Government / Politics

Paris Aerial

What California Can Learn from France About Tackling a Housing Crisis

As California continues to grapple with staggering housing issues, France's experience offers lessons about the kinds of housing policies and strategies that work.

January 6, 2020 - San Francisco Chronicle

Charlotte, NC

Understanding North Carolina's Urban-Rural Divide

North Carolina cities are thriving, but rural counties are not experiencing the same level of growth. Still, residents in rural areas say the numbers do not necessarily capture the whole picture.

January 6, 2020 - The Courier-Tribune

Southside Chicago

Proposed $20 Billion Chicago Megaproject Gets Reprieve

The 34-acre One Central project still faces opposition, but an extension on a federal loan application could give it a much-needed boost.

January 6, 2020 - The Real Deal

cars

Massachusetts Legislators Fear Hidden Gas Tax in Transportation and Climate Initiative

Gov. Charlie Baker (R) supports a multi-state proposal to mitigate tailpipe emissions that would increase gas prices and pay for transit projects in an $18 billion transportation bond. A bill has been introduced to ensure that doesn't happen.

January 6, 2020 - The Boston Herald

Amazon Fulfillment Center

When Amazon Brings Both Economic Optimism and Disappointment

A Kentucky town welcomed Amazon’s arrival, but the economic outcomes over the last two decades have been lackluster.

January 5, 2020 - The New York Times

Public Comment

What the Academic Literature Says About Civic Engagement

A literature review notes three big themes and challenges to emerge from a year's worth of intellectual investigation of civic engagement.

January 2, 2020 - Data-Smart City Solutions

Northern California Toll Lane

More Toll Lanes Coming to California Freeways

Solo drivers in the Golden State will have more options to escape traffic congestion on busy freeways – for a price, as transportation agencies increasing decide to convert existing carpool lanes to high-occupancy toll lanes and add new ones.

January 2, 2020 - Los Angeles Times

Globe Life Park in Arlington

Arlington Greenlights $810 Million Hotel and Convention Center Project

The public-private partnership is a massive expansion of the city’s entertainment district.

January 2, 2020 - The Dallas Morning News

Sprawl

Modest Densification, a Strategy to Alleviate the Housing Crisis?

Incremental changes to density on single-family parcels could boost the nation’s housing stock without dramatic impacts at the neighborhood level.

January 2, 2020 - Curbed

Accessory Dwelling Unit

New California Accessory Dwelling Unit Laws Take Effect Today

New state legislation will kick in at the start of the new year easing restrictions on ADUs.

January 1, 2020 - La Cañada Valley Sun

Alaska

Census 2020 Ready for Launch

In parts of Alaska, it's easier to start the Census count in January, when the ground is frozen. They'll get a head start in January.

December 31, 2019 - Associated Press via NBC Montana

New Jersey

East Coast Considers Plan to Hike Gas Prices to Mitigate Climate Change

Will a dozen East Coast states and D.C. agree to a regional plan that would likely hike gas prices through a "cap-and-invest" program to mitigate tailpipe emissions similar to what California has done for the last five years?

December 30, 2019 - The New York Times

Seattle

Lowering the Barrier to Make Public Land Available for Affordable Housing

Municipalities can help fill in a crucial piece of the affordable housing puzzle by making public land accessible for development.

December 30, 2019 - Housing Matters

Arizona Suburb

The Flip Side of Single-Family Housing

Much of the debate about housing shortages and rising housing costs focuses on single-family housing as the main culprit. But could it also be part of the solution?

December 30, 2019 - Curbed

Kansas City Bus

What Free Transit Means to Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri will be the largest U.S. city to operate a fare-free system that officials say will make transit more accessible.

December 29, 2019 - CityLab

A ferry boat returns to Seattle

Washington State to Transition to Battery Electric Ferries

Washington's largest diesel emissions polluter will transition its fleet to diesel-hybrids and then to battery-electric propulsion to comply with Gov. Inslee's emissions-reduction executive order which will also please the orcas in Puget Sound.

December 29, 2019 - Greentech Media

Arizona Sprawl

Phoenix, No Longer an Affordable Housing Haven

Fast-rising rents in Phoenix mean housing costs are out of reach for more residents, and the city is no longer considered a place where affordable housing is easy to find.

December 29, 2019 - The Mercury News

Chicago

Chicago Planning Commissioner Focuses on Disinvested Neighborhoods

A new initiative seeks to bring investment dollars to Chicago communities that for decades have suffered from the loss of wealth and population.

December 29, 2019 - Next City

Omaha Nebraska

'Extremely Blighted' Designation Spurs Investment in Nebraska Cities

Neighborhoods in Nebraska, located in areas already deemed blighted, will receive priority funding and homebuyer tax credits from the state.

December 28, 2019 - Next City

Los Angeles Streetlights

San Diego Smart City Sensors Causing Controversy

Thousands of streetlight sensors are collecting a trove of data—from traffic counts to humidity levels—and advocacy groups say the city needs to be more transparent about how the data is being used and who has access to it.

December 28, 2019 - Smart Cities Dive

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.