If you've been waiting for a nice crossover of the Star Wars universe and the planning and urban design universe, here it is.

Alissa Walker writes a humorous post about some of the hullabaloo surrounding the recent release of the Rogue One trailer. It seems the new trailer has inspired some commentary that some of the new scenes, set on the original Death Star before Luke Skywalker [spoiler redacted] in Episode IV, was filmed in a London Tube station.
Walker, who adopts a deadpanned satirical voice for the post, refutes these claims: "Everyone knows that the Death Star has an incredibly comprehensive public transit system—possibly the best in the universe."
Walker proceeds to detail the engineering and planning marvel that is the Death Star's fast, efficient light-rail transit system. "After years of proposed routes," writes Walker, "it was determined that the line would prove most effective by allowing easy access to major operational hubs at the Imperial Command Center and Emperor’s Tower, while traveling close to—but not through—the superlaser cannon well." More jokes, of the Star Wars nerd variety and the urban design/planning nerd variety, are included.
FULL STORY: The Death Star Has the Most Impressive Public Transit System in the Galaxy

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Study Links Covid and Poor Driving
The effects of the virus, including ‘brain fog,’ can make driving more difficult and dangerous.

Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street
If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.

Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces
Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
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