The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Outdoor Dining

The Metrics of Outdoor Dining

Outdoor dining programs are proving popular in cities all over the United States, as a lifeline for both restaurants and residents seeking some social normalcy. Data from San Francisco reveal the numbers behind the phenomenon.

October 20 - Eater San Francisco

Coronavirus and Transportation

D.C. Metro Seeks Public Input on Proposed Service Cuts

D.C. Metro Seeks Public Input on Proposed Service Cuts

October 20 - Greater Greater Washington

Detroit Vacant

Detroit Continues Demolition Program After Lead Risks Revealed

The city of Detroit said it would halt a demolition program after a report revealed the amount of lead released by demolitions into the environment, risking the health of children and other local residents.

October 20 - Detroit Free Press

Trump and Biden Ballot

Potential Presidential Election Outcomes for U.S. Transportation Policy

Experts opine on the consequences of the presidential election for U.S. transportation policy.

October 20 - CNN

Downtown Los Angeles

Op-Ed: It’s Long Past Time for Planning Reform in L.A.

Another corruption scandal involving a Los Angeles city councilmember highlights the urgent need for major planning changes in the city.

October 19 - Los Angeles Times


Las Vegas Golf

Las Vegas Golf Course With a History of Development Controversy Cleared for Houses

A golf course formerly owned by "legendary sports bettor-turned-convicted insider trader" Billy Walters finally has the residential zoning that created so much controversy in the past.

October 19 - Las Vegas Review-Journal

Vancouver, British Columbia

A New App Helps Identify 15-Minute City

The new 15-Minute City App generates maps which show the number of services and activities within a 15 minute walk, and and therefore whether an area can be considered a 15-minute neighborhood.

October 19 - 15-minute City Map


The Boring Company

The Boring Company Coming Up Short of Expectations in Las Vegas

It seems like the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor’s Authority expected trouble with The Boring Company, and built a contract that will impact Elon Musk's bottom line for falling short of agreed system capacity and construction timelines.

October 19 - TechCrunch

Construction Industry

BLOG POST

A Bipartisan Case for Mass Timber—Combating Wildfires and Developing Local Economies

What’s good for our forests and planet can also be good for our jobs, communities, and the economy. That’s why we’re writing this together—an ex-Democratic political operative and an ex-Republican staff member who want to see mass timber flourish.

October 19 - ConorBronsdon

Ohio River

Form-Based Codes Explained as Covington's Neighborhood Development Code Takes Effect

The new form-based code for the Kentucky city of Covington went into effect on October 15. Officials are promoting the simplicity of the new code to the public.

October 19 - WCPO

Main Street

A Short-Term Approach to Climate Change Planning

The climate change discussion is usually defined by timelines that reach the end of the century, but some cities are preparing for the future of an altered climate by taking a short-term approach.

October 19 - Energy News Network

Second Home

The State of the Market for Second Homes, Prior to the Pandemic

Half of the nation's second homes are found in nine states, according to recent data analysis by the National Association of Home Builders, and building is likely to increase in vacation areas soon, according to one expert.

October 19 - National Association of Home Builders Eye on Housing

Streetlighting

FEATURE

Seeing the Street

A San Francisco-based design studio describes the thought process behind an effort to push outdoor lighting design beyond the lowest common denominator allowed by bureaucracy and status quo thinking.

October 18 - Nash Hurley

Coronavirus

Herd Immunity Finds Receptive Audience in White House and Florida

A trio of epidemiologists from Stanford, Harvard, and the University of Oxford have joined the president's new coronavirus medical advisor, Scott Atlas, in promoting an alternative approach to dealing with coronavirus infections.

October 18 - The Washington Post

Downtown Philadelphia

Pandemic's Economic Realities Bolster Case for a Land Value Tax

The example of Philadelphia shows how a land value tax could provide relief to residents and the city's finances.

October 18 - WHYY

Summerhill Bus Rapid Transit Project

Atlanta Bus Rapid Transit Project, a First in Georgia, Moves Along

The first-ever Bus Rapid Transit system for the region surrounding Atlanta is making progress, and ready to hire consultants.

October 18 - SaportaReport

Compton, California

PLANOPEDIA

What Is a Specific Plan?

Specific Plans are unique to the state of California, but come up frequently in media coverage of planning. Understanding the purpose of Specific Plans can also open a window to understanding of how planning works all over the country.

October 16 - James Brasuell

Fort Worth,Texas Oct.21, 2017 Food truck at the trendy area of South side also called the Magnolia area in Forth Worth,Texas.

Fort Worth Plans Big Moves to Rebrand Near Southside

Fort Worth business owners plan to promote the Near Southside area as a hub for artists and entrepreneurs.

October 16 - Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Children Walking To School

'Pedestrians First' Measures Walkability for Babies, Toddlers, Caregivers, Everyone

The ITDP's new Pedestrians First tool describes why and how to improve walking conditions, and provides comprehensive analysis of walkability for 1000 cities.

October 16 - Pedestrians First

Zoning Code Rendering

First Look: Zoning Changes Proposed to Implement Minneapolis' Landmark Comp Plan

A plan is only as good as its implementation, and so the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan needs the right zoning code to achieve its lofty goals.

October 16 - Streets MN

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.