United States

An aerial view of a lock and dam between two waterways with miles of marshes into the background of the image.

New Plan for Lake Okeechobee Targets Toxic Algae

The new Everglades strategy marks a “cultural shift” for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: rather than focusing primarily on flood control, the new plan seeks to balance the needs of the entire watershed, including limiting the spread of toxic algae.

August 28, 2024 - Inside Climate News

Three-story tan motel building with tall palm tree in the background

Oregon Motel Converted into Housing for People Transitioning from Incarceration

Klamath County, Oregon, has converted an old motel and RV park into a sober-supportive housing complex for justice-involved persons — the first of its kind in the state.

August 27, 2024 - Klamath Falls Herald and News

A long pedestrian bridge over a river in the High Falls District with skyline of Rochester, New York, in the backround.

Book Excerpt: Rochester, New York’s Forgotten Subway

Did you know Rochester, New York, once had a subway? This book excerpt tells the story, complete with a custom map, of the only city in the world to build a subway and then close it.

August 27, 2024 - Jake Berman

Flooding

US Department of Energy Announces 10 New Climate Resilience Centers

The Biden administration has awarded $10 million for an additional 10 climate resilience centers as part of the Justice40 Initiative.

August 27, 2024 - Utility Dive

NJ Transit

New Jersey to Cash in $2.4 Billion of Transportation Bonds

The $2.4 billion in New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority bonds will fund infrastructure upgrades, including potential improvements for NJ Transit, which has had a summer of service disruptions, fare and tax hikes, and budget woes.

August 27, 2024 - New Jersey Monitor

Red Light Camera

When States Hinder Local Efforts to Cut Down on Cars

Reducing car dependency is a vital climate goal. Many U.S. cities want to shift trips to other modes, but they're often held back by state governments.

August 27, 2024 - Yale Climate Connections

Multistory apartment building under construction.

Apartment Construction to Break Record in 2024: Which US Cities Will See the Most?

RentCafe predicts new apartment construction will peak in 2024 at 518,108 units before dropping to a 10-year low over the next few years.

August 27, 2024 - Multifamily Dive

Close-up of green and white sign for 1 hour EV charging station outdoors with tall palm trees in background against blue sky.

Feds Allocate $150 Million to Fix and Upgrade EV Charging Ports

Funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility grant program will help advance the Biden Administration’s goal to have 500,000 public EV chargers in operation by 2030.

August 26, 2024 - Electrek

View of large black SUV from behind with blurred small child on bicycle wearing helmet riding in front of car

Congress Introduces Bill to Limit Size of SUVs and Trucks

Lawmakers want the federal government to set standards for vehicle height and visibility to combat the sharp rise in pedestrian deaths over the past decade.

August 26, 2024 - NPR

Close-up of mobile phone with Airbnb and VRBO app icons.

Judge: Airbnb Can Be Held Liable for Shooting Death at Illegal Short-Term Rental

Elhania v. Airbnb, Inc. will be the first case in the U.S. to hold Airbnb responsible for a shooting death that happened at a home rented through the platform, because the short-term rental violated local laws designed to protect from that type of harm.

August 26, 2024 - ACCESSWIRE

Three-story wood-frame apartment buildings under construction

Democrats Embrace YIMBY Ideas

Vice President Harris’s housing platform is shaping up to include some long-awaited support for pro-density policies and zoning reform.

August 25, 2024 - Bloomberg CityLab

Female Coach In Water Giving Group Of Children Swimming Lesson In Indoor Pool.

Public Pools: A Threatened Amenity?

Municipal pools offer important benefits to urban residents, but some cities are struggling to keep them open.

August 23, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

White prison transport bus passing in front of heavily fortified prison fence with barbed wire.

Podcast: How the Housing Crisis Impacts People With Criminal Records

People with criminal convictions are 10 times as likely to become homeless as others. Small policy shifts could change that.

August 22, 2024 - Next City

Image of cars driving on multi-lane road with graphics indicating the vehicles are communicating with each other.

Federal Plan Outlines Deployment of ‘Vehicle-to-Everything’ Tech

The technology known as V2X could prevent crashes and save lives by allowing vehicles to communicate with each other and road infrastructure.

August 22, 2024 - NPR

Green Peter Pan intercity bus parked at station in Hartford, Connecticut.

Northeast Corridor Megabus Routes to be Served by Peter Pan Bus Lines

The operator is taking over intercity routes in the Northeast after Megabus owner Coach USA’s June bankruptcy.

August 21, 2024 - Source of the Spring

A historic color-coded HOLC map of Milwalkee with sections in red, yellow, and blue.

Putting the Myth of the Redlining Maps to Rest

Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) maps have long been blamed for racial inequities in today’s Black neighborhoods, but recent research shows that’s misleading.

August 21, 2024 - Alan Mallach

Construction site of offshore wind farm near the Dutch coast.

US Offshore Wind Industry Gains Momentum

Federal support for offshore wind projects is helping the industry grow, with nine projects approved so far this year.

August 20, 2024 - Sierra

Intake towers for Hoover Dam in Lake Mead.

Western States Face New Round of Water Cuts

In Nevada, efforts to conserve water include a ban on ornamental grass and regulations on swimming pool sizes.

August 19, 2024 - Nevada Current

Group of children looking down at map.

Building Healthier Communities: The Role of GIS in Park Planning

Integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) into park planning enhances community health by promoting physical activity, supporting mental well-being, fostering social connectedness, and addressing public health crises and climate change.

August 19, 2024 - Esri Blog

Hands holding up climate change protest signs against blue sky.

Language Matters: “Climate Change” Generates More Concern Than “Climate Crisis”

A recent study found that the terms “climate change” and “global warming” are more familiar and generate greater public concern than less recognized terms like “climate crisis” and “climate justice.”

August 19, 2024 - University Of Southern California

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.