United States

Census: U.S. Population Growing Slower Than Any Point Since the Nation's Founding
The pandemic has added increased mortality to decreasing birth rates and decreasing international immigration.

Reimagining Homelessness and Mental Health: 'Radical Hospitality' in Trieste, Italy
Kerry Morrison, founder of Heart Forward LA, shares her journey researching the “failures” of the U.S. mental health system, and what L.A. could learn about radical hospitality from a city with a robust community-based approach—Trieste, Italy.

Federal Memo 'Gently' Discourages Highway Construction
The Federal Highway Administration is urging states to prioritize climate-friendly projects and put federal funds toward repairs and active transportation infrastructure.

Biden's New Tailpipe Emissions Rule Resets to Obama Administration Standards
The Biden administration finalized greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks that almost fully erased changes by the Trump administration that, in turn, erased a rule finalized by the Obama administration.

Year in Review: Urban Planning in 2021
Part one of two of Planetizen's review of 2021—re-assessing failed predictions and daylighting the biggest planning stories of the year.

What States Can Learn From the Success of Maine's Downeaster Train
As Amtrak gears up to plan expansion projects supported by new federal funding, states can take some advocacy lessons from Maine's popular Downeaster train.

U.S. Supreme Court Upholds New York State Vaccine Mandate
Health care workers in New York will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 after the Supreme Court voted 6-3 to reject hearing an appeal brought by workers who had sought a religious exemption. Also, an update on the federal vaccine mandate.

How Rail Transit Ridership Changed During the Pandemic
Almost all heavy rail transit stations lost riders in 2020, but some stations lost far fewer riders than others. The data reveals lessons for transit planning beyond the end of the pandemic (whenever that happens).

Place-Based Initiatives Would Win Big With Build Back Better Act
The Build Back Better legislation could bring much-needed support to place-based economic development programs.

The Pandemic Housing Market Is Not Like the Great Recession’s
The pandemic housing market may be a different beast from the recession market, but the outcomes could be eerily similar.

Fact Sheet: What Is a Housing Unit? What Are Group Quarters?
Most people live in housing units. But what counts as a housing unit? This article clarifies the basic concepts and provides examples using the Census Bureau’s guidelines. A clear definition is prerequisite for understanding an area's housing stock.

Friday Funny? Cartoon Lampoons the Growing Size of Trucks and SUVs
The Nib takes on the latest trend in car culture: massive vehicles.

The Impact of Amazon Warehouses on Communities
Often located in low-income communities of color, Amazon's warehouses contribute to public health impacts like poor air quality, noise pollution, and traffic congestion.

'A Tidal Wave of Omicron Coming'
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson sounded an alarm on the public health threat posed by the Omicron variant. On Monday, he announced that a British resident had become the first person in the world whose death is tied to the new variant.

How Federal Funds Can Benefit Freeway Removal Projects
The recently passed infrastructure bill dedicates $1 billion to freeway removal and capping, but the sum is only a 'first step' toward redressing the injustices perpetuated by urban highway projects.

How Inadequate Transit Harms College Students
A lack of access to affordable and reliable transit is being cited as a major reason why many college students don't finish school.

New Research on the Disparate Impacts of Air Pollution in the U.S.
Researchers at the University of Washington published a new study of the disparate impacts of air pollution in the United States

Biden Administration Plans for 500,000 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
The Biden administration this week took ambitious steps toward a new era of automobile transportation in the United States.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Will Finally Make Carmakers Consider Pedestrian Safety
Pedestrian safety ratings for cars, drunk driving detection tech, and better headlights—these are just a handful of the automobile safety improvements that will benefit pedestrians as a result of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Opinion: Upzoning Isn't Just for Major Streets
The practice of limiting high-density development to busy arterial streets puts renters and low-income households at higher risk for the effects of air and noise pollution created on major roads.
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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.
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