The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Aerial view of downtown Jacksonville, Florida skyline with bridge in foregorund at dusk.

Jacksonville Takes Action on Vision Zero

The city is implementing its first-ever Vision Zero Action Plan in an effort to reduce pedestrian and cyclist deaths and serious injuries.

November 12 - First Coast News

Rendering of a combination of floodwalls and floodgates will integrate into the landscape at Stuyvesant Cove Park.

NYC Completes North Section of Coastal Resiliency Project

The city is raising shorelines and building protective gates to prevent future flooding and storm surges from impacting residents.

November 12 - CityLand

Subway train pulling into elevated outdoor platform in New York City with one passenger waiting.

BLOG POST

The News Is Not All Bad

President Trump's election might not be a disaster for local transit.

November 12 - Michael Lewyn

Close-up of vote-by-mail ballot with pen

BLOG POST

Planner’s Guide to 2024 State and Local Ballot Outcomes

Transit and environment came out on top on state and local ballots nationwide, while housing and marijuana initiatives proved less popular with voters.

November 11 - Mary Hammon

Downtown Denver as seen from behind Union Station roof sign.

Denver Voters Approve Downtown Revitalization Bonds

The city wants to bring new projects and residents to the downtown core, where 13 million feet of vacant office and retail space await new tenants.

November 11 - Smart Cities Dive


View of multistory buildings under construction in downtown Seattle, Washington with Space Needle and Mount Rainier in background.

Seattle Has No Plans to Ditch Parking Requirements

An update to the city’s comprehensive plan will reduce, but not fully eliminate, parking mandates for housing developments.

November 11 - The Urbanist

Bears Ears National Monument

Future of Public Lands Looks Litigious Under Trump

Experts say monuments and “unappropriated” federal lands will likely be the target for expanded drilling, mining, and other development under a new Trump administration.

November 11 - Bloomberg


Overhead view of white Waymo self-driving car in San Francisco, California with shared bikes and scooters visible on adjacent sidewalk.

Robotaxis Wreak Havoc on Urban Transit

In cities across the United States, robotaxis, championed by companies like Waymo and Cruise, are a marvel of modern technology and a flashpoint for debate over their place in urban transit.

November 11 - Cities of the Future

Large Airbnb billboard on neoclassical apartment building in Paris, France.

France Tightens Restrictions on Short-Term Rentals

The vacation rental market is shouldering part of the blame for rising housing costs, particularly in popular tourist destinations.

November 11 - Fortune

Pedestrianized public square surrounded by streets and tall buildings in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Pittsburgh Agencies Collaborate on Vision Zero Projects

The city reduced pedestrian deaths to seven in 2023.

November 11 - Pittsburgh CityPaper

Playground in courtyard of apartment building.

How Courtyard Apartments Make Cities More Family-Friendly

Apartment buildings with interior courtyards can offer safe, affordable, and functional spaces for urban households with children.

November 10 - Bloomberg CityLab

Planetizen Top Headlines This Week: 2024 Election

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Planetizen’s Most Popular Stories This Week

In urban planning news this week were headlines on where 2024 presidential candidates stand on 12 issues most important to urban planners, housing, Amtrak’s service expansion in California, and more.

November 10 - Mary Hammon

Two rusty, abandoned oil pumps in rural Texas.

Addressing Orphan Wells for Environmental Justice

Remediating and repurposing some orphan oil and gas wells into parks can turn environmental hazards into community assets, promoting health, environmental justice, and accessible green space for underserved areas.

November 10 - Progressive City

Herd of Caribou in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska with snowy mountains in background.

Biden Administration Moves to Protect Alaskan Refuge From Drilling

The administration is taking quick action to cement some of Biden’s key environmental accomplishments before the new Trump administration takes the reins.

November 10 - CNN

Panoramic view of downtown Denver, Colorado.

Denver Slaughterhouse Measure Reveals Impacts of Meat Industry

Voters did not approve a measure that would have closed a slaughterhouse that is key to the nation’s lamb production.

November 8 - The Conversation

Chicago Transit

Chicago Transit Increasing Rail Service to Pre-Pandemic Levels

The Chicago Transit Authority is close to returning both rail and bus service to pre-pandemic schedules, with some adjustments for new travel demand.

November 8 - Mass Transit

Bridge with container ship crashed into it in Baltimore, Maryland.

Baltimore Traffic Suffering From Absence of Key Bridge

The loss of a key route to the Port of Baltimore is causing major delays and long detours on alternate routes.

November 8 - The Baltimore Banner

Traffic congestion on New York City street.

Trump’s Election Lends NYC Congestion Pricing Program New Urgency

New York Gov. Hochul has 75 days to reinstate the stalled program or risk losing billions in funding for the city’s aging transportation infrastructure and transit system.

November 8 - StreetsBlog NYC

Group of children with backpacks and bike helmets going to school.

How Seattle Achieved Safe Routes to School Goal

SDOT has installed safety improvements at more than 260 public schools since 2015.

November 7 - Office of Mayor Bruce Harrell

Parked cars in floodwater with two-story apartments or homes in background in Florida after hurricane.

Auto Insurance Rates Spike Due to Extreme Weather

Car insurance costs around the country are going up as insurers receive more claims from areas struck by storms and other climate disasters.

November 7 - Grist

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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.