The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

New California Law Protects Commercial Tenants
The law, modeled on residential tenants’ rights, acknowledges the uneven power dynamics between many small business owners and their commercial landlords.

Zoning for Good
A new book highlights the power of zoning to change communities for the better.

Dallas, Suburbs Clash Over DART Funding
The city voted to ‘fully fund’ its rapid transit system, but northern suburbs are moving to reduce funding.

Study: Chicago Speed Cameras More Equitable Than Police
The city’s automated traffic enforcement cameras are issuing tickets at rates more aligned with the community’s racial makeup — unlike human police officers, according to a new analysis.

BLOG POST
YIMBY Right And Left: A Review of Two Books
A review of two books about the American housing crisis — one tailored to liberal readers, another tailored to conservative readers.

Insights and Innovations from the California Land Recycling Conference
The 2024 CLRC showcased innovative strategies for transforming brownfields into sustainable, equitable community assets, emphasizing environmental, social, and economic empowerment through land reuse.

Exploring Ocean Iron Fertilization: A Potential Climate Solution
Researchers are exploring ocean iron fertilization as a potential method for removing atmospheric carbon dioxide, emphasizing the need for controlled trials to determine its effectiveness and ecological impact in combating climate change.

Singapore: A Model for Longevity and Quality of Life
Singapore's remarkable rise in life expectancy, driven by government policies on health, green spaces, and social cohesion, has earned it the distinction of being named the world's sixth “Blue Zone.”

Urban Farming Addressing Hunger (and More) in Pittsburgh
Urban farming provides opportunities to increase food security in addition to other benefits.

Migration to Disaster-Prone Areas Persists
Regions at high risk for flooding, wildfires, and other climate-fueled disasters continue to see rapid population growth.

Mexico City Aerial ‘Cablebus’ Provides Key Connection to Peripheral Neighborhoods
Unlike many aerial gondolas, Mexico City’s Cablebus is largely used by commuters and residents from communities farther from the city center.

FEATURE
LGBTQ+ Elders Face Compounded Challenges in Accessing Fair and Equitable Housing
Lessons for building affirming, inclusive, and trauma-informed housing developments for older LGBTQ+ adults.

Sonoma County Bans Evictions During Disaster Recovery
Low-income renters face an increased risk of eviction after a natural disaster. Most cities and states don’t offer any protection.

How Much Does the President Influence Transportation Funding?
Whether it’s a preference for highway expansion, passenger rail, or bike infrastructure, different administrations can shift grantmaking priorities at the federal level.

Baltimore Program Could Repurpose Thousands of Vacant Housing Units
The city and state are investing $3 billion in rescuing vacant residential properties to promote homeownership and reduce blight.

BLOG POST
California’s New Housing Laws: What You Need to Know
The state legislature passed dozens of new laws aimed at improving housing affordability and streamlining the development process to meet rising demand.

States Look to Eliminate Happy Hour Bans to Lure People Downtown
More than 20 states have laws banning or limiting happy hours at bars and restaurants. Now, some are revisiting these regulations in an effort to boost commerce in struggling downtown districts.

Feds Open $1B Grant Round for Intercity Rail
The Federal Railroad Administration will award funding to projects aimed at improving and building new intercity rail connections.

Hikers Take Solace: The Appalachian Trail Will Survive Hurricane Helene
Despite concerns and closures in the wake of Hurricane Helene, most of the trail appears to have suffered minor damage.

FEATURE
Urban Planning Creators You Should Know in 2024
Whether you’re a TikTok enthusiast or a Substack reader, you can find plenty of valuable and engaging urban planning content in the new media landscape.
Pagination
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
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.