The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Seattle Expands Heat Pump Rebates
Moderate-income households can access up to $8,000 in incentives to switch from oil heating systems to more efficient electric heat pumps.
Houston Metro Abandons Bike Share in Favor of On-Demand Microtransit
The agency failed to include funding for bike share in its 2025 budget proposal.
Floodplain Development Largely Concentrated in Gulf Coast States
Many U.S. cities use ‘routine’ practices like zoning changes and permitting to discourage development in high-risk flood zones.
Austin’s Project Connect Gains Key Budget Approval
The light rail project can move forward with the engineering and design phase, with a groundbreaking expected in 2027.
Chattanooga Offers Free Land for Affordable Housing
The city plans to distribute 11 properties to affordable housing builders.
London Low-Emissions Zone Prompts Shift to Active Modes
More children are using active transportation modes to get to school in the wake of a policy that charges drivers to enter a low-emissions zone in central London.
Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant Could Power Microsoft Data Centers
The proposal to restart one unit of the infamous plant, which suffered a partial meltdown in 1979, still requires federal, state, and local approvals.
Gov. Newsom Signs Housing Bills Aimed at ‘Original Sin’ of Affordability
A package of 32 bills could help make housing more available and affordable in California.
Honolulu Skyline Train Enters Final Construction Phase
The third phase of the project will expand service to downtown Honolulu on the ‘nation’s first large-scale, publicly run automated metro system.’
California Law Bars Parking Mandates Near Transit
Local governments are prohibited from requiring parking spaces at new developments where transit is readily available.
Study: Heat Deaths on the Rise, Predicted to Increase
As intense heat waves become more common, the risk of heat-related deaths is rising.
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.
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.
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.
Repositioning Bike and Walking Trails as Essential Infrastructure
Cities and states can access federal transportation funding by including trails in long-range transportation plans.
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.
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.’
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.
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.
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.
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