The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Elon Musk appears on stage in front of a backdrop of information about the Boring Company.

Tesla’s Self-Driving Still Not Working in Las Vegas Tunnels

The Boring Company had previously said it was working with Tesla to use its self-driving system in its tunnels below Las Vegas to save costs on drivers, but two years later, there is no clear timeline for “full autonomy.”

September 9 - Electrek

Aerial view of wide multilane road intersection.

Stroads, High Poverty Are Commonalities Between US Counties with High Pedestrian Death Rates

Three-fourths of counties with the highest pedestrian death rates also had persistently high poverty rates, according to a Stateline article.

September 9 - Stateline

Historic Victorian homes in Huntington Beach, California with tall palm trees on a sunny day.

California Bill Seeks to Balance Preservation and Housing Demand

A bill awaiting the governor’s signature would require cities to report new historic preservation ordinances and assess how they impact local housing supplies.

September 8 - California YIMBY

View of Missoula, Montana on a sunny day.

Montana Supreme Court Upholds Zoning Reform Bills

The decision invalidates a preliminary injunction that blocked two key housing bills.

September 8 - Daily Montanan

Close-up on green painted curb with '30 min max' in white.

How Cities Use Tech for Curb Management

Curb monitoring technology is helping cities build a growing understanding of the shifting demand for this valuable urban space.

September 8 - GovTech


Aerial view of road construction with yellow heavy equipment parked next to two-lane asphalt road against green forest and blue sky

Study: Cost of Expanding Roads Outweighs Benefits

New research shows that the economic benefits of roadbuilding projects don’t come close to exceeding most projects’ costs.

September 8 - Bloomberg CityLab

Red bus only lanes on Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco, California with bus stopped at station.

Van Ness BRT Speeds Travel by 36%, Earns Silver Designation

The San Francisco rapid bus line is making transit on the corridor more reliable and reducing traffic crashes and congestion.

September 6 - City of San Francisco


Stormwater

Study: Outdated Stormwater Infrastructure Exacerbates Flooding

Infrastructure built to mitigate flooding a century ago no longer serves current needs.

September 6 - Tech Xplore

Miami-Dade public transit bus.

Miami-Dade Building Electric Bus Operations Center

The 20-acre facility will help the county reach its goal of electrifying 20 percent of its bus fleet.

September 6 - Smart Cities Dive

New York City skyline with construction cranes in foreground

Can NYC Produce Half a Million Housing Units in a Decade?

The city’s ambitious ‘City of Yes’ zoning reform plan requires a broad array of sometimes controversial policy changes.

September 6 - Manhattan Institute for Policy Research

Blue and white Zero-Emission Multiple Unit (ZEMU) hydrogen-powered train in San Bernardino, California.

Hydrogen-Powered Train to Launch in Southern California

The 9-mile rail line could be a welcome breath of fresh air for one of the region’s most polluted communities.

September 5 - The Guardian

Maroon Bells sign for wilderness portal and white river national forest in Aspen, Colorado rocky mountain covered in snow after winter frozen in autumn 2019.

Future Uncertain for Housing Program Tied to Farm Bill

A provision that allows the federal government to lease some of its lands for affordable housing development could lapse if Congress fails to renew the Farm Bill.

September 5 - The Aspen Times

Aerial view of Trinity United Church aerial view at 103 Lafayette Road at Main Street in Seabrook historic town center, New Hampshire NH, USA.

Small Towns Lead in Parking Reform

Small towns and communities around the country are eliminating parking requirements at a faster rate than big cities.

September 5 - Sightline

Adaptively reused textile mill in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

A Guide to Regulating Adaptive Reuse

How building codes and zoning laws can guide the safe and effective conversion of existing properties to residential units.

September 5 - Pro Builder

Aerial view of massive freeway interchange with downtown Houston skyline in background.

Houston Bus Lanes Downgraded to HOV Lanes

Metro officials say the new plan for the Iner Katy Project addresses more immediate needs by replacing dedicated bus lanes with HOV lanes.

September 5 - Houston Chronicle

Google Maps street view of new office tower in Atlanta, Georgia.

Fourth Ward Project Aims for Sustainability on Atlanta's Beltline

A new megaproject hopes to bring new life to a former industrial site.

September 5 - Metropolis

Close-up on wooden section of bike and pedestrian path marked with ped symbols on one side and bike symbols on the other.

Pedestrians First: Tools for a Walkable City

A comprehensive new website provides information on why and how to improve community walkability and offers practical tools for evaluating walking conditions.

September 5 - Pedestrians First: Tools for a Walkable City

Two colorful Victorian houses in Conway, Massachusetts.

How Massachusetts Zoning Reform Impacts ADU Laws

Cities and towns have until February to adjust their zoning codes to reflect more permissive rules for accessory dwelling units.

September 5 - Amherst Bulletin

Aerial view of Tacoma, Washington residential neighborhood with mature trees.

Tacoma Program Offers Free Street Trees

The Green Blocks program targets neighborhoods with the highest need for additional tree canopy.

September 4 - The Urbanist

Yellow electric school bus with preteen students exiting.

Oakland Electric School Buses Can Return Power to Grid

The district’s fully electric fleet features vehicle-to-grid technology that lets buses act as batteries when not in use.

September 4 - Grist

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