Government / Politics

Vancouver 2012

Vancouver Might Allow Non-Profit Housing to Skip Rezoning Application

Vancouver is considering eliminating a rezoning application, which could save non-profit developers up to two years in the city's approvals process.

January 28, 2021 - Daily Hive

C.J. Peete Public Housing, New Orleans

Opinion: Public Housing Won't Solve the Affordability Crisis

Seeking repeal of the Faircloth Amendment could be a needless distraction in the new administration's efforts to create more affordable housing, according to an article by Jenny Schuetz for the Brookings Intitution.

January 27, 2021 - Brookings Institution

Coronavirus

Outdoor Dining and Indoor Haircuts Return to California

With COVID infections plummeting, Gov. Gavin Newsom surprisingly lifted California's regional stay home order that had imposed the nation's strictest personal and business restrictions during the most deadly phase of the pandemic.

January 27, 2021 - California Department of Public Health

Detroit Motor City

Detroit's Unique Climate Challenges

As climate change intensifies, Detroit could see more devastating floods and deadlier heat waves.

January 27, 2021 - Planet Detroit

COVID-19 and Public Health

Biden: Masks, Not Vaccines, Are Best Defense in Near Term

President Joe Biden is calling on all Americans to wear masks for the next 100 days to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, issuing two executive orders that require wearing masks on federal property and in domestic and international travel.

January 26, 2021 - The Washington Post

Port of Miami

Elon Musk Wants to Dig Tunnels in America's 'Sinkhole Capital'

Musk claims the tunnels could ease traffic and "be an example to the world," but experts caution that underground work in Miami is expensive and unpredictable.

January 26, 2021 - Curbed

Coronado

Lawsuit Targets Granny Flat Law Compliance in California

A real estate group claims the city has been denying and delaying ADU permits in violation of city and state laws.

January 25, 2021 - San Diego Union-Tribune

Coronavirus

An American Lockdown

Words matter. Road safety advocates know that "crashes are not accidents." Similarly, calling coronavirus restrictions "lockdowns," fails to distinguish the severity among public health orders. On January 6, America experienced a true lockdown.

January 25, 2021 - NPR

Coronavirus

North Dakota's Mask Mandate Expires as Infections Plummet

North Dakota led the nation in COVID cases for months before Gov. Doug Burgum issued a mask mandate last November. Since then, active cases have dropped by 80 percent. The mandate was extended last month but was allowed to expire on Jan. 18.

January 24, 2021 - Grand Forks Herald

Democrats

Friday Funny: Bernie's Latest Meme, Anywhere and Everywhere

Next to the words of Inauguration poet Amanda Gorman, the most lasting impression from Inauguration Day might be an image of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

January 22, 2021 - Bernie Sits

Champs-Elysees

'The World's Most Beautiful Avenue' Getting A Green Makeover

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo approved a new plan to revitalize the Champs Élysées ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics.

January 21, 2021 - The Guardian

Newport Beach, California

Report: California's Affordable Housing Allocation Favors Wealthy Coastal Cities

A combination of factors including a lengthy appeals process and the cost of construction have led to huge disparities in the number of units allocated to each community.

January 20, 2021 - Cal Matters

San Francisco Gutter

New Rule Allows States to Bypass NEPA in Favor of State Regulations

Under certain circumstances, states can conduct environmental reviews under state rather than federal regulations.

January 20, 2021 - Progressive Railroading

Biden administration

What to Expect When You're Expecting the Biden Administration

Commemorate Inauguration Day by digging deep into the promises and potential of the Biden Administration.

January 20, 2021 - James Brasuell

Adams Morgan pedestrian zone during COVID-19 pandemic

The Slow Streets Reckoning

Slow streets programs provided a quick short-term solution and paved the way for some permanent street closures and realignments. Now, these programs are getting a second look as community groups react to the changes.

January 19, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Chicago Bike 2015 Plan

Chicago DOT Strategic Plan Update Centers Mobility Justice

The city, which has been slow to implement complete streets initiatives during the pandemic, promises closer collaboration with community groups to advance equity in transportation.

January 18, 2021 - Streetsblog Chicago

Durango, Colorado.

How Working From Home Is Changing Where We Live

Remote workers are flocking to small, amenity-rich towns in the West, changing their social and economic landscape.

January 15, 2021 - High Country News

Residential Development

More Cities Legalizing 'Granny Flats'

Accessory Dwelling Units continue to gain steam as one approach for increasing affordability, but experts caution that housing affordability requires broader solutions.

January 15, 2021 - The Washington Post

Bicycles in New York

Report: Lackluster Bike Parking Reduces Cycling and Undermines Public Safety

Widely available, secure bike parking can go a long way toward encouraging cycling and keeping New Yorkers safe, a new report says.

January 15, 2021 - StreetsBlog NYC

Social Distancing

Pandemic Update: Sea Change in Sweden

The European outlier of Sweden was embraced by American conservatives as an example of a government relying not on heavy-handed business and social restrictions but voluntary compliance by individuals to reduce viral spread. No longer.

January 14, 2021 - The Washington Post

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.