The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Rear view of woman in blue coat riding bike on busy road signals with left hand to merge into lane of traffic.

BLOG POST

The Risks of Self-Fulfilling Travel Forecasts

Transportation agencies continue to apply predict-and-provide planning which simply extrapolates past trends to predict future needs. It’s time to apply decide-and-provide planning to better achieve community goals.

September 23 - Todd Litman

Aerial view of suburban homes in New Jersey.

9 New Jersey Mayors Sue Over State Affordable Housing Law

Plaintiffs claim the new state law strips local control of growth, but affordable housing advocates say the lawsuit is just a delay tactic.

September 23 - NJ.com

A bouquet of flowers stands in the grass beside a rural road as a car drives by.

11 States With the Most Dangerous Rural Roads

According to a new report, rural roads nationwide see a disproportionate amount of traffic fatalities compared to their urban counterparts. But rural drivers in some states are at greater risk than in others.

September 23 - tripnet.org

People biking on paved bike trail in Arkansas.

Repositioning Bike and Walking Trails as Essential Infrastructure

Cities and states can access federal transportation funding by including trails in long-range transportation plans.

September 23 - Go Erie

Looking up at cluster of high-rise modern office buildings in San Francisco, California.

California Law Would Streamline Adaptive Reuse Process

A bill passed by the state senate would ease the permitting process for office conversions in central city neighborhoods.

September 22 - Globe St.


Vancouver Skyline

Report: BC Rents Down in Wake of New Short-Term Rental Rules

As municipal and provincial regulations clamp down on Airbnb and other short-term rental operators, rent costs are dropping ‘significantly.’

September 22 - The Globe and Mail

Man sitting in driver's seat looking at cell phone.

IIHS: Drivers Using ‘Autonomous’ Features More Likely to Be Distracted

Despite warnings that drivers should remain attentive, people behind the wheel of cars equipped with ‘autonomous’ assistance often take their eyes off the road.

September 22 - Quartz


View of passengers on transit bus at night.

Transit Service Cuts Likely Coming to Your Town

Absent additional state or federal funding, public transit systems across the nation could be forced to reduce service.

September 22 - Streetsblog USA

The Boring Company

Musk ‘Supercomputer’ Raises Water, Power, and Pollution Concerns in Memphis

The facility, which was completed in just 122 days, was rushed through so quickly, it is still missing environmental permits and infrastructure needed to ensure it doesn’t put stress on the grid or local water supply.

September 20 - NPR - All Things Considered

Girl wearing Covid mask and backpack getting dropped off by mom at school.

School Drop-Off Traffic Is Causing a Congestion — and Social — Crisis

School drop-off lines are becoming longer and more isolating than ever.

September 20 - The Atlantic

Oil drilling rig on plain in the Midwest.

Extraction on Tribal Lands Contributes to State Coffers

A recent investigation reveals that profits from oil, grazing, and other uses on state-managed tribal lands are funding off-reservation public institutions.

September 20 - High Country News

Sign on glass building for Minneapolis International Airport with airplane landing reflected in building.

Minneapolis Airport Expansion Uses Geothermal Heating and Water Conservation Methods to Reduce Impact

The improved facilities are expected to reduce their total energy use by 19 percent.

September 20 - Smart Cities Dive

Tents set up by unhoused people on sidewalk in San Francisco, California.

San Francisco Scrambles to Build Shelters Faster

Mayor Breed directed city officials to double its shelter expansion goal.

September 19 - San Francisco Chronicle

Aerial view of Norwalk, California.

SoCal City Defies State, Extending Homeless Shelter Ban

The Norwalk City Council voted to extend a ban on shelter facilities days after receiving a warning from state officials that the ban violates state housing laws.

September 19 - LAist

Red 'Welcome to Sacramento' sign in downtown Sacramento, California.

Sacramento’s Traffic Safety Crisis Could Be Declared a Public Emergency

Street safety advocates are calling for a stronger declaration that would focus on road design and equity.

September 19 - Streetsblog California

Sign for low emissions zone in downtown Madrid, Spain.

Madrid Uses Transit System for Parcel Delivery to Cut Emissions

A new pilot program uses trains to deliver packages at off-peak hours, lowering emissions from trucks.

September 19 - Global Railway Review

Solar panels installed as shade panels over parking lot with small cars parked underneath.

Commercial Buildings, Parking Lots Offer Significant Potential for Solar Energy

Massive swaths of flat rooftops, garages, and surface parking lots go underutilized. They could be producing renewable energy.

September 19 - Clean Technica

Bird's eye view of single-family homes in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Can Zoning Reform Save Pittsburgh’s Affordable Housing?

With home sale prices growing faster than anywhere in the country, the Steel City could enact major reforms to boost density and lower housing costs.

September 19 - Benzinga

Green "Dispensary Now Open" banner on tan/orange building.

BLOG POST

Economic Impacts of Zoning for Cannabis Businesses

Discover the economic impacts of zoning for cannabis businesses, including how these regulations affect local economies, influence real estate values, and shape community development.

September 19 - Devin Partida

Rendering of New Haven Union Station redevelopment.

Thousands of Affordable Housing Units Planned Near New Haven Train Station

The proposal could breathe new life into a long-neglected area near a heavily trafficked Amtrak station.

September 19 - CNU Public Square

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