The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Trump Campaign

Trump Creates Council to Study 'Eliminating Barriers to Affordable Housing Development'

President Trump is scheduled to sign an executive order today that will create a federal-level group to study the obstructionist practices of local governments and the potential for a federal response.

June 25 - The Wall Street Journal

Porch

State of the Nation's Housing: Housing Production, Supply Still Coming Up Short

The Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University released its annual "The State of the Nation's Housing" report this morning. There are some signs of post-recession normalcy in the housing market for high-income earners.

June 25 - Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University

Lake Michigan

'Yes in My Back Yard Act' Introduced in the U.S. Senate

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Indiana) has introduced a new law that picks sides in the housing debate, though the law is unlikely to produce structural change in the development process the near future.

June 25 - Senator Todd Young

Biology

Saving Habitat: Just as Much for Humans as for Everything Else

Edward O. Wilson, famed for pressing for the conservation of half of the planet's land and oceans, recently turned 90 years old.

June 25 - National Geographic

Chicago, Illinois

Editorial Board Calls for Tax Increment Financing Reform in Chicago

The Chicago Tribune says the city of Chicago can't be trusted with tax increment financing (TIF), so it's time for a do-over.

June 25 - Chicago Tribune


Kind on the subway

Where Subway Service Improved in New York City

Some trains are running faster in New York City. The New York Times created a series of infographics to show which lines have sped up, and by how much.

June 25 - The New York Times

Virginia

Sustainable Mobility Goals in Reach in Richmond

As Richmond, Virginia grows, the city’s network of fixed-route transit and shared ride service is evolving to meet travelers’ needs.

June 25 - Mobility Lab


U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

HUD Secretary Carson Supports Minneapolis-Style Upzoning

U.S. Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, in Minneapolis last week, expressed support for the planning reforms included in the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

June 25 - Star Tribune

Portland Light Rail

Details on the Portland Region's Proposed $2.7 Billion Light Rail Line

The Southwest Corridor light rail project has a preferred alternative route, but there's still a lot of work to do before the ambitious project can begin construction, much less begin shuttling riders between Portland and Bridgeport Village.

June 24 - The Oregonian

Madrid Street

Madrid’s Bold Car Ban May Become a Thing of the Past

A new conservative administration says it wants to do away with the ban on cars in the city center.

June 24 - CityLab

Toronto Waterfront

Master Plan for Quayside 'Smart City' Released by Sidewalk Labs and Waterfront Toronto

The long-awaited master plan for Quayside in Toronto was released to the public today.

June 24 - Toronto Star

Climate CHange

Carbon Neutrality: What Does it Mean, and Is it Possible?

Are 'zero carbon' goals the most effective way to cut greenhouse gases, or are they the most politically feasible strategies? NPR climate and environment reporter, Nathan Rott, explores the challenge in an interview on All Things Considered.

June 24 - NPR

Freeway Underpass Encampment

Boulders to Replace Rose Bushes in ODOT Effort to Inconvenience the Homeless

The Oregon Department of Transportation anticipates spending about a million dollars to bring boulders to road embankments so that they are less hospitable to the homeless.

June 24 - KGW

Bus Rapid Transit

Public Outcry Greets Plan to Connect L.A. to Pasadena via Bus Rapid Transit

Voters might have approved transit funding multiple measures by wide margins in Los Angeles County in recent years, but actual project proposals still have trouble appealing at the hyper-local level.

June 24 - Los Angeles Daily News

Tenants' Rights

Strong Reactions to New York Rent Control Changes

Rounding up the numerous reactions to a law approved by the New York State Legislature this month making 'landmark' changes to rent control regulations in New York City.

June 24 - Planetizen

Supreme Court Statue

APA Disappointed With Supreme Court's Decision in Takings Case

The decision in Knick v. Township of Scott prompted a response from the American Planning Association.

June 24 - American Planning Association

Metro Fare

When Low-Income Riders Get Reduced Fares, They Ride More Transit

A study from MIT seems to confirm that the cost of transit is depressing use of service by low-income residents, and that reduced fares help this population take the trips they currently don’t.

June 24 - Streetsblog Massachusetts

An image of a 3D city block generated by ESRI CityEngine software

BLOG POST

How 3D Printing and Modeling Are Revolutionizing Urban Planning

The applications for 3D technology in the field of planning are multiplying and diversifying.

June 24 - Kayla Matthews

Car-Centric Planning

Congestion Pricing: An Expat View

Writing from London in an Op-Ed for Seattle’s Crosscut, Chuck Wolfe argues for a contextual approach to a much-touted search for transportation equity.

June 23 - Crosscut

Austin

Google Expanding in Austin

Google is positioning itself to take advantage of the local talent residing in and around Austin.

June 23 - Austin American-Statesman

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.