The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
FEATURE
Mass Transit and Manure: New York’s Lost Era of Horse-Drawn Streetcars
For all the problems we have with today's mass transit system, at least we no longer have to deal with the smell and literal waste of the modern bus and light rail systems' predecessors: horse-drawn streetcars.
Report: Americans Must Reduce Driving to Meet Climate Goals
A USDOT report calls for a set of strategies including but not limited to electrification of the transportation sector.
Traffic Tech is Helping Texas Curb Road Deaths
The state is deploying AI-assisted technology to identify dangerous road segments and improve signal timing.
BLOG POST
July’s Must Reads: Top 10 Articles from Last Month
In case you missed them, here were the biggest urban planning news items, features, and blogs from last month, including 15 new Amtrak routes, Florida’s EV law, California’s rail update, fare-free buses in Tucson, and more.
Data Centers Gaining Ground in Central Ohio
Massive data centers are gobbling up energy resources and tax breaks while creating few jobs in the region.
Chicago Pumps the Brakes on BRT
City officials say funding for dedicated bus lanes could take years, but other improvements could speed up bus service.
Beating Extreme Heat Through Community Efforts
U.S. cities don't provide residents with enough protection against heat, the deadliest weather-related killer in the world. In New York City, one organization came together to distribute ACs to neighbors in need.
Maine Mobility Advocates Question Highway Expansion
State transportation officials say a proposed road expansion project would reduce congestion — if coupled with transit initiatives.
A Place to Recover from Illness: How Medical Respite Programs Help Unhoused People Heal
For people experiencing homelessness, recuperating after a hospitalization is difficult. Medical respite programs can help. Why aren't they more common?
Wildfires Explode Across the West
Multiple massive fires are burning across the Western United States and Canada, prompting governments to explore new mitigation and response strategies.
Advancing Sustainability and Resilience Through Parks
The Urban Land Institute offers fact sheets describing five innovative ways that parks can reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate threats while advancing health, equity, and quality of life in urban areas.
It’s Unanimous: Columbus Approves Density-Friendly Zoning Changes
Columbus has approved six zoning code amendments, which include height limit increases from three stories to 16 and eliminate parking requirements for large developments in 12,300 parcels along major transportation corridors.
BLOG POST
First Federal Funding for Hydrogen Hubs Awarded to California and Pacific Northwest
The U.S. Department of Energy announced on July 17 that the first grant to build the nation's seven proposed 'hydrogen hubs' would go to California. The ultimate goal is to decarbonize transportation fuels used in port operations.
20 States Best and Least Prepared for Climate Change and Extreme Weather
A new study from CNBC ranks US states in order of sustainability and preparedness for climate change and extreme weather. A few might surprise you.
New Orleans Transit Struggles to Maintain Service
Regional transit agencies, already forced to make cuts, are calling for state funding to help them maintain service and access federal grant opportunities.
Tesla ‘Nearly Crashes’ in Full Self-Driving Mode
A test of Tesla’s autonomous mode showed troubling permissiveness, according to one analyst.
The Challenges of Building Middle-Income Housing
An affordable housing developer explains the hurdles to building more housing for middle-income households.
NYC Sees 127 Traffic Deaths in First Half of 2024
The number is the highest since the city pledged to end traffic deaths through Vision Zero policies a decade ago.
An Update on California’s E-Bike Incentive Program
The e-bike rebate program, first funded in 2021, is still a failure to launch.
Study: Bike Lanes, Traffic Calming Don’t Impact First Responders
Despite common concerns that narrower traffic lanes and bike infrastructure can slow emergency response, response times in one study didn’t change.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
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.
