Planning

How Transportation Technology Determines the Footprint of Cities
The Marchetti Constant, the willingness of people to travel for about a half an hour to get to and from work, explains the size of cities in history, and the metropolitan areas of today.

Philadelphia Planning Commission Approves ADU Bill
The commission recommended a trio of bills focused on historic preservation, including one that would permit accessory dwelling units on historic properties.

Former L.A. Planning Director Admits to Ethics Violation
A Los Angeles Times investigation reveals that the city of Los Angeles' might not have revealed every layer of ethics violation committed by Michael LoGrande after he left the Department of City Planning in 2016.

Land Use of 2,200-Acre Site Holds Up 'Livable Frederick' Plan in Western Maryland
City councilmembers are debating the future of a 2,200-acre former aluminum smelting plant in Frederick, Maryland. The debate centers on the viability of the parcel as transit-oriented development.

A Comedian's Brutal Takedown of Public Transportation's Failures
The Netflix show Patriot Act, starring Hasan Minhaj, assigns blame for the current state of public transit.

Rezoning for Larger Homes in a New York City Single-Family Neighborhood
A rezoning process for a neighborhood in Queens will allow homes to be built wider and deeper. Supporters say the space is needed for large families.

A Retiring Dean Considers the Changing Responsibilities of Planners
Former L.A. City Councilmember and retiring Cal Poly College of Environmental Design Dean Michael Woo reminds readers of the visionary responsibilities of elected officials to ensure the plans of today indeed consider the needs of tomorrow.

A Comprehensive Plan for Every Neighborhood Park
Minneapolis wants more equity in its parks spending—and new plans are a key step in the process of delivering more equitable results.

The Deliberate Segregation of U.S. Cities, as Evidenced by Freeway Congestion
A thorough and damning indictment of 20th century land use and infrastructure planning, and its contemporary legacy of segregation and congestion.

State Law Allows for Local Reform of the Washington State Environmental Policy Act
Reform of the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) is underway at the local level after a new state bill offered "safe harbor" under the law for a menu of land use and development reforms.

UrbanPlan Program Aims to Inspire a More Diverse Generation of Planners
An Urban Land Institute program brings students into the discussion and gives them the tools to make a difference in the planning processes that define their communities.

Los Angeles County Sets 2050 Carbon Neutrality Target
Land use and transportation planning will play key roles in an effort by Los Angeles County to achieve carbon neutrality in 30 years.

Too Often, Children Are Forgotten by Transportation Planning
Kids need to go places just as adults do, and they have needs many adults don’t have.

Level of Service Canceled in Los Angeles
The Los Angeles City Council voted to officially end the use of Level of Service in measuring environmental impact in favor of a more people-friendly measure: vehicle miles traveled.

Uniform By Design: The Similarities of Suburbs
A Vox video digs into the history of how suburbs came to resemble each other.

Development vs. Open Space at a Denver Golf Course
A developer just bought a Denver-area golf course in the hopes of some day rezoning the site for residential and commercial development. Open space advocates have other ideas, as does the city (for now).

Maurice Cox Departs Detroit to Lead Planning Chicago
The highly praised head of planning in Detroit will assume the same role in Chicago.

Can Autonomous Vehicles Absolve the Sins of 20th Century Planning?
Self-driving cars are likely to become part of the urban landscape in the future, and they have the potential to drastically alter urban environments—in good and bad ways.

Pilot Project Will Prioritize Buses on a Clogged New York Street
Judge Eileen Rakower decided New York can move forward with bus improvements that will create a temporary bus lane on 14th street.

APA Lists Recommendations for State Housing Policy
In attendance this week at the National Conference of State Legislatures, the American Planning Association has announced its intentions to lobby attendees on housing policy.
Pagination
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.
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
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