The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Aerial view of marshy land at Fort Mose State Historic Park in Florida.

Florida State Park Will Pay Homage to First Free Black Settlement in US

In the late 1700s, Fort Mose was home to enslaved African people seeking freedom from the English colonies farther north along the Atlantic coast.

May 14 - The Washington Post

Line of five cyclists bike away from camera in wide protected bike lane on the right side of a street, with low-rise residential buildings in the background.

FEATURE

Book Review: Shifting Focus from Car-Free to Car-Lite Cities

Instead of aiming to make cities better for bikes, a new book argues we should be making cities better with bikes using a car-lite, not a car-free approach.

May 14 - Stephanie Rouse

Blue tent with small charcoal grill and plastic bin set up by unhoused person in snow in Portland, Oregon.

Portland Replaces Camping Ban With New Policy

Unhoused residents can sleep on public property when no shelter space is available, but still face penalties for violating new regulations or not moving into shelter if offered.

May 13 - Oregon Public Broadcasting

Art Deco Greyhound bus terminal in downtown Cleveland, Ohio.

How Disinvestment and Hedge Funds Are Dismantling the US Intercity Bus System

The most affordable form of long-distance travel is being jeopardized as riders find themselves literally kicked to the curb.

May 13 - Daily Kos

Black cow grazing in field with mountains in background in Montana.

Montana Ranchers Question Massive Solar Project

The $1.2-billion solar farm would provide power to data centers owned by Microsoft, Meta, and others.

May 13 - Cowboy State Daily


View of Potomac Yard train platform with some passengers waiting.

‘Infill Stations’ Bring Transit Closer to Residents

Building new stations along existing transit lines can significantly increase access in formerly passed-over neighborhoods.

May 13 - Bloomberg CityLab

Aerial view of homes on beach in Maui, Hawaii

Hawaii Passes First Legislation Regulating Short-Term Rentals Statewide

The new law will give counties the power to limit number or short-term rentals and convert existing short-term rental units back into long-term residential housing.

May 13 - USA Today


Rural Traffic

FEATURE

Vehicle Miles Traveled Taxes Rollout Across States

Americans are driving more miles than ever before. As vehicles become increasingly fuel efficient, states across the country are considering vehicle miles traveled taxes as an alternative to gas taxes.

May 13 - Jacob Macumber-Rosin

Row of six cyclists riding down asphalt road with large trees on side.

Twin Cities Suburbs Look to Improve Bike Facilities

Communities around Minneapolis and St. Paul are working to build more robust bike infrastructure networks.

May 13 - Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Brick path through an urban park shaded by trees with a river on the righhand side and high-rise buildings in the distance.

First Segment of Jacksonville, Fla., Emerald Trail Opens

The 33-mile trail will connect 14 neighborhoods and numerous community amenities around downtown Jacksonville.

May 13 - 104.5 WOKV

Close-up of express lane marker on Bay Area freeway.

Congestion Pricing in the San Francisco Bay Area

Planners call them “express lanes,” but make no mistake, they are congestion pricing in action, and they're successful. The Bay Area network of what the Federal Highway Administration calls “high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes” is growing.

May 12 - San Francisco Chronicle

Flooded residential street with houses, yards, and trees on each side, a yard sign that reads "high water, no outlet," and a flooded car in the distance.

Severe Flooding Calls Attention to Houston’s Home Buyout Struggles

Recent extreme flooding along the San Jacinto River has prompted a review of the progress of Harris County’s flood-prone home buyout program.

May 12 - Grist

Aerial view of Atlanta BeltlLine greenway with yellow umbrellas

Atlanta Could Ban Data Centers Along Beltline

City officials say the warehouse-style centers don’t support the Beltline overlay district’s goal to foster pedestrian-oriented development.

May 12 - Governing

Low shot of red painted bus lane on New York City street with blurred bus, pedestrians, and buildings in background.

NYC’s Vision Zero Program Saved $90 Million in Medicaid Costs

While traffic fatalities remain far above zero, the city saw fewer injuries compared to areas without Vision Zero initiatives.

May 12 - The New York Times

CTA Purple Line train

Chicago Transit Recovery Trails Behind Other Major US Cities

Sluggish ridership rates and staffing shortages are dampening recovery. Looming budget gaps could make things even worse.

May 10 - WGN9

Aerial view of homes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with brick university buildings in distance.

A Look at Milwaukee’s Proposed Zoning Reform

The proposed changes would permit more flexible housing development while limiting changes in historic neighborhoods and on smaller streets.

May 10 - Urban Milwaukee

Colorful Lauderhill Transit Center at night.

Broward County Transit Security Program Provides Services to Unhoused Riders

The agency worked with local partners to provide housing referrals and health services to homeless residents who frequent the transit system.

May 10 - Mass Transit

Rendering of pedestrian promenade in Battery Park City with Statue of Liberty visible in background.

Battery Park Resilience Project Breaks Ground

By 2027, the shoreline will be elevated by 5 feet to prevent flooding from future storm surges.

May 10 - CBS News

New York Public Transit

Suburban Politics Threaten to Derail Transit Recovery

Some of the country’s largest public transit systems are scrambling to find new sources of revenue as emergency aid dollars dry up, but some stakeholders don’t see their value.

May 9 - Politico

Purple Virginia Breeze intercity bus driving down blurred road with trees on roadside.

BLOG POST

A Business Case for Improving Interregional Bus Service

Interregional bus service is the neglected stepchild of the transportation family. We need better non-auto connections between communities.

May 9 - Todd Litman

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