Pennsylvania

Empty hallway lined with white tile in subway station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

How Does Air Quality in a Philly Subway Station Compare to the Outdoors?

A team of researchers found much higher levels of particulate matter inside the City Hall subway station than on the street-level sidewalks directly above the station.

October 9, 2024 - The Conversation

Aerial view of dense South Side Flats neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA with Orthodox church spires in foreground.

Pittsburgh Mayor Proposes Zoning Changes to Curb Housing Shortage

The mayor’s plan includes legalizing ADUs in single-family neighborhoods, eliminating parking requirements, and adding new affordability requirements to buildings with over 20 units.

October 3, 2024 - Next Pittsburgh

Google street view of Montgomery Avenue Bridge, Philadelphia under construction.

Philadelphia Completes First Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Project

City officials cut the ribbon on a major bridge reconstruction.

September 26, 2024 - City & State

View of Three Mile Island nuclear power plant with four reactor towers on a sunny day.

Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant Could Power Microsoft Data Centers

The proposal to restart one unit of the infamous plant, which suffered a partial meltdown in 1979, still requires federal, state, and local approvals.

September 24, 2024 - Reuters

Bird's eye view of single-family homes in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Can Zoning Reform Save Pittsburgh’s Affordable Housing?

With home sale prices growing faster than anywhere in the country, the Steel City could enact major reforms to boost density and lower housing costs.

September 19, 2024 - Benzinga

Woman rides a bike in green painted bike lane in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Could Start Citing Drivers for Blocking Bike Lanes

City officials will consider several road safety bills that include higher penalties for stopping in bike lanes and an assessment of the city’s Vision Zero funding.

September 11, 2024 - Philly Voice

Close-up of white traffic enforcement camera mounted on concrete pole against blue sky.

Philly Speed Camera Program Cuts Fatalities in Half

Excessive speeding along dangerous segments of Roosevelt Boulevard dropped by 90 percent after the city installed automated enforcement cameras.

September 4, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

White city bus on road in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with tall city buildings in background.

Pennsylvania Adopts State Transportation Plan

The plan addresses roads, transit, and other transportation infrastructure over the next 12 years.

August 18, 2024 - Roads & Bridges

Tent City Bay Area

The Fight Continues Against Criminalization of Homelessness

Though disappointed in the Supreme Court’s ruling allowing sleeping bans, homeless advocates are energized and organizing around other solutions.

August 13, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

Train passing through a snowy landscape.

Midwest Connect Train Project Moves Ahead

The proposed rail line would connect Chicago to Pittsburgh.

August 6, 2024 - Highland County Press

A bus stop in Philadelphia, where people wait under a glass shelter for a bus as it arrives.

SEPTA Faces Service Cuts

Philadelphia wants its city workers back in the office, but getting there may be a challenge.

August 5, 2024 - Governing

Philadelphia Bike Lane

Philly Road Safety Advocates Call for Action From the City

Mayor Parker’s administration is proposing massive cuts to the city’s Vision Zero program while pedestrian and cyclist deaths remain high.

July 29, 2024 - Billy Penn

Aerial view of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with statues.

Philadelphia: An Urban Planner's Guide to the City

One of the nation’s oldest cities, Philadelphia boasts a rich history and a walkable, compact central grid built around public plazas.

July 25, 2024 - Planetizen

Intersection in Pittsburgh, PA with pedestrian bumpouts and delineators.

Pittsburgh Improves Road Safety With ‘Quick-Build’ Solutions

The city’s efforts to reduce crashes through traffic calming and crosswalk improvements is yielding positive results.

July 24, 2024 - Pittsburgh Union Progress

View of downtown Pittsburgh, PA with colorful fall trees in foreground.

Pittsburgh Nonprofit Awarded $200K for Urban Trees

The USDA grant is focused on providing disease-resistant fruit trees to local residents.

July 16, 2024 - Lancaster Farming

Close-up of red car parked and plugged in at EV charging station with row of cars behind it.

Pennsylvania Replaces Alternative Fuels Tax With Flat EV Fee

Electric car owners will pay a flat annual fee that lawmakers say will be ‘tied to economic conditions.’

July 14, 2024 - Pennsylvania Senate Republicans

View of three-lane Roosevelt Boulevard with green Roosevelt Expressway road sign in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia’s Speed Cameras Are Working

Speeding violations plummeted after automated enforcement cameras were installed along Roosevelt Boulevard.

July 9, 2024 - Next City

Aerial view of green rural community with houses in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Launches Rural Revitalization Commission

While U.S. rural communities gained in population overall, the growth came largely in the South.

June 26, 2024 - The Daily Yonder

Green parking-protected bike lane in Philadelphia with old church in background

Philly Mayor Proposes Major Cuts to Vision Zero

Despite promises to make the city’s roadways safer for pedestrians and cyclists, the proposed budget slashes Vision Zero funding nearly in half.

May 15, 2024 - MSN

Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh Regional Transit Launches First Ever Climate Action Plan

In addition to reducing emissions, the agency officials hope the climate action plan will help increase ridership and boost their competitiveness when applying for federal transit funding.

May 8, 2024 - WESA

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.