The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

"No right turn on red" and "Turning vehicles yield to pedestrians" sign.

The Tide is Turning on Right Turns on Red

The policy, which stems from the gas embargo of the 1970s, makes intersections more dangerous for pedestrians.

June 14 - NPR

Thick green forest on edge of lake in Louisville, Kentucky.

Louisville Begins Process to Clean Superfund Site

A public forest is home to dozens of barrels that have been leaking toxic materials for decades.

June 14 - Inside Climate News

Bike lane protected by plastic delineators on street in downtown Baltimore, Maryland.

Maryland Issues New Complete Streets Policy

Projects on roadways maintained by the state DOT will have to comply with Complete Streets requirements as part of a broader effort to reduce traffic deaths in the state.

June 14 - The Baynet

An Inyo Backcountry Trail Crew uses rock bars and other hand tools to build new trail out of rock.

American Climate Corps Echoes New Deal Programs

A new federal initiative places young workers in jobs aimed at building climate resilience, but will it avoid the mistakes of similar programs?

June 13 - High Country News

Group of people sitting in circle of chairs at counseling session.

California Lawmakers Seek to Fund Sober Housing

A 2016 law prohibits state-funded supportive housing from mandating sobriety, but supporters of a proposed bill say a new approach is needed in light of the opioid crisis.

June 13 - Governing


Gravel walkway along lake at Earvin Magic Johnson Park in Los Angeles County.

‘Parks After Dark’ Helps LA County Communities Thrive

Los Angeles County's popular Parks After Dark program continues to serve communities in need and offer multiple important benefits, as documented in a recent UCLA study.

June 13 - UCLA Newsroom

Delivery drone holding a brown paper wrapped box hoveringin air with city in background.

Utah Establishes Air Mobility Framework

The program outlines a statewide approach to delivery drones and other air transportation options.

June 13 - PR Newswire


Amtrak train at Union Station with Chicago skyline in background.

St. Paul-to-Chicago Borealis Rail Line Launches

The Amtrak service, 12 years in the making, doubles the number of available trips on the corridor.

June 13 - Route Fifty

Aerial view of intersection in New York City with yellow cabs and zebra crosswalks.

BLOG POST

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.

June 13 - Todd Litman

Three men riding recumbent bikes on paved greenway next to bayou with Houston skyline in background.

Houston Developers Question Mayor’s Stance on Pedestrian Projects

The new mayor’s reversal of road safety projects, some already underway or completed, is raising eyebrows among developers who say residents want walkable, mixed-use streets.

June 13 - Houston Chronicle

Cambridge Kendall Square skyline and MBTA red line train on Longfellow Bridge aerial view, Boston, Massachusetts MA, USA.

MBTA Budget Inadequate for Key Projects

Without additional funding, the agency is ‘barely treading water’ and could be forced to make service cuts in 2026.

June 13 - Route Fifty

Walkway at San Gabriel River Park.

From Duck Farm to Parkland

The opening of the San Gabriel River Park expands access to green spaces for residents in the San Gabriel Valley, especially for Avocado Heights and other park-poor communities in the area.

June 12 - San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Oak tree with golden hour sun coming through its leaves on a hill in the San Gabriel Mountains in Southern California.

Southern California’s Oak Trees are Under Threat

Goldspotted oak borers (GSOB) are invasive pests that are harming and killing oak trees across San Diego, Riverside, Orange, and Los Angeles counties.

June 12 - Los Angeles Times

Close-up of natural gas stove burner with blue flames.

Berkeley Voters to Decide on Building Gas Tax

The city could tax large buildings that use gas in lieu of enacting a law that would have banned gas-powered buildings altogether.

June 12 - Smart Cities Dive

Close-up of gas pump with yellow buttons and price screens.

How Transportation Costs Vary Across US Cities

A new analysis reveals how annual transportation costs compare around the country.

June 12 - yahoo! Finance

Large wood structure with bridge and people standing on it in green park in Toledo, Ohio.

Innovative Park Agencies Receive National Recognition

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) recently announced the recipients of this year’s awards for innovation in health and wellness, equity, conservation, and park design.

June 12 - National Recreation and Park Association

Line of cars at a McDonald's drive-thru at night.

St. Paul Considers Drive-Thru Restrictions

Limiting drive-thrus can make streets more dangerous for pedestrians and snarl traffic.

June 12 - Axios

Pythian Building in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Permanent Affordability That Wasn't: Lessons from the Pythian Building

A high-stakes, high-profile community land trust project once hailed as a triumph in New Orleans ended in disaster for its residents, but it’s important to draw the right lessons about why.

June 12 - Shelterforce Magazine

Soldiers and Sailors Monument in traffic circle in Indianapolis at twilight.

Indianapolis Leaders Propose Vision Zero Plan

As of now, the city lacks a dedicated funding source for pedestrian safety efforts.

June 12 - The Indianapolis Star

Coyote resting (and yawning) on top of wall covered in morning glories, Huntington Beach, Orange County, California.

California Bill Would Make Wildlife Connectivity Part of General Plans

The ‘Room to Roam Act’ would require cities and counties to consider local habitats and the impact of development on wildlife corridors and connectivity.

June 11 - Nossaman LLP

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