 2022 Number

This year, 69 people have died in traffic crashes in Portland, Oregon, nearly twice as many as in 2018, when the city began its Vision Zero program.

December 25 - KATU.com


TEXRail train at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport station.

North Texas Transportation Council Advocates for Road Safety, Rail Projects

The North Texas Regional Transportation Council issued a series of recommendations for state legislators that include more support for road safety projects and high-speed rail.

December 25 - Fort Worth Report

Bike path, part of Grand Rounds Scenic Byway in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

How to Make Greenways Better

Adding amenities such as public restrooms and shade trees can make greenways like Detroit’s Joe Louis Greenway more inviting and comfortable for their users.

December 25 - Time Magazine


Aerial view of Manhattan Beach pier.

Los Angeles County Secures Funding for Beach Protection

L.A. County is getting a $1 million grant from the California Ocean Protection Council to develop a Regional Coastal Strategic Adaptation Plan to protect its beaches from climate change impacts while prioritizing equitable access and sustainability.

December 24 - Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors

Grocery store produce section.

Food Insecurity in LA County Remains Alarmingly High Despite Some Improvement

Food insecurity in Los Angeles County remains above the national average, disproportionately affecting low-income and minority households, with researchers calling for expanded assistance and systemic solutions to address ongoing disparities.

December 24 - USC Dornsife

Houses on Lake Michigan shore with yellow "Keep Off Rocks" sign.

How US Cities Can Prepare for Climate Disasters

Resilience, encompassing infrastructure, governance, economic strength, and social cohesion, is critical for cities to mitigate rising climate risks like flooding, wildfires, and heat, ensuring long-term recovery and adaptability.

December 24 - The Washington Post

Scenic seasonal landscape from above aerial view of a small town in countryside Cleveland, Ohio.

FEATURE

Planetizen’s Top Posts of 2024

The most-read articles on Planetizen in 2024.

December 24 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of manufactured housing mobile home park in rural area.

Rural Renters at Increased Risk of Eviction

Rural residents often have a harder time accessing legal assistance and eviction prevention resources.

December 23 - The Daily Yonder

Man riding e-bike pulling trailer with small dog in it on paved path.

California E-Bike Rebate Demand Far Exceeds Supply

The queue to apply for California’s new e-bike incentive program, which only offered 1,500 vouchers, reached 100,000 people.

December 23 - Streetsblog California

View of San Francisco Bay on sunny day from residential area of Oakland, California.

Oakland Adopts Urban Forest Plan to Foster Equity and Environmental Justice

The Oakland City Council has adopted its first Urban Forest Plan, a 50-year roadmap focused on equitable tree care, canopy preservation, and environmental justice to benefit underserved communities.

December 23 - City of Oakland

Man in wheelchair in designated area on public bus.

USDOT Issues Accessibility Guidelines for Transit Stations

A new rule aims to clarify accessibility requirements to help state and local DOTs upgrade their facilities more quickly to meet ADA standards.

December 23 - Smart Cities Dive

Two oil drilling derricks in vast field in West Texas.

Silent Threat: America’s Abandoned Oil Wells and the Danger Beneath

Abandoned oil and gas wells across the U.S. pose significant environmental, health, and safety risks, with many leaking hazardous gases and chemicals, highlighting regulatory failures and the immense financial burden of remediation.

December 23 - ABC News

Blurred train in motion passing through underground station in Washington, D.C.

DC Suburban Light Rail Expansion Prompts Mixed-Use Development

The Purple Line’s expansion into Maryland suburbs in 2027 has spurred TOD along the line.

December 23 - Public Square

Close-up of yellow "Warning Biohazard" sign with people in hazmat suits cleaning up in background.

Students Drive Solutions for Environmental Justice Through Video Challenge

The Environmental Justice Video Challenge empowers students and communities to collaboratively address environmental inequities through innovative data-driven strategies, resulting in impactful projects and fostering local leadership.

December 23 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Old oil well with red brick building in the background.

AI Uncovers Forgotten Oil Wells: A High-Tech Solution to Environmental Hazards

Researchers are using artificial intelligence, drones, and sensors to locate and assess undocumented orphaned oil and gas wells, addressing their environmental and climate risks by identifying high-priority sites for plugging and methane mitigation.

December 22 - Berkeley Lab

Woman wearing beanie leaning down over grass covered with fall leaves using tablet to identify plants.

Detecting Invasive Species Early Through Citizen Science

Community science platforms like eBird and iNaturalist enhance early detection of invasive species, complementing professional surveillance and highlighting the need for stronger collaboration between the public and official authorities.

December 22 - Relational Thinking

Post News

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.

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.