The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Close-up of green permeable street with concrete lattice over soil and grass.

How Cities Are Adopting Green Solutions to Combat Flooding

Cities are increasingly adopting nature-based solutions like floodable parks and green roofs to combat flooding, offering cost-effective, multifunctional benefits while requiring careful planning and integration with traditional infrastructure.

December 22 - Time Magazine

View of pavilion rooftop on Toledo riverfront.

FEATURE

The Glass City’s Riverfront Sparkles with Promise

How Toledo is transforming its waterfront into a beloved community space.

December 22 - Scott Carpenter

Small trees on city sidewlak with glass buildings in background.

Cities Prioritize Urban Reforestation to Combat Heat and Revitalize Communities

Cities like Phoenix, Chicago, and Boise are prioritizing urban reforestation as critical green infrastructure to combat extreme heat, address environmental inequities, and foster community revitalization.

December 20 - USGBC

Snowy street scene with old residential buildings in Boston, Massachusetts.

Boston Launches New Affordable Housing Preservation Fund

The Boston Acquisition Fund will offer low-interest loans to developers who pledge to keep multifamily housing affordable.

December 20 - Smart Cities Dive

Blue "Welcome to Delaware" roadside sign.

Delaware’s Hope Center Tackles Homelessness With a ‘Humane, Dignified’ Approach

An emergency shelter has become a hub for social services and support for hundreds of unhoused residents.

December 20 - Next City


Aerial view of downtown Baltimore, Maryland with prominent statue in foreground at dusk.

Rebuilding Together: How One Baltimore Program Advanced Education and Community Development

When Baltimore got funding for a round of school renovations, the state directed it to design schools that would also advance neighborhood revitalization — and it learned some lessons about why that's not always so simple.

December 20 - Shelterforce Magazine

Muni bus on red painted bus-only lane in downtown San Francisco, California.

Opinion: San Francisco Needs a Well-Funded Transit System

Muni ridership is above pre-pandemic levels on some lines. Why is the agency still considering service cuts?

December 19 - Mission Local


Electric Cars

Federal Government May Make About-Face on EV Purchases

The incoming administration appears poised to slash funding for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.

December 19 - Wired

Close-up of person standing and holding book on train platform.

FEATURE

Planetizen’s Top Urban Planning Books of 2024

Top of mind in 2024 were the far-reaching impacts of climate displacement, zoning as a solution to the housing crisis, and the potential for safer roads and better public transit in American cities.

December 19 - Planetizen Team

Red and white Barcelona Metro train passing through station.

Barcelona Metro Uses Regenerative Braking to Power Stations, Charge EVs

Energy created when trains brake is harnessed to power the trains themselves, station infrastructure, and street-level electric car chargers.

December 19 - Associated Press

Railroad crossing sign next to tracks along rocky coast in Oregon.

Cascadia HSR Awarded Planning Grant

The $49.7 million federal grant will allow WSDOT to move forward with public outreach and planning work.

December 19 - Big Country News

Denver, Colorado skyline with green lawn in the foreground.

Denver Plans to Update Landscaping Regulations

The city will change its landscaping rules to prohibit “non-functional turf” and encourage native and climate-resilient vegetation.

December 19 - Smart Cities Dive

Interior of autonomous car with large map screen on road.

Trump Transition Team Recommends Nixing Car Crash Reporting Rule

A rule requiring reporting of crashes involving driver assistance technology has faced strong opposition from Tesla and other automakers.

December 19 - Reuters

Children boarding yellow school bus.

Parents Turn to Ride-Hailing as Schools Pull Bus Transportation

Some districts are cutting back on school buses, leaving some children without reliable transportation to and from school.

December 18 - Associated Press

White Sound Transit Link light rail train at station in Bellevue, Washington.

Seattle-Area Light Rail Breaks Ridership Record, Again

Thanks to a new extension and reorganized connecting bus lines, the Link light rail system topped 3 million rides in October.

December 18 - The Urbanist

Row of USPS trucks parked in outdoor parking lot.

USPS Electrification Project Far Behind Schedule

The manufacturer of the electric mail trucks ordered by the Postal Service is plagued by problems that are slowing production to around one truck per day.

December 18 - The Washington Post

View of top of high-rise apartment building under construction with red and white cranes

Fannie Mae Economists Predict Slow Housing Market in 2025

A December report forecasts a continued “lock-in effect” due to high mortgage rates and a low production of multifamily housing.

December 18 - Fannie Mae Foundation

Snowy walkway in Chicago in winter flanked by medium-sized trees.

Chicago Allocates $500K to Sidewalk Clearing Pilot

Advocates of the Plow the Sidewalks program were asking for $1 million to start a pilot program in four areas of the city.

December 18 - Block Club Chicago

Aerial view of Bayway refinery in Elizabeth City, New Jersey.

New Jersey to Consider Charging Fossil Fuel Companies for Pollution

A proposed law would make companies liable for damages caused by burning fossil fuels.

December 18 - Fast Company

Person sleeping in car at night.

‘Safe Parking’ Programs Offer Small Comforts to Unhoused People

People living in cars are often at the mercy of parking regulations, forced to relocate frequently and left without access to resources like restrooms. Safe Parking programs aim to change that.

December 18 - Smart Cities Dive

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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.