New research reveals that some coastal areas are sinking by as much as 5 millimeters per year, which could threaten key infrastructure.

A new study highlights the urgency of restructuring East Coast infrastructure, showing that cities on the Atlantic are sinking by as much as 5 millimeters per year. “Global warming is causing a rise in sea levels, meaning coastal areas are particularly at risk,” explains Robyn White in Newsweek.
While entire areas are unlikely to sink into the ocean, sea level rise threatens infrastructure near the coast. “For example, significant areas of critical infrastructure in New York, including JFK and LaGuardia airports and its runways, along with the railway systems, are affected by subsidence rates exceeding 2 mm per year,” explains Leonard Ohenhen, lead author of the study.
Sea level rise and subsidence is already impacting U.S. infrastructure. On the West Coast, a key Southern California rail corridor was shut down on and off for months as a result of coastal erosion. In Northern California, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) completed its first-ever road relocation project in November of last year.
FULL STORY: US Cities Sinking on the East Coast, Threatening Critical Infrastructure

New Florida Law Curbs HOA Power
The legislation seeks to cut down on ‘absurd’ citations for low-level violations.

New Tennessee Law Allows No-Cost Incentives for Affordable Housing
Local governments in the Volunteer State can now offer developers incentives like increased density, lower parking requirements, and priority permitting for affordable housing projects.

Planners’ Complicity in Excessive Traffic Deaths
Professor Wes Marshall’s provocatively-titled new book, "Killed by a Traffic Engineer," has stimulated fierce debates. Are his criticisms justified? Let’s examine the degree that traffic engineers contribute to avoidable traffic deaths.

Study: Housing Crisis is About Affordability, not Supply
New research shows that there is no overall shortage of housing units, but all U.S. metropolitan areas face a severe lack of affordable units for low-income renters.

Are Race-Based Lawsuits Affecting Community Lenders?
Shelterforce spoke with community lending leaders and experts about the current mood across the sector. What, if anything, are organizations doing to avoid becoming the next target of conservative activists?

New Park Promotes Community and Connectivity in Lewisville, Texas
The city of Lewisville just celebrated the opening of Glory Park/Parque la Gloria, helping to improve park access and the quality of life for residents.
City of Madera
City of Santa Clarita
Borough of Carlisle
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Colorado Energy Office
Pima County Community College District
City of Piedmont, CA
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.