The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Woman in green sweater wearing light blue medical mask sitting on bus looking at her phone.

BLOG POST

Valuing Ounces of Prevention

Planning decisions often involve trade-offs between short-term prevention costs and larger future savings and benefits. Planners can help communities determine what best reflects their priorities.

August 21 - Todd Litman

Flooding

Texas Adopts Statewide Flood Plan

The plan outlines thousands of suggestions for mitigating flood risk, which pose a threat in all of the state’s planning regions.

August 21 - Panola Watchman

Interstate 94 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Environmental Groups Sue to Stop Freeway Expansion

Groups including the Sierra Club say the expansion of I-94 would negatively impact communities of color and increase flood risks.

August 21 - Fox 6 Milwaukee

Close-up on the bottom half of people sitting in a hospital waiting room.

Maryland Assistance Program Links Housing and Healthcare

The state will begin funding an existing program that targets the healthcare needs of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

August 21 - Route Fifty

Green Peter Pan intercity bus parked at station in Hartford, Connecticut.

Northeast Corridor Megabus Routes to be Served by Peter Pan Bus Lines

The operator is taking over intercity routes in the Northeast after Megabus owner Coach USA’s June bankruptcy.

August 21 - Source of the Spring


A historic color-coded HOLC map of Milwalkee with sections in red, yellow, and blue.

FEATURE

Putting the Myth of the Redlining Maps to Rest

Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) maps have long been blamed for racial inequities in today’s Black neighborhoods, but recent research shows that’s misleading.

August 21 - Alan Mallach

Interior of large parking garage full of cars.

New Survey Shows Support for Unbundled Parking

Parking reform advocates say separating the cost of parking from rent can promote more sustainable transportation choices and reduce driving.

August 20 - Streetsblog USA


Rendering of automated people mover on elevated track at Los Angeles International Airport at nighttime with iconic light columns.

LA City Council Approves Extra Funding for LAX People Mover

The automated electric rail system is expected to carry up to 30 million passengers per year to points in and around the Los Angeles International Airport.

August 20 - Westside Current

Group of five people standing in a wetland park smiling at the camera during a cleanup event.

Building a Greener Future: Youth Leadership in Climate Action

The L.A. County Youth Climate Commission empowers young voices to influence sustainable policies, prioritizing environmental justice and addressing top issues like cleaner air, green spaces, and green buildings.

August 20 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

Aerial view of sprawling Las Vegas suburbs at golden hour with desert mountain in background.

Las Vegas Faces Opportunity to Stop Sprawl

Having sprawled for the past few decades, the Las Vegas region is bumping up against undevelopable federal lands. Those limits give it the chance to consider a denser, more urban future.

August 20 - California Planning & Development Report

Chicago elevated train leaving a platform.

Chicago Commute Times Could Double Without New Transit Funding

A dire warning from regional transit leaders paints a bleak scenario for traffic if agencies are forced to cut service.

August 20 - Chicago Sun-Times

Back view of group of six children and one adult walking down school hallway.

BLOG POST

The Role of Schools in Fostering Vibrant and Inclusive Communities

Discover how schools play a crucial role in community development by fostering inclusivity, enhancing local engagement, and serving as hubs for social and cultural activities.

August 20 - Devin Partida

Worker in blue pants holding hose while standing in flooded interior room.

Baltimore Sewer Backup Assistance Programs Stall

Two programs aimed at helping residents safely clean up overflows caused by aging pipes are in limbo due to a dispute between the city and the EPA.

August 20 - Inside Climate News

Construction site of offshore wind farm near the Dutch coast.

US Offshore Wind Industry Gains Momentum

Federal support for offshore wind projects is helping the industry grow, with nine projects approved so far this year.

August 20 - Sierra

Historic Victorian houses in San Jose, California.

San Jose Homeowners Can Now Sell ADUs as Condos

A new policy could help boost the supply of smaller, more affordable ‘starter homes’ in the first California city to legalize the sale of ADUs.

August 19 - San José Spotlight

Aerial view of smoke from fires in Lahaina area of Maui, Hawaii.

University of Hawaiʻi Researchers Assess Impacts of Maui Fires and Support Recovery

One year after the devastating Maui wildfires, UH researchers are addressing the disaster's impacts through studies on health, environmental contamination, disaster preparedness, and housing, aiming to support recovery and improve resilience.

August 19 - University of Hawai'i News

Intake towers for Hoover Dam in Lake Mead.

Western States Face New Round of Water Cuts

In Nevada, efforts to conserve water include a ban on ornamental grass and regulations on swimming pool sizes.

August 19 - Nevada Current

Green oil well behind a fence next to a small street in California.

California Could Extend Oil Well Monitoring Deadlines

Legislators are considering extending the deadline for new oil well safety regulations by up to 54 months, sparking controversy over whether the delay benefits the oil industry at the expense of public health.

August 19 - CALmatters

Group of children looking down at map.

Building Healthier Communities: The Role of GIS in Park Planning

Integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) into park planning enhances community health by promoting physical activity, supporting mental well-being, fostering social connectedness, and addressing public health crises and climate change.

August 19 - Esri Blog

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument site.

Site of Race Riot in Springfield, Illinois, Designated as National Monument

President Biden has designated the site of the 1908 Springfield race riot as a national monument, honoring its historical significance.

August 19 - National Public Radio

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.