The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Coronavirus and Lime

This Is Your Brain on E-Scooters

A survey from scooter operator Spin indicates that e-scooter users experience a boost in relaxation and positive feelings after a ride.

December 22 - Streetsblog USA

Larimer Square

Colorado To Prioritize Climate Impacts in Transportation Projects

Under new state regulations, Colorado transportation projects will be required to reduce GHG emissions and promote more sustainable transportation modes.

December 22 - Denver Post

Tesla

Editorial Calls for Tesla to Follow Same 'Self-Driving' Testing Rules as Everyone Else

While dozens of companies are following state-mandated regulations for autonomous vehicle testing, Tesla has managed to avoid the same rules. It's time for regulators to step in, according to the Los Angeles Times Editorial Board.

December 22 - Los Angeles Times

Atlanta streetcar

Expansion Planned for Atlanta Streetcar

A proposed expansion of Atlanta's beleaguered downtown streetcar could turn the 'novelty' line into a truly useful transportation option in the car-centric city.

December 22 - Urbanize Atlanta

Crowd

Census: U.S. Population Growing Slower Than Any Point Since the Nation's Founding

The pandemic has added increased mortality to decreasing birth rates and decreasing international immigration.

December 22 - U.S. Census Bureau


Freeway Interchange Construction

BLOG POST

Good Planners: Bad Outcomes. How Structural Biases Can Lead to Unfair and Inefficient Results

Some planning practices are structurally inequitable. They can result in unfair and wasteful outcomes, such as destruction of vibrant, accessible, minority urban communities for the benefit of more affluent suburban motorists. We can do better!

December 21 - Todd Litman

Alexander Garvin, Famed Planner, Author, and Teacher, Dies at 80

Alexander Garvin passed away in New York on December 17, 2021.

December 21 - The New York Times


A person experiencing homelessness sleeps on the sidewalk, atop the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Reimagining Homelessness and Mental Health: 'Radical Hospitality' in Trieste, Italy

Kerry Morrison, founder of Heart Forward LA, shares her journey researching the “failures” of the U.S. mental health system, and what L.A. could learn about radical hospitality from a city with a robust community-based approach—Trieste, Italy.

December 21 - The Planning Report

Los Angeles Protected Bike Lane

Opinion: Los Angeles Must Prioritize Bikes and Buses

L.A. has a plan for improving mobility. Why are city leaders ignoring it?

December 21 - Los Angeles Times

Highway Construction

Federal Memo 'Gently' Discourages Highway Construction

The Federal Highway Administration is urging states to prioritize climate-friendly projects and put federal funds toward repairs and active transportation infrastructure.

December 21 - Wired

Protesters at the Hart Senate Office Building carry signs calling for Sen. Manchin to support the full Build Back Better Bill.

BLOG POST

Build Back Almost: Historic Legislation Falls One Vote Short

A roundup of news on the planning-related consequences of the reported demise of the Build Back Better Act—a $2 trillion social spending bill intended to accompany the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act approved earlier this year.

December 21 - James Brasuell

D.C. Metro

Study: D.C. Region Must Take Aggressive Steps To Reach Climate Goal

To achieve its stated emissions reduction goal, the Greater Washington area must sharply reduce driving and speed up the adoption of electric vehicles.

December 21 - Greater Greater Washington

Joe Biden exits a limousine, surrounded by security and staffers, on the way to the Marine One helicopter on a pad near the water in New York City.

Biden's New Tailpipe Emissions Rule Resets to Obama Administration Standards

The Biden administration finalized greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks that almost fully erased changes by the Trump administration that, in turn, erased a rule finalized by the Obama administration.

December 21 - The Washington Post

Trump supporting insurrectionists scale the walls of the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021.

FEATURE

Year in Review: Urban Planning in 2021

Part one of two of Planetizen's review of 2021—re-assessing failed predictions and daylighting the biggest planning stories of the year.

December 20 - James Brasuell

Downeaster train in Maine

What States Can Learn From the Success of Maine's Downeaster Train

As Amtrak gears up to plan expansion projects supported by new federal funding, states can take some advocacy lessons from Maine's popular Downeaster train.

December 20 - Governing

Supreme Court Statue

U.S. Supreme Court Upholds New York State Vaccine Mandate

Health care workers in New York will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 after the Supreme Court voted 6-3 to reject hearing an appeal brought by workers who had sought a religious exemption. Also, an update on the federal vaccine mandate.

December 20 - The New York Times

 Interstate 710 in East Los Angeles, California.

California Bill Could Ban Freeway Expansions in Underserved Neighborhoods

A proposed bill in the California State Legislature would bar the state from funding road construction in communities at risk for displacement and health impacts.

December 20 - Los Angeles Times

New York City Subway

How Rail Transit Ridership Changed During the Pandemic

Almost all heavy rail transit stations lost riders in 2020, but some stations lost far fewer riders than others. The data reveals lessons for transit planning beyond the end of the pandemic (whenever that happens).

December 20 - Urban Institute

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Riverfront Development Could Include a Massive Ferris Wheel

A proposed mixed-use development on the Ohio River would enhance connections to the river and feature a Ferris wheel in tribute to the ride's inventor.

December 20 - CBS 2 Pittsburgh

William Penn

'Demodelphia' Hiring More Preservationists

To protect more historic properties from rampant demolition, Philadelphia is staffing up its historic preservation department.

December 20 - WHYY

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.