Planetizen

06/10/2021

The Pretext Problem: The Pitfalls of Planning While Bargaining

What is "pretextual planning," and how does it short-circuit certainty and transparency in planning and development processes? UCLA Planning Professor Michael Manville explains. https://www.planetizen.com/features/113615-pretext-problem-pitfalls-planning-while-bargaining

Lots of planning is discretionary. Cities and developers negotiate what builders will do for cities in exchange for the right to build, creating an incentive for bad rules, eroding the public's faith in zoning, and enabling political corruption.

06/10/2021

Opinion: Transit Needs to Be Better, Not Cheaper

More buses or free buses? Emerging from the fiscal and ridership crisis of the pandemic, some transit agencies are choosing the latter. https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/06/113599-opinion-transit-needs-be-better-not-cheaper

With many U.S. transit agencies facing severe gaps in service and budget shortfalls, some advocates argue that improved service matters more than free fares.

06/09/2021

This series of five courses explores key movements, moments, and theories in city planning from ancient times to the modern day.
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#urbanplanning #cityplanning #onlinelearning #elearning

This series of five courses explores key movements, moments, and theories in city planning from ancient times to the modern day.
https://courses.planetizen.com/track/introduction-city-planning?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=track_post_202106&utm_content=history-city-planning

#urbanplanning #cityplanning #onlinelearning #elearning

06/09/2021

Opinion: We're Loving Our National Parks to Death

The most popular national parks could be overwhelmed even in the before times, but the popularity and necessity of outdoor recreation during the pandemic have made the negative outcomes of crowded parks even worse. https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/06/113595-opinion-were-loving-our-national-parks-death

A reservation system could help the struggling national parks system manage crowds and protect our public lands from overuse, according to this article.

06/09/2021

TxDOT Promises to Reverse Some of the Damage Caused by Urban Freeways in Dallas

TxDOT is talking the talk for two Dallas freeway projects. Can it walk to the walk? https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/06/113598-txdot-promises-reverse-some-damage-caused-urban-freeways-dallas

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is in the early stages of planning for two projects that could leverage plans to rebuild two freeways in the city with plan to reconnect the neighborhoods they severed.

06/09/2021

The Next Mayor Will Have to Decide in New York's Post-Pandemic Parking Conflicts

Controversy about post-pandemic car space is creating "a real migraine" for the city's mayoral candidates. https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/06/113596-next-mayor-will-have-decide-new-yorks-post-pandemic-parking-conflicts

The ongoing political controversy about the priorities of the public realm in New York City is likely to last into the next mayoral administration.

06/08/2021

Introduction to Corporate Sustainability

Planners need to understand both sides of the sustainability equation—for their own businesses and the businesses they work with as clients and stakeholders.

https://courses.planetizen.com/course/corporate-sustainability

06/08/2021

Free Urban Planning Courses

Kick-start your continued learning with these free urban planning video courses taught by planning experts.
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Discover how you can create extraordinary places with free urban planning courses from Planetizen Courses.

06/08/2021

San Diego Could Expand Parking Reforms to Non-Residential Land Uses

San Diego's transit-oriented parking reforms could expand to include non-residential land uses. https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/06/113571-san-diego-could-expand-parking-reforms-non-residential-land-uses

A proposed code amendment would expand parking reforms implemented by San Diego in 2019.

06/08/2021

How the 'Financialization of Housing' is Physically Changing Cities

"[V]alue creation is being prioritized over the fundamental purposes of buildings and homes," according to the author of a new book on how the real estate investment is radically reshaping cities. https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/06/113559-how-financialization-housing-physically-changing-cities

The increasing investment value of real estate has led to tangible changes in the way buildings are designed and function, one author argues.

06/08/2021

Taking Stock and Looking Forward: What's Next for Public Transit?

A group of leading transit experts weighs in on one the big, unanswered questions about the effects of the pandemic. https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/06/113569-taking-stock-and-looking-forward-whats-next-public-transit

A group of 12 leading transit experts debriefed on the consequences of the pandemic for public transit, and proposed a future that centers public transit as a tool for economic recovery and righting the past wrongs of the planning profession.

06/07/2021

Portland Installs 'Alternative Pedestrian Walkway'

A story about a new low-cost alternative to a full sidewalk retrofit trended last week on Planetizen. https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/06/113501-portland-installs-alternative-pedestrian-walkway

The walkway is simpler and faster to build than a sidewalk, letting the city quickly and cost-effectively improve pedestrian safety on important walking corridors.

06/07/2021

Planners Working on Parking Reform Legislation in Raleigh

It's been a big couple of weeks for the parking reform movement. Case in point, Raleigh. https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/06/113551-planners-working-parking-reform-legislation-raleigh

Raleigh, North Carolina is the latest in a series of cities pursuing a significant departure from the 20th century planning status quo.

06/06/2021

New Census data put Seattle at the top. Baltimore and San Francisco are at the bottom. https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/06/113547-2020-population-growth-rates-50-biggest-us-cities

06/06/2021

Outdoor Dining Debate Heats Up as New York City Opens Up

The Alfresco Awards will celebrate the best use of outdoor dining space as opposition grows to NYC's pandemic prioritization of thousands of parking spaces. https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/06/113549-outdoor-dining-debate-heats-new-york-city-opens

A study, a debate, and an awards show—all included in the wild west politics of parking in the Big Apple.

06/06/2021

Choice Neighborhood Planning Grants Announced for 5 U.S. Cities

Five U.S. communities are receiving a combined $160 million in grants through the federal Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, a grant program designed to "redevelop severely distressed housing and spur comprehensive revitalization." https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/06/113532-choice-neighborhood-planning-grants-announced-5-us-cities

A federal grant program designed to support holistic and socially-focused planning projects at the neighborhood level has announced the winners of its most recent round of competitive grant funding.

06/05/2021

A one-mile pilot project on Portland's Northeast 60th Avenue will test a new type of pedestrian walkway that could "improve walking conditions without the expense or complication of building a full-fledged sidewalk." https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/06/113501-portland-installs-alternative-pedestrian-walkway

06/05/2021

Better Public Spaces for Teenage Girls

Lessons from the temporary "Swing Time" installation at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in 2014. https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/06/113518-better-public-spaces-teenage-girls

A growing design movement seeks to provide parks and playgrounds that meet the unique needs of teen girls.

06/05/2021

For Transportation Justice, Auto Safety Must Protect People Outside the Car

It's time for engineers and regulators to reorient their thinking about automobile safety. https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/06/113516-transportation-justice-auto-safety-must-protect-people-outside-car

Light trucks are killing more pedestrians than ever while keeping their drivers and passengers safer. Is it time to reframe safety regulations?

06/04/2021

Learn about the evolution of virtual reality technology—important vocabulary and logistics, the benefits of virtual reality over traditional media, and what the future of public engagement could hold.

https://courses.planetizen.com/course/virtual-reality-planners-introduction?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=course_post_202106&utm_content=virtual-reality-planners-introduction

06/04/2021

An International Comparison of Transportation Modes

A recently published study finds that the sprawling development and intensive road networks of U.S. cities produce relatively modest automobile access. https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/06/113496-international-comparison-transportation-modes

Access (the ease of reaching desired destinations) is a key factor in transport, sustainability, and urban planning. This new study applies multimodal accessibility analysis to 4 modes in 117 cities in 6 countries, illustrated graphically.

06/04/2021

Human Movement, Captured by a 'Very Clear' Mathematical Law

A research breakthrough confirms priors and opens new avenues for transportation planning. https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/06/113541-human-movement-captured-very-clear-mathematical-law

The "universal visitation law of human mobility" documented in a newly published study in Nature offers predictive power for urban mobility in addition to empirical validation of Central Place Theory.

06/04/2021

The Tulsa Race Massacre: A Century Later

A round up of the most ambitious reporting on the 100-year anniversary of the massacre that destroyed the neighborhood of Greenwood and killed dozens of Black residents. https://www.planetizen.com/blogs/113534-tulsa-race-massacre-century-later

On the hundred-year anniversary of the violence that destroyed Tulsa's "Black Wall Street," the country is finally reckoning with the legacy of one of the most destructive racially motivated riots in U.S. history.

06/03/2021

This series of courses taught by the leaders of the Form-Based Codes Institute teaches everything you've ever wanted to know about Form-Based Codes.
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#urbanplanning #cityplanning #onlinelearning #elearning

This series of courses taught by the leaders of the Form-Based Codes Institute teaches everything you've ever wanted to know about Form-Based Codes.
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#urbanplanning #cityplanning #onlinelearning #elearning

06/03/2021

Parking Minimums on the Chopping Block in Richmond, Virginia

Political momentum is building to end parking requirements in Richmond, Virginia. https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/06/113531-parking-minimums-chopping-block-richmond-virginia

Richmond, Virginia has decided to study the idea of removing parking minimums to lower the cost of housing and make more efficient use of land in the city.

06/03/2021

Connecticut Approves Statewide Zoning Reforms—Bill Awaits Governor's Signature

Planning history made in Connecticut. https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/06/113529-connecticut-approves-statewide-zoning-reforms-bill-awaits-governors-signature

Advocates and political supporters are calling HB 1607 an incremental, first step, after the process of building a winning political coalition cut back some of the original ambition of the statewide zoning reform effort.

06/03/2021

Rezoning for Governors Island Approved

The southern end of Governors Island in New York City has been rezoned, with the potential for a large climate research center still on the table. https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/06/113528-rezoning-governors-island-approved

A mix of new development focused on future needs and new tools for preservation are included in the rezoning package for the south end of Governors Island approved by the New York City Council in May.

06/02/2021

Courses

Better informed planners create extraordinary places. Become a better planner today by subscribing to Planetizen Courses' library of leading edge planning courses.
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#urbanplanning #cityplanning #onlinelearning #elearning

Course Library

06/02/2021

How Highway Removal Can Benefit Cities

A review of the evidence. https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/06/113517-how-highway-removal-can-benefit-cities

Cities across the country are reevaluating the impacts of major highway on neighborhoods and looking for ways to revitalize and reconnect communities.

06/02/2021

San Diego High-Speed Rail Plan Counts on Future Density

A sea change, on multiple levels, is up for debate as the city of San Diego considers the vision for the future of mobility described by a $160 billion regional transit plan. https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/06/113522-san-diego-high-speed-rail-plan-counts-future-density

Despite slowing population growth statewide, officials believe the region will "grow into" the new rail system if cities promote dense development around transit stations.

06/02/2021

Debt Piles Up for Low-Income Renters

Millions of Americans aren't through with the ravages of the pandemic. One way that's clear: Average rent owed by households with arrears jumped 66 percent though February 2021, according to a recent report. https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/06/113500-debt-piles-low-income-renters

As the end of federal and state eviction moratoriums looms, renters who fell behind on payments during the pandemic now face "staggering" amounts of debt.

06/01/2021

New Park Opens as Part of Houston's Ambitious Bayou Greenways 2020 Plan

The 172-mile project Bayou Greenways 2020 project is now roughly 122 miles toward completion, including a vital new hub for the larger park system. https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/05/113492-new-park-opens-part-houstons-ambitious-bayou-greenways-2020-plan

Bayou Greenways Park is part of a decade-long project building 172 miles of connected greenways around the city of Houston.

06/01/2021

Cities Seeking '20-Minute Living'

The most-read post from the long weekend on Planetizen. https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/05/113477-cities-seeking-20-minute-living

Reducing car dependency can improve air quality, increase access to jobs and opportunities, and help cities meet emissions reduction goals.

05/31/2021

Planetizen AICP Exam Preparation Class

Thinking of taking the AICP Exam? Join class instructor Dr. Emily Talen for Planetizen's web-based AICP Exam Prep Class. 93% of students who took Planetizen's AICP Exam Preparation Class in 2020 passed the test and became AICP certified.

Enroll today: https://www.planetizen.com/aicp-exam-prep?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=promo_post_202105&utm_content=acip-exam-prep

05/31/2021

Billions of Dollars in Rent Relief Might Arrive Too Late

The federal government has provided billions of dollars for rent relief during the pandemic, but that money is often failing to reach those most in need. https://www.planetizen.com/news/2021/05/113448-billions-dollars-rent-relief-might-arrive-too-late

The federal government has never provided so much aid to renters, but rental assistance is still failing to reach the people who need it most.