United States

New York City Traffic Cop

Reopening New York, New Jersey and Connecticut: Is May 19 Too Soon?

Coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths are dropping in the U.S. Govs. Andrew Cuomo, Phil Murphy, and Ned Lamont jointly announced on May 3 that their states would lift most restrictions on May 19. Experts and residents have mixed reactions.

May 11, 2021 - The New York Times

Texas Apartment Construction

New Developments Lower Rents in Surrounding Neighborhoods, Study Says

A study that made the rounds as a working paper at the beginning of 2019 has now been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

May 11, 2021 - The Review of Economics and Statistics

Los Angeles, California

Two Demographic Firsts, Both Losses, for California

The nation's most populous state learned from the Census Bureau last month that it would lose a congressional district for the first time in its history. On Friday, it revealed that 2020 was the first year since 1850 to experience a population loss.

May 10, 2021 - CALmatters

Midwest Flooding

Most Americans Unaware of Flood Risks, Study Finds

The lack of disclosure laws in most states has led to an overvaluation of homes located in floodplains across the country.

May 10, 2021 - Grist

Cleveland Heights

The 'Crisis of Non-Replacement' Undermining Black Neighborhoods

A new study shows a troubling reversal of fortunes in many middle-class Black neighborhoods.

May 10, 2021 - Governing

Bureau of Land Management

Can the U.S. Preserve 30 Percent of its Lands and Waters?

The Biden administration released its preliminary report on a plan to conserve 30 percent of the nation's lands and waters by 2030, one big, ambitious component of the administration's climate plans.

May 9, 2021 - The Washington Post

California

'Indirect Source Rule' Would Clean Up Warehouses in Southern California

Dr. Joe Lyou, CEO of the Coalition for Clean Air, walks through the legal necessity of South Coast AQMD's proposed Indirect Source Rule, which aims to accelerate the transition to zero-emission technologies and fleet electrification.

May 6, 2021 - The Planning Report

Empty Road

Americans Are Moving, but Staying Close to Home

Despite fears of a mass exodus, most cities are seeing only modest population losses, with the majority of movers staying in the same metro area.

May 6, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Chicago Six-Way

A Traffic Forecasting Model for Pedestrians

A new methodology can help cities assess the impact of new developments on walkers.

May 6, 2021 - Streetsblog USA

COVID-19 Eviction Crisis

Federal Judge Tosses CDC's Eviction Moratorium

"The CDC order must be set aside," said U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich in a ruling announced Wednesday, May 5.

May 6, 2021 - Bloomberg

Racial Equity in Planning

Equity and 'Righting Past Wrongs' to Start the 2021 National Planning Conference

The American Planning Association's 2021 National Planning Conference started streaming this morning, with an obvious focus on equity and the historical role of the planning profession in perpetuating systemic racism.

May 5, 2021 - James Brasuell

Route 66 Bridge in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Towns Offering Cash to Lure Remote Workers

Smaller cities are luring newly untethered workers with cash incentives, bikes, and other local perks.

May 5, 2021 - Medium

Congress for the New Urbanism

Meet CNU's New Executive Director

The Congress for the New Urbanism has announced the hiring of Rick Cole as the its new executive director, filling a role left vacant by the departure of Lynn Richards earlier this year.

May 5, 2021 - CNU Public Square

Millennials

Separating Millennial Myths From Reality

The most-dissected generation (yet, at least) is coming of age, and it's time to reevaluate assumptions about their place in the world.

May 5, 2021 - Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University

COVID-19 Pandemic

Pandemic Endgame: Redefining the Herd Immunity Goal

So much for vaccines enabling the U.S. to achieve the cherished goal of herd immunity for COVID-19. It is becoming increasingly clear to many public health experts that likely will not happen, according to a New York Times global health reporter.

May 4, 2021 - The New York Times

Community Meeting

Why Participatory Planning Fails (and How to Fix It)

“Having participated in several of the I-70 meetings, I got to see firsthand how community input really just meant show up, complain, and we’re going to do the opposite of what you’re asking,” says one Denver councilmember.

May 4, 2021 - Next City

Construction Industry

Lumber Prices Spike; Housing Prices Follow

The cost of lumber has more than doubled in the past year, according to industry sources, adding more than $24,000 to the cost of a new home.

May 4, 2021 - The Atlantic

Dealer

Biden Administration Hits Automotive Emissions Reset Button

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has rolled back Trump administration reductions of auto emission standards enacted by the Trump administration, and is taking first steps toward a new emissions agreement with automakers.

May 3, 2021 - The Washington Post

SouthWest Transit

Senate Committee Hearing Signals Possible Shift in Federal Transit Funding

Transit advocates were pleasantly surprised to hear senators address specific questions about the 80/20 split in transportation funding, transit operations, and rural transit needs.

May 3, 2021 - Transportation for America

Brooklyn-Queens Expressway

Highway Sign Typefaces, Explained

The latest Vox explainer video tackles the eminently fascinating topic of highway sign fonts.

May 3, 2021 - Vox via YouTube

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.