Government / Politics

Los Angeles Homeless

The Battle for Public Space: Business Owners vs. Homeless Residents

The role of business improvement districts in criminalizing homelessness reflects a tension between private interests and public space, Rob Waters writes.

March 18, 2019 - Next City

Los Angeles River

Concrete’s Contribution to the Rise and Decline of Civilization

As the world becomes more encased in concrete, the detrimental effects of its widespread use are increasing in scale and severity.

March 17, 2019 - The Guardian

San Francisco Sprawl

Amendments to Sen. Wiener's 'More HOMES Act' Address Jobs-Housing Balance

"Jobs-rich area," a new term that targets some suburban regions, is among amendments added March 11 to Senate Bill 50, the reincarnation of Wiener's controversial SB 827 housing bill that died last year.

March 16, 2019 - San Francisco Examiner

Madrid Pedestrian Street

Car Ban in Madrid Boosted Retail Sales, Study Shows

An analysis of retail data suggests that vehicle restrictions in the city center led to more sales and less emissions.

March 16, 2019 - Forbes

Jersey Shore

11.6 Percent Tax on Short-Term Rentals Creating Summer Tourism Concerns

A new tax on short-term rentals went into effect in New Jersey in October, so it hasn't had a chance to impact the summer tourism on the Jersey Shore yet.

March 14, 2019 - The New York Times

Highway 65 Construction

Proposed Gas Tax Hike Exposes Minnesota's Road Subsidy

After Minnesota's new Democratic Gov. Tim Walz proposed a 20-cents gas tax hike over two years, even leaders in his own party were caught off-guard, but one-third of the tax increase will replace the diversion of general funds to roads.

March 14, 2019 - Minnesota Public Radio News

San Francisco Coast

Housing Threats Dialed Down in California

California's new governor is giving local governments more time to comply with state-mandated housing targets.

March 14, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

Philadelphia

'Councilmanic Prerogative' Hindering Development in Philadelphia

The legislative quid pro quo is being used by members of the city council for the wrong reasons, leaving neighborhoods throughout the city in limbo.

March 14, 2019 - The Inquirer / Philly.com

San Bruno, California

Managed Lanes Coming to the San Francisco Peninsula

State and county officials gathered on Friday to celebrate the start of a $514 million project to convert carpool lanes to express lanes and connect auxiliary lanes to make for a lane addition. The 32-mile project on Highway 101 opens in 2022.

March 13, 2019 - San Mateo Daily Journal

Public Meeting

Study Examines the Benefits of Online Reviews to Planning Research

Online reviews aren't representative of overall neighborhood populations, but they can reveal data that otherwise might go unnoticed during research phases of planning processes.

March 13, 2019 - PhysOrg

New York City Subway

Another Transit Funding Fix Proposed in New York: a Non-Resident Luxury Apartment Tax

One way, or another, wealthy New Yorkers are probably going to end up contributing to the financial end of the equation for solutions to New York's public transit woes.

March 12, 2019 - Bloomberg

President Donald Trump

Trump's Budget Would Cut Funding for HUD, Transportation, EPA, More

Presidential budgets usually arrive with zero chance of being adopted without changes, but still important to consider as a reflection of the Executive Branch's priorities.

March 11, 2019 - The Washington Post

Electric Charging Stations

U.S. Risks Becoming Backwater for Electric Vehicle Sales

Auto analyst John Voelcker discusses the electric vehicle market in the U.S. on NPR. Ominous clouds belie the excellent sales figures for last year, and policies pushed by Trump only ensure that motor vehicles will continue to gulp more gasoline.

March 11, 2019 - NPR

California

Legislation Introduced to Enable the Bay Area to Tackle Housing Crisis as a Region

A new bill would grant the Housing Alliance for the Bay Area taxing authority to raise revenue in the nine-county region to find solutions to the housing crisis. Another bill would reduce the voter threshold below two-thirds for eligible taxes.

March 11, 2019 - KQED News

Car Production Line

Auto Industry Reluctant to Support Trump Plan to Freeze Fuel Economy Standards

The auto industry appears to be balking at supporting the Trump administration's plan to freeze vehicle emission standards at 2020 levels even though they initially asked Trump to loosen the rigorous Obama-era fuel efficiency rule that goes to 2026.

March 10, 2019 - The Washington Post

Twin Cities

Neighborhoods 2020: Details on Minneapolis' Next Big Planning Effort

Minneapolis wants to diversify its neighborhood organizations, racially and economically. The Neighborhoods 2020 plan would require those organizations to meet diversity standards.

March 10, 2019 - MinnPost

Singapore Electric Bus

Trial Run of Driverless Buses Set to Start in Singapore

Singapore has ambitious plans for an autonomous public transportation system. New full-sized buses and an upcoming trial run will put the country closer to its goals.

March 9, 2019 - Bloomberg

Did Uber Just Get Away With Manslaughter?

Remember Elaine Herzberg, the 49-year-old woman who became the first pedestrian fatality due to an autonomous vehicle when she was hit last March by an Uber with a safety driver in Tempe, Ariz.? Prosecutors found no criminal liability.

March 8, 2019 - The New York Times

Downtown Boston

Spatial Mismatch's Far-Reaching Effects

When workers can't afford to live near jobs, the results are more than just housing cost burdens.

March 8, 2019 - Pacific Standard

Wisconsin State Capital

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers Proposes Gas Tax Hike

The eight-cents-per-gallon gas tax increase is one of several measures in the Democrat governor's first budget that marks a major departure from the the tenure of former Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

March 8, 2019 - Wisconsin Public Radio

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.