The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Aerial view of Pennybacker Bridge in Austin, Texas. Bridge over river with orange arches and downtown Austin visible in far background.

Texas Infrastructure Gets a ‘C’

The American Society of Civil Engineers rates states in 16 categories related to transportation, water, waste management, parks, and more.

February 25 - KSAT

Close-up on mortgage application terms and house-shaped gold keychain with gold key on it.

HUD Cuts Could Derail Mortgage Underwriting Agency

Staffing cuts at the Federal Housing Administration could imperil affordable housing projects and mortgage programs for new homeowners.

February 25 - Bloomberg CityLab

White Waymo self-driving taxi on street in downtown San Francisco, California with glass high-rise in background.

NHTSA Cuts Could Make Roads More Dangerous

The agency is losing almost half of the team that oversees autonomous vehicle safety, among dozens of other key personnel.

February 24 - The Washington Post

Tents set up against fence by unhoused people under freeway overpass in San Francisco, California.

New Book Highlights Human Side of Homelessness Crisis

A San Francisco reporter’s empathetic portrait of unhoused Bay Area residents reminds readers why supportive housing is worth fighting for.

February 24 - The New Yorker

Public transit bus on Chicago street with tall historic buildings in background.

Study: Most Chicago Rideshare Trips Could Be Made by Transit

Researchers found that 99 percent of rideshare trips could be made by buses and trains — but the time savings roughly equal an hour’s wage.

February 24 - Cities Today


Banner reading "I'm not a tourist - I live here!!!" hung on balcony in Barcelona, Spain.

Barcelona Buys Building to Prevent Tenant Evictions

One apartment building — and its tenants who faced eviction — became a potent symbol of the city’s growing housing crisis.

February 24 - Bloomberg CityLab

Playground and picnic benches in city park in San Francisco Bay Area.

Philanthropy for Parks: Strengthening Recreation and Green Spaces

The Los Angeles County Parks Foundation is dedicated to supporting parks and recreation through fundraising, advocacy, and community-driven initiatives, focusing on expanding access to green spaces and programs for underserved communities.

February 24 - Los Angeles County Parks Foundation


Skating rink under freeway in Bentway park in Toronto, Canada.

Montreal’s Gorilla Park Repurposes Defunct Railway Track

The park is part of a global movement to build public spaces that connect neighbors and work with local elements to serve as key parts of a city’s green infrastructure.

February 24 - The Globe and Mail

Military humvee driving through gate at Fort Indiantown Gap Natl Guard training center in Pennsylvania surrounded by winter trees and dead leaves.

Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species

The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.

February 24 - Esri Blog

Large banyan tree in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Growing Green: How Parks and Trees Shape Honolulu’s Future

Honolulu is expanding its urban tree canopy through community-driven park revitalization efforts, emphasizing the environmental, social, and cultural benefits of trees in creating a more resilient and equitable city.

February 23 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Blue pyramid-shaped stadium on campus of Cal State Long Beach in Long Beach, California.

California State University System Leads Nation in Economic Mobility for Students

A new study ranks California State University campuses among the top institutions in California for economic mobility, demonstrating their success in providing affordable education that significantly boosts students’ long-term earnings.

February 23 - Los Angeles Times

Close-up of green freeway sign for Lincoln Tunnel in New Jersey.

Is Trump’s Reversal of Congestion Pricing Legal?

Gov. Hochul says New York City will “keep its cameras on.” Can the administration legally end the nation's first cordon pricing program?

February 23 - Slate

Multistory apartment building under construction.

Permanent Supportive Housing Providers Face Steep Insurance Hikes

High insurance costs are calling some organizations’ future into question as supportive housing providers struggle to meet their expenses.

February 23 - Next City

Downtown Los Angeles skyline at sunset with new 6th Street Viaduct arches in foreground.

Downtown Los Angeles on the Rise: A Promising 2025

Fueled by new developments, cultural investments, and a growing dining scene, downtown Los Angeles is poised for significant growth in 2025, despite challenges from recent wildfires and economic uncertainties.

February 21 - Los Angeles Downtown News

Aerial view of Cedar Viaduct under construction for California high-speed rail train in Fresno, California.

Federal Funding for California High-Speed Rail Under Review

USDOT says it will evaluate the funding currently committed to the construction of California’s high-speed rail project, which has run years behind schedule and billions over its projected budget.

February 21 - San Francisco Chronicle

Black and white photo of row of tents set up against fence outdoors.

Trump Wants to Force Homeless People Into ‘Tent Cities.’ Can He?

The president pushed for sweeping crackdowns and the possible internment of people experiencing homelessness. To see what's coming, we should look to what states have already done.

February 21 - Shelterforce

Close-up of car dashboard with speedometer at 35 on roadway at night.

FEATURE

Has Progress on Travel Safety Run Off the Road?

Changing technology and rebuilding infrastructure to improve road safety are long-term strategies. How can enforcement and interventions that influence driver behavior make a difference in reducing traffic deaths sooner?

February 21 - Steven Polzin

Aerial view of dense historic urban area of Bradford, United Kingdom.

Clean Air Zone Nets Health Authority Over £30K per Month

A new study links the zone to a 25 percent drop in GP visits for lung and heart conditions in its first year alone.

February 20 - The Guardian

Portland Oregon Old Town neon sign and blurred traffic at night.

Portland Transportation Bureau Faces ‘Existential’ Cuts

PBOT’s director says the agency’s impending budget shortfall could imperil even basic transportation and infrastructure services.

February 20 - Willamette Week

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

California Bills Would Rein in Data Centers’ Energy Use

A series of proposed bills seeks to limit ratepayer increases and ensure data centers report their energy usage and electricity sources.

February 20 - CALmatters

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An annual review of books related to planning.

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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.