The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Red bus parked at transit station in Denver, Colorado with CO state capitol dome in background.

Denver Transit Board Approves $1.2 Billion Budget

The 2025 budget for the Regional Transportation District is the largest in the agency’s 55-year history.

December 10 - The Denver Post

Public stairs in Los Angeles, California painted with rainbow and red hearts.

A Framework for Inclusive Tree Planting in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Urban Forest Equity Collective has developed an equity-centered tree-planting framework and toolkit to address historic underinvestment and mitigate extreme heat in vulnerable neighborhoods.

December 10 - UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation

Close-up of front corner of grey Rivian truck with charger plugged in.

Rivian Joins Movement Toward Universal EV Charging

As more automakers like Tesla, Ford, and Rivian make their charging infrastructure compatible, the shift could lead to the faster development of a nationwide EV charging network.

December 10 - Smart Cities Dive

Entrance to Port Authority Bus Terminal with glass doors and sign in midtown Manhattan, New York City.

NYC Secures Funding for Midtown Bus Terminal Replacement

The aging Manhattan transit terminal, the world’s busiest, will receive a $10 billion revamp and expansion.

December 10 - Bloomberg CityLab

Woman at desk with laptop and extra monitor with Zoom session open.

FEATURE

From 9-to-5 to Anytime: How Telecommuting Changes the Traffic Game

Not all cities have benefited equally from congestion relief brought on by shifting commuting patterns.

December 10 - Andreea Neculae


View from back of classroom of elementary school children at desks with raised hands engaged in class.

Why Some Affordable Housing Managers Are Running Education Programs

Many housing organizations are finding that educational programs are a logical — and valuable — addition to their offerings.

December 9 - Shelterforce Magazine

Anchorage Public Transportation

Anchorage Bus Depot to Reopen

After a four-year closure, a downtown Anchorage transit center will once again provide indoor waiting areas and services for bus travelers.

December 9 - Anchorage Daily News


College Students

BLOG POST

Applying to Graduate School in Planning: A Second Update

In 2008 and 2018, I wrote some much-read blogs about how to get into planning school. As deadlines near, I revisit that advice. I look first at the big picture of the case you need to make for the admissions committee and then the logistics.

December 9 - Ann Forsyth

Tall mature green trees lining a concrete walkway next to a street with multistory apartment buildings on other side and sun filtering through the leaves.

Mapping a Greener Future: Cal Poly Tackles Urban Canopy Challenges

Cal Poly, in partnership with Cal Fire, is leading the development of California’s new Strategic Plan for Urban Forestry, combining advanced data tools and interdisciplinary collaboration to expand tree canopy cover.

December 9 - Cal Poly News

Washington D.C. Protest

USDOT Releases Climate Strategies Playbook

The USDOT's new Climate Strategies that Work Playbook provides detailed information concerning benefits and implementation requirements for 27 transportation-related emission reduction strategies.

December 9 - Climate Strategies that Work Playbook

City park with paved walkway, green trees, and people sitting on lawn.

Global Report Shows Urban Forests Failing to Meet Vital Standards

The study reveals significant gaps in urban forestry, emphasizing the urgent need for reforms, innovative planting solutions, and expanded tree canopy to combat climate change and improve urban health.

December 9 - The Conversation

Busy subway station with people walking on platform and train stopped.

Freedom to Move: Investing in Transportation Choices for a Clean, Prosperous, and Just Future

This Union of Concerned Scientists study examines why and how to improve resource-efficient travel options to achieve diverse goals. It estimates that more efficient transport could save up to $201 billion in energy and $128 billion in health costs.

December 9 - Freedom to Move: Investing in Transportation Choices for a Clean, Prosperous, and Just Future

Aerial view of small town of Sparta, Wisconsin.

Opinion: Federal Government Must Continue Supporting Rural Housing Program

The incoming Congress will have a say in bolstering — or harming — the only federal housing program focused on affordable housing in rural areas.

December 8 - The Daily Yonder

Chicago sidewalk with brick homes in winter.

Chicago Budget Fails to Include Snow Plowing Program

Disability rights advocates say the “Plow the Sidewalks” program is a necessity for Chicagoans with limited mobility in winter months.

December 8 - Block Club Chicago

Close-up of yellow Pacers Bikeshare e-bike parked outdoors with blurred people in background.

Indy Bike Share Sees Sharp Growth Thanks to Free Pass Program

A new fleet of e-bikes and free access for Marion County residents are getting more people on bikes.

December 8 - Pacers Bikeshare

Large store in mall with yellow and black STORE CLOSING sign on front.

FEATURE

Shifts in Shopping: Transforming Malls Into Parks

Maybe zombie malls still have a second life — one with a little greenery.

December 8 - Ruscena Wiederholt

View of snowy buildings and mountains in background in Denver, Colorado.

Federal Resilience Program a Lifeline for Affordable Housing Providers

The little-known Green and Resilient Retrofit Program funds upgrades and repairs that improve efficiency and comfort in existing housing stock.

December 6 - Next City

Woman rides bike on paved walkway through plaza in Fort Worth, Texas.

Fort Worth To Relaunch Bike Share System in January

Trinity Metro shuttered its current system at the end of November and plans to relaunch with a mostly-electric system.

December 6 - KERA News

Blue Kansas City transit bus on Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri.

A Brief History of Kansas City’s Microtransit

The city’s costly experiment with on-demand transit is yielding to more strategic investment.

December 6 - Bloomberg CityLab

Aerial view of suburban neighborhood with large houses and green grass near Columbus, Ohio.

Central Ohio Leaders Form Regional Housing Partnership

A new coalition will seek to address growing housing needs and improve affordability by supporting new housing development across the region.

December 6 - Smart Cities Dive

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.