Wisconsin

Green trees, some with fall colors, line a walkway in front of the Wisconsin state capitol dome in Madison, WI.

How Madison’s Tree Planting Efforts Are Growing a Healthier Community

Madison’s annual tree planting initiative is enhancing environmental resilience, public health, and community livability by adding 1,400 carefully selected trees citywide, with strong community and institutional support for urban forestry.

April 10, 2025 - The Badger Herald

Close-up on pedestrian crosswalk light in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin with historic building with steeple visible in background.

Milwaukee Announces 60 Traffic Calming Projects for 2025

The city has successfully reduced traffic deaths and aims to eliminate them completely within the next decade.

March 23, 2025 - Urban Milwaukee

Blue Connect 1 bus at nighttime in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Wisconsin Governor Opens Window for Regional Transit Authority

The proposed state budget includes a provision that allows local governments to establish a dedicated transit tax.

March 17, 2025 - Urban Milwaukee

Aerial view of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin at sunset

A Decade of Progress on Homelessness in Milwaukee County

Unlike most U.S. communities, Milwaukee County has managed to make significant progress toward assisting unhoused residents through a Housing First approach.

February 27, 2025 - Governing

Close-up of red painted Bus Only lane.

Madison BRT a Midwest Rarity

Despite the benefits, just three Midwestern cities have bus rapid transit lines.

January 23, 2025 - Streetsblog Chicago

Milwaukee, Wisconsin city hall at night in winter.

Milwaukee Homelessness Dropped in 2024

Bucking national trends, Milwaukee reduced homelessness in 2024 through Housing First policies and supportive services, but local advocates warn high housing costs will likely lead to an increase in the unhoused population in the coming year.

January 9, 2025 - Wisconsin Public Radio

Interstate 794 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Interstate Removal Would Create Space for Thousands of New Housing Units

A proposal to replace the elevated Interstate 794 with a boulevard could create over a billion dollars in new development along the corridor.

December 2, 2024 - Urban Milwaukee

Elevated freeway being demolished in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Bridging Divides: The Crucial Role of Collaboration in Highway Removal

Highway removal is most successful when agencies at all levels of government work closely with each other and the impacted community.

November 17, 2024 - Morgan Florsheim

Red Amtrak Borealis train in St. Paul Union Station depot.

Amtrak Borealis Line Celebrates 100,000 Passengers

The St. Paul-to-Chicago train served more than 22,000 passengers in August.

October 28, 2024 - Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Bike lane in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Road Safety Efforts Paying Off

The city is seeing fewer speeding violations after installing traffic calming measures and boosting enforcement to limit reckless driving.

October 17, 2024 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Blue Milwaukee public transit bus.

Postponed Milwaukee BRT Project at Least a Decade Away

The county’s transit system won’t pursue a second rapid bus line due to financial constraints.

September 18, 2024 - Urban Milwaukee

Interstate 94 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Environmental Groups Sue to Stop Freeway Expansion

Groups including the Sierra Club say the expansion of I-94 would negatively impact communities of color and increase flood risks.

August 21, 2024 - Fox 6 Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin skyline with houses in foreground.

‘Growing MKE’ Zoning Reform Plan Would Expand Milwaukee Housing Options

Proponents of the plan say the changes would help reverse decades of discriminatory housing policies.

July 30, 2024 - Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Aerial view of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin with Quadracci Pavilion on waterfront in foreground.

Milwaukee Could Impose Owner Occupancy Rules on Short-Term Rentals

The city could tighten regulations on short-term rentals, many of which remain unregistered despite rules requiring permits.

July 26, 2024 - Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Street view of Sherman Blvd in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with landscaped median in middle of four-lane road.

Milwaukee to Install New 5.5-Mile Bike Lane

The project is part of a pledge to build 50 miles of new bike lanes by 2026.

July 2, 2024 - Urban Milwaukee

Amtrak train at Union Station with Chicago skyline in background.

St. Paul-to-Chicago Borealis Rail Line Launches

The Amtrak service, 12 years in the making, doubles the number of available trips on the corridor.

June 13, 2024 - Route Fifty

Ornate, tan stone capitol building with a gold dome roof and low-rise city buildings in the background.

States Are Banning Guaranteed Income Programs

Four states now have laws in place that prevent cities and counties from creating or continuing guaranteed income programs, and several more have tried or are trying.

May 23, 2024 - Bloomberg CityLab

Aerial view of homes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with brick university buildings in distance.

A Look at Milwaukee’s Proposed Zoning Reform

The proposed changes would permit more flexible housing development while limiting changes in historic neighborhoods and on smaller streets.

May 10, 2024 - Urban Milwaukee

Aerial view of Milwaukee, Wisconsin skyline with freeway interchanges in foreground at night.

Milwaukee Residents Challenge Freeway Expansion

Residents are voicing opposition to a planned expansion of Interstate 94, arguing that the project would eliminate the limited green space in the neighborhood.

March 28, 2024 - Spectrum News 1

Aerial view of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin at sunset

Milwaukee Considers Zoning Reform

The city is looking for ways to boost housing production, anticipating a growing population.

March 17, 2024 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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.