United States

136 Million Rides and Counting: E-Scooter, Shared Bikes Gaining Riders Until the Pandemic Hit
New data from National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) shows the number of rides on electric scooters and shared bikes rising by 60 percent between 2018 and 2019.

Beyond Complete Streets: Could COVID-19 Help Transform Thoroughfares Into Places for People?
Key considerations for those with a vision to make change on city streets.

Landlords Offering New Concessions to Renters
In the midst of a historic eviction crisis, renters with the privilege of affording rent suddenly have the leverage for concessions from landlords, like free parking and other perks .

A New Study Measures Extreme Heat's Human Impact, Flags At-Risk States
Heatwaves are the leading cause of deaths related to weather. A new study seeks to understand the impact of heatwaves and extreme heat exposure on humans and the cities in which they live.

The Most Cited Planning Researchers
Using Google Scholar Citation Profiles, Virginia Tech Planning Professor Tom Sanchez has created a database of planning research citations.

Has the Lack of Access to Parks Driven Up COVID-19 Infection Rates in Black and Latino Communities?
Experts indicate that it is too soon to conclude that the lack of access to parks has contributed to higher coronavirus infection rates in Black and Latino communities, but say there is likely a relationship between the two.

Traffic Fatalities Increase Dramatically in 2020
Despite a huge drop in vehicle miles traveled, there have been more traffic fatalities in the first six months of 2020 than the same period in 2019.

The Onion: SUV Drivers Buy Into 'Them Versus Us' Mentality at All Costs
The headline of the latest foray of The Onion into the tragic world of traffic safety: "Conscientious SUV Shopper Just Wants Something That Will Kill Family In Other Car In Case Of Accident".

Policing, Segregation, and Causation vs. Correlation
Racial disparities in police killings increase with segregation. Does this mean segregation causes racialized police violence?

Home Valuation Needs to Consider the Risk of Climate Change
Climate change-fueled sea-level rise could cause a housing crisis of a new sort if the federal government doesn't reconsider valuation policies.

Opinion: How to Protect Cities From a Private Development 'Feeding Frenzy'
A New York city councilmember, trained in urban planning, presents ideas for protecting tenants and small businesses in the ongoing economic downturn.

Interior Architects and Designers Decide the Fate of the Traditional Office Space
Coronavirus-mitigating design interventions make their debut indoors as interior architects and designers ponder the possibilities for traditional office spaces.

Neighborhood Homes Investment Act Picks Up Momentum
A proposed tax credit designed to stabilize single-family neighborhoods facing growing numbers of vacancies is making its way through Congress.

Coronavirus Wastewater Testing Yields Positive Results at Universities
Wastewater testing is being hailed as a success at the University of Arizona, credited for stopping a COVID outbreak. In Utah, wastewater analysis forced almost 300 students to quarantine for four days while awaiting their test results.

Eviction is Not the Answer
The Eviction Lab at Princeton University is using data to tell the story of thousands of tenant evictions. Matthew Desmond, the Lab's director, shares stories of tenants and insights about the compounding danger of mass evictions and COVID-19.

The Outdated Models That Continue to Guide Transportation Planning
Transportation demand models offer predictions that are used to make important decisions, but their accuracy is questionable. The real issue, however, might be about the goals of planning and how urban life and livability are quantified.

'The City' Documents Formative Planning Advocacy on Film
Streaming on YouTube, the 1939 film "The City" is a powerful cinematic account of advocating for planned communities.

Wildfire Smoke Affecting Communities Across the Country
Wildfires in California and Colorado are spewing out smoke that is traveling to other parts of the country. The health effects of the dirty air are substantial, and they could last long after the fires are out.

Addressing Equity by Strategically Planting Millions of Trees
As part of the Trillion Trees Initiative, cities across the country are pledging to plant trees and restore urban forests to fight climate change and cool off disadvantaged communities.

Census Undercount Will Have Long-Lasting Repercussions
An undercount is likely this year, particularly in communities that are traditionally underrepresented. As a result, cities will not have access to crucial federal funds over the next decade.
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