The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Trump Administration Launches Long-Promised Challenge to Fair Housing Law

A new rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development raises the burden of proof in cases of disparate impact, and provides additional defenses for defendants.

August 22 - CityLab

Denver High Line

Lofty Ambitions for Denver's Planned Urban Trail

The first section of the 5280 Trail, ready for design work in Denver, is already being compared to the High Line in New York City.

August 22 - The Denver Post

Radar Speed Sign

The Case for Slower Cities

Lower speed limits make cities safer, more livable, and, in the long run, more functional.

August 22 - CityLab

Vacant Lot

Housing Designs for New York Small Lots

A design competition focuses on the many tiny and often irregularly shaped vacant lots of New York City.

August 22 - Curbed New York

Copenhagen Bikes

What's Behind Copenhagen's Success as a Cycling City?

Denmark's capital is a model city in terms of biking, but the reasons that bikes rule go beyond political leadership and robust infrastructure.

August 22 - City Observatory


Accessory Dwelling Unit

Making the Case for ADUs and Housing Equity

For Montgomery County in Maryland, accessory dwelling units are a viable strategy to help ease the affordable housing crisis.

August 21 - Greater Greater Washington

Historic Towns

Land Use of 2,200-Acre Site Holds Up 'Livable Frederick' Plan in Western Maryland

City councilmembers are debating the future of a 2,200-acre former aluminum smelting plant in Frederick, Maryland. The debate centers on the viability of the parcel as transit-oriented development.

August 21 - The Frederick News-Post


Electric Scooters

Historic Preservation—A Reason to Nix Scooters?

Scooter opponents in Alexandria, Virginia, claim the devices threaten the historic character of the city, but supporters say the argument is nonsense.

August 21 - Greater Greater Washington

4 abandoned homes in St. Louis's Greater Ville neighborhood

The Dark Side of the Rust Belt Revival

Cities in flyover country are facing new redevelopment challenges as companies relocate from costly coastal cities. In St. Louis, downtown revitalization has also brought plans to tackle blight, and the consequences for residents could be immense.

August 21 - CityLab

Lakeland, Florida

Co-Working Spaces Fill Opportunity Zone Developments

Developers are working to attract tenants to co-working spaces, in a relationship that they say benefits companies as well as surrounding communities.

August 21 - The New York Times

Dallas, Texas

Uber Facility for 3,000 Employees Headed to Dallas

The new Uber office in Dallas will be the company's largest employment hub outside of its San Francisco headquarters.

August 21 - The Dallas Morning News

Flooding

Flood Plans, Green Infrastructure Take Center Stage in Houston's Mayoral Race

The city of Houston will decide their next mayor in November, in a rematch of the two candidates who ran against each other in a tight runoff election in 2015 as well as a host of additional candidates.

August 21 - Houston Chronicle

Massachusetts Thoroughbred Racing

Casino, Racetrack Development Proposed for Southeastern Massachusetts

A casino or a racetrack would be notable in this part of Massachusetts, but this development is proposing both.

August 21 - The Boston Globe

Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta Pedestrian Bridge—Not a Good Example of Public Dollars Well Spent

The bridge was touted as a connection between downtown and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but it is more a reflection of the city’s misplaced fiscal and planning priorities.

August 21 - Curbed Atlanta

Bike Infrastructure

Pushing for a Five-Borough Network of Protected Bike Lanes

The Regional Plan Association (RPA) is responding to a spate of fatalities on the streets of New York city. The question remains whether the city's will response will be effective in improving traffic safety.

August 21 - Curbed New York

Mexico City, Florida

Climate Change as a Housing Crisis 'Threat Multiplier'

Extreme weather is exacerbating the threats posing communities struggling with a lack of affordable housing.

August 20 - Next City

Streetcar

Unified Fare Payment in Detroit

The QLine streetcar joins the fare payment system of DDOT and SMART buses in the Motor City.

August 20 - Detroit Free Press

Metro Transit Green Line

Twin Cities Light Rail Cuts Overnight Service, Displaces Hundreds of Homeless Riders

Homeless and working class riders won't have the shelter and mobility offered by Green Line trains in the Twin Cities, as Metro Transit cuts overnight service.

August 20 - Star Tribune

Oakland California

As Housing Units Multiply, Local Businesses Struggle to Hang On in Downtown Oakland

The city of Oakland, across the bay from San Francisco, is the rare California city quickly adding housing units to the urban core. Local businesses are struggling to hang on as construction changes the fabric of the neighborhood.

August 20 - San Francisco Chronicle

Twitter Headquarters

'Housing Twitter' and the Great Debate

In case you weren't already aware, there are is a how subculture of debate and controversy on Twitter devoted to the subject of housing. And if you were aware, and perhaps are a participant, here's what Fast Company is saying about you.

August 20 - Fast Company

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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.