Planning

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MBTA Bus

Transit Plans Change as the Pandemic Lingers

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) this week proposed cuts to public transit service. In a decision that will likely repeat as more transit agencies undertake similar processes, the MBTA decided to prioritize buses over trains.

November 12, 2020 - Trains

Accessory Dwelling Unit

Why Have ADUs Proliferated in Portland, Lagged in D.C.?

A new report by the Urban Institute examines the consequences of small differences in land use regulations.

November 11, 2020 - Greater Greater Washington

Gila National Forest

A New Tool for More Flexible and Resilient Water Policies

A new book created by the Sonoran Institute explains how exploratory scenario planning can be useful to prepare for the uncertainty of water in the near- and long-term future.

November 10, 2020 - Sonoran Institute

Al Fresco Streets

Parametric Modeling for Planning in Uncertain Times

A new technology- and data-drive approach to planning could provide direction as society faces challenges of unprecedented scale.

November 10, 2020 - Smart Cities Dive

Freeway Construction

Cities Have Doubled in Size Globally in the Last 20 Years, Study Says

New research from China finds an incredible rate of urban expansion in North America and China.

November 9, 2020 - South China Morning Post

Capital Metro Metrorail

State and Local Votes Reveal Widespread Support for Public Transit

There's a narrative to be built from the results of state and local elections on issues of public transit funding: voters continue to support more funding for public transit projects and programs.

November 5, 2020 - Streetsblog USA

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

NextGen Bus Plan Approved in Los Angeles

Major changes are coming to the Metro bus system in the nation's second largest city. After three years of planning and public feedback, the Metro board has approved the NextGen bus plan.

November 5, 2020 - The Source

Stars and Stripes

2020 Election Results for Transportation and Land Use

Thinking beyond the presidency: Here's an Election Day 2020 roundup of election issues related to planning, urban design, and the built and natural environments.

November 4, 2020 - James Brasuell

Transit Planning

Controversial Bus Rapid Transit Connection Between L.A. and Pasadena Moves Forward

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority recently released a draft environmental impact report for the NoHo to Pasadena Transit Corridor.

November 4, 2020 - Los Angeles Daily News

2020 Election

Coronavirus and the Future of Cities: A Final Pre-Election Tour of the Issues

This is Planetizen's seventh collection of articles on the subject of the future of cities in the wake of the pandemic, and how cities and communities are changing plans to respond to the many changes that world has experienced in 2020.

November 3, 2020 - James Brasuell

Portland Pearl District Streetcar

New Details for Portland's Transit Plan as Voters Head to the Polls

Voters in Portland-area voters will decide on a transportation funding measure for the "Get Moving 2020" plan, with details of four bus rapid transit project targeted for funding announced within weeks of the election.

November 2, 2020 - BikePortland

Vancouver Car Free Robson

Vancouver's State-of-Art Climate Action Plan Incorporates Multiple Goals

The city of Vancouver's new Climate Emergency Action Plan incorporates a comprehensive scope of goals, including affordability, public health, and social equity, which can help build broad public support.

October 29, 2020 - City of Vancouver Climate Emergency Action Plan

Miami, Florida

Revitalization Without Displacement: A New Model From Miami

Upzonings in working class neighborhoods usually provoke political opposition based on concerns about gentrification and displacement. But the new Wynwood Norte Neighborhood Revitalization District in Miami might have worked for a solution.

October 28, 2020 - Miami Herald

Coronavirus and Transportation

Backtracking From Ambitious Bus Lane Promises in New York City

Back in June, the city of New York seemed poised for a major shift in transportation priority. In October, reality is setting in about how hard a sell the transformation will be.

October 28, 2020 - StreetsBlog NYC

George Floyd

From Eco-Districts to Green Justice Zones

A great challenge facing urban planning in the short- and long-term future is how to complete green infrastructure and development without spurring gentrification and displacement.

October 27, 2020 - Joan Fitzgerald

U.S.-Mexico Border

Trump's Infrastructure Accomplishments Fall Short of Promises

President Trump has fallen short of 2016 promises to update and upgrade the key infrastructure of the United States, according to this article.

October 27, 2020 - The Washington Post

Society Hill Historic Buildings

Downzoning for Society Hill Back on After the Philadelphia City Council Overrides Mayoral Veto

One of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Philadelphia is increasing parking requirements and limiting building heights at all costs.

October 26, 2020 - WHYY

Downtown Nashville Bus

'Better Bus' Is Nashville's Latest Attempt at Transit Upgrades

The Better Bus plan is the latest effort at rethinking public transit in Nashville.

October 25, 2020 - WeGo Public Transit

Bears Ears National Monument

The Trump Administration's Trail of Broken Environmental Regulations

Critics of the Trump administration who chide the president for a lack of accomplishments should check the environmental record.

October 25, 2020 - The New York Times

Black Wall Street

Social Worker-Turned-Planner on How Planners Can Heal the Trauma of Cities

Jose Richard Aviles says community comes first in the planner-community relationship.

October 22, 2020 - American Planning Associarion

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.

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.