Technology

Nextdoor Looking to Expands its Influence on Local Politics
A decade into its history, the hyperlocal social media site Nextdoor is looking for feedback and hoping to expand its reach before the 2018 and 2020 elections.

A New Earthquake Warning System for the Pacific Northwest
Oregon and Washington are implementing sensors that can detect and report an earthquake to communities with as much as a minute or two of warning.

Can Public Transit Run on Solar Power?
California's Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) has recently been exploring ways to power its system using renewable energy sources, but is it really possible to power one of the state's "top 10 power consumers" with alternative energy?

A Few Ideas for Planning and Governance in the Digital Age
The Guardian samples prominent examples of digital natives bringing new expectations for the use of technology to the public sector.

Sent A Strong Message, Los Angeles Leaders Respond With Planning Reforms
In the aftermath of the Measure S vote, members of the Los Angeles City Council have responded by pushing for expediting community plan updates and finding a sustainable source of funding for updating the region's plans.

Gov. Jerry Brown and State Democratic Leaders Agree on Gas Tax Deal
Revised transportation funding legislation is needed to meet California's ballooning infrastructure deficit, but it needs a supermajority to pass, and it contains a fatal flaw for clean air activists.

Can Silicon Valley Work for Bikes?
America's tech capital might be great at innovation, but innovation in bike transportation hasn't been a priority. Perhaps that's starting to change.

The Good and the Bad of Planning Websites
Students review municipal planning department websites in cities with more than 50,000 people to identify strengths and weaknesses. This post shares examples of the use of websites for information sharing and engagement.

Study: Uber and Lyft Clog Roads, Steal Transit Riders
The findings of a recent study reveals the effects of transportation network companies to be the enemy of all forms of alternative transportation—far from the urban savior some hope they'll be.

FresYes: How Fresno Fueled and Funded a Comeback
Recently termed-out Mayor Ashley Swearengin sits down for an exclusive interview about how she planned for high speed rail investments, championed sustainable water management, and took steps to rebuild the local economy.

Infrastructure for Distracted Pedestrians: Streetlights in the Ground
Responses to the new pedestrian infrastructure in Bodegraven are likely to say these crosswalk signals in the ground are victim-blaming or Millennial-coddling.

Can Rideshare Catch On Where It's Easy to Drive?
In medium-sized cities and suburban areas, it's simply easier to drive your own car in most cases. But shared rides might still have a chance to catch on.

Could Algorithms Best Architects in Designing Variety for the Suburbs?
What if an algorithm could meet the needs of the economic system driving suburban housing development while also designing more diverse building types? One architect has already experimented with this provocative thought experiment.

Artist Creates 'Trap' For Self-Driving Cars
As an act of resistance, artist James Bridle used salt to draw a set of lines on a road that would, in theory, hold an autonomous vehicle in place.

A Better Way to Compare Cities
An online tool released three weeks ago by the Chicago Federal Reserve allows a more nuanced comparison between peer cities.

SXSW Attendees Troubled by Austin's Lack of Uber
What happens when SXSW stops being polite, and starts getting real?

Airbnb Boosts Outreach to Landlords
What drivers are to rideshare companies, landlords are to Airbnb. In response to complaints, the company is upping outreach to its hosts.
AI, Machine Learning Coming to the Property Management Business
A new era of rental property management technology will have effects on both the landlord and the tenant side of the equation.

Ann Arbor's Futuristic Traffic Software
The networked sensors and signals in Ann Arbor give the city a coordinated way to respond to traffic.

The Wisdom of Engaging Nervous Cyclists
It was clear to the City of Toronto that engaging less confident cyclists that make up 60% of the population, yet seldom come to community meetings, might be the key to dramatic mode shifts in the city. Here's how it happened.
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.
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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