The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Lower Manhattan

World Trade Center Rebuild Almost Complete With Approval of 900-Foot Mixed-Use Tower

Plans have been approved for the development of 5 World Trade Center, in place of a building damaged on September 11 and eventually torn down.

February 15 - The Architect's Newspaper

Ocean Grove Sidewalk

Defining the Buzzword: What's a 15-Minute City?

What does it mean to be a 15-minute city?

February 14 - CNU Public Square

Aerial of Wallingford, Seattle circa 1969

Historic Preservation as a Tool of Exclusion

The push for historic preservation districts often amounts to exclusionary zoning that exacerbates the housing affordability crisis.

February 14 - The Urbanist

Shepherd Drive & South Shepherd Drive Bridges over Buffalo Bayou, Houston, Texas

High Hopes for the Future of Biking in Houston

Despite Houston's reputation for sprawl, the city has made impressive efforts to build out its bike infrastructure.

February 14 - Rice Kinder Institute for Urban Research

COVID-19 Pandemic

Will Israel Show Us the Way Out of the Pandemic?

If vaccinations are key to ending the pandemic, Israel may get there first as it has the highest rate by far of any nation. Paradoxically, it also has the world's second-highest rate of daily new COVID-19 cases.

February 14 - The New York Times


High-Speed Rail

California High-Speed Rail Project Seeking Change in Funding Plan

State lawmakers will have to approve a change in plans for how the California High-Speed Rail project will fund the ongoing work in the Central Valley.

February 12 - The Mercury News

City Bird

For the Birds: Why Designing for Birds is Good for Everyone

A new book spotlights how bird-friendly design makes for healthier and more pleasant cities for all species.

February 12 - Fast Company


Pedestrians

Opinion: To Reduce Emissions, Listen to Those Who Don't Drive

An initiative to promote pedestrian-oriented infrastructure investments in Washington state highlights the lessons that policymakers can learn from people who rely on walking and public transit.

February 12 - The Seattle Times

Arlington Cemetery Station

D.C. Metro Blue Line to Close for 3+ Plus Months, Starting Saturday

Platform improvements will close down another rail transit route in the D.C. region for three whole months.

February 12 - Arl Now

Denver Regional Transit

Political Pressure Reinvigorates B Line Extension Plans in Colorado

The CEO of the Regional Transportation District speculated recently about whether a planned extension of the B Line to Boulder was necessary or desirable. The governor doesn't think the speculation was necessary or desirable.

February 11 - CPR News

Moving

Expect a Big Year for Moving Companies, Survey Says

A recent City Monitor survey says the pandemic is inspiring a growing number of people to consider new locations for living and working.

February 11 - City Monitor

Coal-Fired Power Plant

Cities' Self-Reported Emissions Numbers are Way Off, Study Finds

New research shows that the voluntary emissions measurements conducted by many cities vastly undercount their greenhouse gas production.

February 11 - The New York Times

Seattle Construction

Seattle Limits Natural Gas in New Construction

More cities are banning the use of natural gas in new buildings. Seattle is the latest example.

February 11 - The Seattle Times

Joseph Leopold Eichler

Context for Sacramento's Decision to End Single-Family Zoning

In January, the Sacramento City Council took first steps toward ending single-family zoning citywide. The decision has provoked controversy that is influencing the next steps in the process.

February 11 - Los Angeles Times

Dallas Freeway Removal

Reimagining the Urban Freeway

With the new administration placing racial justice and equity at the forefront of transportation policy, will America finally reckon with the legacy of its freeways?

February 11 - Common Edge

Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh Revitalization Plans Stuck on Blight

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently published an investigation of the city's efforts to buy and rehabilitate vacant properties in the troubled neighborhood of Homewood.

February 11 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Amtrak 2035

Amtrak's Proposed 'Corridor' Expansion, Explained

Even while dealing with the economic fallout of the pandemic, Amtrak is forging forward with plans to expand intercity rail passenger service around the country.

February 11 - Albany Times Union

Government Center Station Miami

How $30 Billion in Stimulus Funding Would Change the Equation for Transit Agencies

The funding in the draft stimulus funding package making its way through Congress falls short of the total requested by the American Public Transportation Association, but would go a long way to helping transit agencies weather the pandemic.

February 10 - TransitCenter

HUD

HUD Won't Help With Back Rent Until Eviction Moratoriums Are Gone

Eviction prevention was an eligible use for CARES Act money...until HUD decided that it's not worth preventing evictions until they are under 14 days away.

February 10 - Shelterforce Magazine

Americans With Disabilities Act

New Orleans Facing ADA Lawsuit for State of Sidewalks and Lack of Curb Cuts

The city of New Orleans' compliance with Americans With Disabilities Act compliance is too little, too late, according to the plaintiffs in a new lawsuit.

February 10 - NOLA.com

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