The hottest Urban planning Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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The LVT Landscape #1: Movement Across the U.S.

Progress and Poverty • 1270 implied HN points • 03 Mar 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Tax policy Legislation Urban planning Public Policy
  1. Land value tax (LVT) is becoming popular in various states in the U.S. as a way to manage property taxes more fairly.
  2. Cities like Baltimore and Spokane are making efforts to adopt LVT to deal with issues like vacant properties and encourage development.
  3. Legislation supporting LVT is being introduced and discussed in places like Minnesota and New York, indicating growing interest in this tax reform.

Why Skyscrapers Became Glass Boxes

Construction Physics • 59712 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🪑 Design Architecture Urban planning Real Estate Construction Aesthetics
  1. Skyscrapers today are mostly glass boxes because they are cheaper and easier to build. This style lets developers create more usable space while saving on construction costs.
  2. Real estate developers play a huge role in deciding how a skyscraper looks. They focus on what will make money, often opting for simpler designs that meet tenant needs but lack ornamentation.
  3. Our interest in building design shapes what gets built. While many developers prefer beautiful designs, the market often pushes for simpler, more modern aesthetics that make financial sense.

Why Transit In Oakland Sucks

The Discourse Lounge • 1443 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Transit Urban planning Local government Transportation Policy
  1. Oakland's public transit is underfunded and not very helpful, making many people rely on cars. Even in a dense area, it's hard for low-income families to give up their cars because transit options aren't reliable.
  2. Simply removing parking requirements won't fix Oakland's transit problems. There needs to be more focus on improving and funding public transport to reduce car dependency effectively.
  3. Oakland's city leaders haven't prioritized expanding transit, and as a result, the transit system is disorganized and ineffective. Without a solid plan for better transit, the city struggles to meet its climate goals.

Why Trump killed congestion pricing

Silver Bulletin • 386 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Analysis Transportation Political Economy Urban planning Public Opinion
  1. Congestion pricing in New York has made commuting faster for many people, saving them time despite the added fees. Some drivers find it worth paying extra to avoid long traffic delays.
  2. Not everyone benefits equally from congestion pricing; it can be a burden for lower-income commuters who rely on personal vehicles. Still, it helps reduce traffic and pollution in the city.
  3. The policy has mixed effects on local businesses. While it may deter some visitors, faster travel within the city could encourage local spending from commuters using public transit.

Accepting proposals - A unique coliving opportunity (Tempe, Arizona)

Supernuclear • 519 implied HN points • 14 Oct 24
💼 Business Real Estate Urban planning Community Development Lifestyle
  1. Culdesac Tempe is a car-free community designed for walking and biking. It's the first of its kind in the U.S. and has hundreds of happy residents.
  2. There’s a new opportunity for a group of friends or a community to lease an entire block of apartments there. It's a unique coliving situation with some design flexibility.
  3. The offers are starting at $1400 a month, and groups can get a discount for taking multiple units. It's a chance for creative living arrangements in a cool location.
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The NIMBYs strike back

Odds and Ends of History • 67 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Infrastructure Urban planning Political Advocacy Public Policy
  1. NIMBYs, or 'Not In My Backyard' groups, are causing issues for the Planning and Infrastructure Bill in Parliament. They often oppose new developments near their homes, which can hinder progress.
  2. Criticism is directed at major media and environmental organizations like The Guardian and Natural England for their views on housing and development. This shows a clash of opinions on how to manage land use and development needs.
  3. A former Conservative cabinet minister, Sir Simon Clarke, argues that his party must focus on building and development to stay relevant. This highlights the need for political parties to adapt their policies to current societal demands.

Letters to the Editor: The Fires Weren’t Inevitable

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1521 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
📰 News Wildfires California Urban planning Public response Journalism
  1. Some readers disagree with the idea that Los Angeles was meant to burn, arguing it's a defeatist attitude. They believe avoiding blames and focusing on solutions are more productive.
  2. The discussion highlights that LA's construction on dry grasslands makes it vulnerable to wildfires, but it's also important to consider how this can be managed better.
  3. There’s a broader concern about accepting problems as unavoidable rather than addressing them, which can reflect in various societal issues today.

The Wildfire Prep Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1146 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Air Quality Urban planning
  1. Being prepared for wildfires in LA is very important. Make sure to have a go-bag ready with essential items like masks, goggles, and fire-resistant clothing.
  2. Plan multiple escape routes from your home, as traffic can get very bad during evacuations. Knowing alternate paths can help you get out more easily.
  3. Keep your home and car ready for quick evacuations. This means keeping your gas tank full and clearing any flammable vegetation around your home.

Pain Control

Doomberg • 7727 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Policy Regulations Environmental Impact Public Health Urban planning
  1. A new law in Ottawa limits how long cars can idle to reduce emissions, even in freezing temperatures. This change has sparked debates about balancing climate goals with everyday needs.
  2. Some lawmakers are considering studying the environmental impact of anesthesia gases used in medicine. This might lead to strict regulations on their use, showing how far some are willing to go for climate concerns.
  3. Many feel that not all small actions, like the ones mentioned, are equally important. It's crucial to find a balance between good intentions and real-life impacts on people's comfort and health.

Visit to Bataan NPP, 2013-09

Gordian Knot News • 124 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Energy Nuclear Infrastructure Environment Urban planning
  1. The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was nearly finished but never started due to political issues. It had been built during Marcos' regime but was halted after his overthrow.
  2. The plant has been neglected since the 1980s, meaning it suffers from damage and requires significant investment to be operational again. Some believe it could be revived in the future with the right leadership.
  3. Despite being outdated in some ways, the plant's control systems are considered reliable since they don't have software vulnerabilities. There's a discussion about improving monitoring without losing the existing analog system.

Canton Follow-Up Post

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 126 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy Urban planning Economic Trends Zoning Laws Social Issues
  1. Canton is facing a serious housing issue, with a big decline in new single-family homes being built. This drop is linked to strict zoning laws that make it difficult for families to create more housing options.
  2. Rents in Canton have grown faster than inflation, which is making it hard for residents. Even though buying a home could be cheaper than renting, many people can't get mortgages due to those same zoning restrictions.
  3. The U.S. has a widespread housing crisis, not just in wealthy areas like New York City but everywhere. If cities make it easier to build new homes, they could become more affordable again.

At least five things for your weekend (#30)

Noahpinion • 15235 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Energy Social media Urban planning
  1. Consumer sentiment may not always align with economic fundamentals like interest rates or unemployment, showing the influence of 'vibes' and media narratives.
  2. Tokyo and Seoul have a unique city development pattern with gradually sloping density, allowing for more people without feeling crowded, achieved through upzoning suburbs and excellent train systems.
  3. The age of energy abundance is upon us as technologies like solar power and batteries become cheaper, alongside increased fossil fuel drilling in the U.S.

Britain's weird hate for air conditioning

Odds and Ends of History • 134 implied HN points • 19 May 25
🎭️ Culture History Society Politics Housing Urban planning
  1. Britain has a strange dislike for air conditioning, which affects how people stay cool in hot weather. It seems many prefer to tough it out rather than use AC.
  2. There are ongoing delays in UK projects like HS2, which is causing frustration for those hoping for improvements in transport. People are looking for better public transport options, especially buses.
  3. A recent report suggests building more homes and smaller living spaces could help with housing shortages. It also points out that more air conditioning might make these homes more comfortable.

The prophet of parking

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 30 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban planning Public Policy Transportation Environmental Policy Housing policy
  1. Donald Shoup changed how we think about parking, showing that it's too cheap and needs proper pricing to avoid problems like congestion. This change affects where we live and how our cities are planned.
  2. Minimum parking requirements can lead to unnecessary costs and too much parking being built, which wrecks city layouts and makes housing more expensive. Eliminating these requirements can help allow for better city designs.
  3. Shoup's approach includes using money from parking fees to improve local areas, gaining community support for pricing parking. His work has sparked a global movement for parking reform.

The central planners come for me

In My Tribe • 653 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance Urban planning Transportation Policy Community Development Zoning Laws
  1. Central planners are trying to reshape communities based on their ideas, which may not reflect the preferences of the people living there. Residents should have a say in how their neighborhoods are developed.
  2. Plans for new walkable communities can complicate life for those who rely on cars, especially in areas that are already affordable and diverse. It's important to consider the needs of all residents before making drastic changes.
  3. Incremental improvements might be better than sweeping changes. Solutions like reducing traffic speed can help, but they should not disadvantage those who depend on cars to get around.

Interstate 35-W and the Murder of George Floyd

The Garden of Forking Paths • 2024 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Racism Urban planning Community Impact Social justice
  1. Interstate 35-W in Minneapolis has a history intertwined with racist urban planning that led to the displacement of Black residents.
  2. The American interstate system, while a marvel of human ingenuity, has a legacy of intentionally segregating communities through practices like redlining and racial covenants.
  3. The tragic murder of George Floyd at the corner of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis is connected to the deliberate engineering of racial injustice along roads like 35-W.

Mini Exasperation #5

Exasperated Infrastructures • 2 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Public Policy Transportation Urban planning Civic engagement
  1. Island Press is having a sale on e-books for just $4.99, making it a great time to support a small publisher and read more about planning and urbanism.
  2. Austin has made it illegal to park in bike lanes, with fines between $50 and $300, which aims to improve safety for cyclists.
  3. A new study shows that many people prefer ride-hailing services like Uber or Lyft over public transit, highlighting a need for changes in how we think about transportation options.

Can anyone save Piccadilly Gardens?

The Mill • 707 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Urban planning Public Space Community Engagement Social Issues
  1. Opinions are divided on the state of Piccadilly Gardens, with many people agreeing that it is currently a mess and needs improvement.
  2. The redesign of Piccadilly Gardens is a work in progress, with the council investing money in landscaping changes and consulting residents on new designs.
  3. Concerns about safety and anti-social behavior in Piccadilly Gardens persist, but some see potential in turning the space into a thriving, well-managed public area.

Wardriving for a place to live

Jampa’s Substack • 40 HN points • 21 Aug 24
🕹 Technology AI Tools Data Analysis Real Estate Software Development Urban planning
  1. Finding a place to live in a small, low-tech city can be really challenging. There aren't many real estate options or online listings, so one might need to explore the area by driving around.
  2. Using technology like OpenStreetMaps and AI can help in identifying neighborhoods and evaluating their quality. This can save a lot of time compared to traditional methods.
  3. It's important to check the neighborhood in person, even after using tech tools. Seeing the area first-hand can give a better understanding of what to expect and help find suitable homes.

Highlights From The Comments On Housing Density And Prices

Astral Codex Ten • 4542 implied HN points • 10 May 23
💼 Business Economics Urban planning Housing Market City Development Real Estate
  1. Density is correlated with high prices, but demand, rather than new units, drives prices up.
  2. Long-term, attracting people through desirability is more impactful than building more houses alone.
  3. Building new housing may attract trendy cities, but some cities may have capped trendiness and adding density won't make them more popular.

The Housing Shortage by Metro Area, Part 4

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 84 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy Real Estate Economic Theory Urban planning
  1. There is a housing shortage, which means there are not enough homes available for people who need them. This shortage can lead to high prices and long waiting lists for affordable housing.
  2. When rent control is put in place, it may help some tenants afford their homes but can also lead to declining quality of living conditions. Property owners often stop maintaining their properties, which can create additional problems.
  3. Access to mortgage loans is important for homebuyers. If people can't get loans to buy homes, it reduces the amount of housing being supplied in the market, contributing to the overall shortage of available homes.

I’m back, and asking: why shouldn’t Cambridge be the size of Bristol?

The Newsletter of (Not Quite) Everything • 904 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Urban planning Economy Housing policy
  1. The idea of expanding cities like Cambridge to the size of Bristol is being considered for economic growth.
  2. Historically, English cities have transformed in size as economic conditions change, showing potential for growth.
  3. Challenges like housing affordability and lab space need to be addressed for cities like Cambridge to thrive as tech hubs.

The Housing Shortage by Metro Area

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 84 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy Urban planning Economic Inequality Homeownership Real Estate
  1. There's a big housing shortage in many cities, meaning not enough homes are available for everyone who needs one. Building homes could help to lower rising rents and prices.
  2. The real estate market is affected by restrictions on building new homes. If these rules were eased, more homes could be built, which would make housing more affordable.
  3. Investing in new housing could change a lot financially. It could lower the overall value of land but make living situations better for many people, even if it seems risky at first.

Paris Reinvented: A 15-Minute City's Journey to Urban Sustainability

The Planet • 373 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🏝 Travel Sustainability Urban planning Culture Architecture
  1. Paris has made significant progress in becoming a green and sustainable city.
  2. Paris is evolving into a 15-minute city where residents can easily access various amenities within a short distance.
  3. The concept of a 15-minute city prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists over cars, which differs from traditional American urban design.

This Map Might Change Where You Live

The New Urban Order • 119 implied HN points • 01 May 24
🕹 Technology Urban planning Mapping City life Sustainability Data Analysis
  1. Close is an interactive map that helps people find neighborhoods with amenities important to them, like public schools, increasing personalized walkability.
  2. Close uses free spatial datasets and user feedback to build a detailed destinations roster, showing a commitment to accuracy and continuous improvement.
  3. Close differs from tools like Walkscore by focusing on transparency, user customization, and the 'time to furthest important destination' approach to assess walkability in cities.

Whence Fall Snowflakes

Bastiat's Window • 511 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Education Society History Childhood Urban planning
  1. Toxic fragility in universities may stem from lack of confrontation, mentorship, and intellectual exploration among students.
  2. Past educational practices like age-segregated schooling and urban designs have impacted critical thinking and creativity in children.
  3. Restrictions on children's time and space lead to a generation dependent on constant supervision, impacting their ability to explore and think independently.

Rabbit Holes 🕳️ #101

Creative Destruction • 28 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Society Technology Inequality Urban planning Design
  1. Our culture often encourages constant consumption instead of creative thinking. This focus on consuming information can limit our ability to produce and solve problems.
  2. We have created a divide between age groups, leading to 'age apartheid.' This separation makes society more isolated and misses opportunities for different generations to connect and support each other.
  3. The trend towards 'cozy tech' might feel comforting, but it can also promote isolation. Instead of fostering genuine connections, it encourages us to retreat into our own comfortable spaces.

The Sports Economy Is More Than Stadiums

The New Urban Order • 139 implied HN points • 10 Apr 24
🎾 Sports Economics Development Community Urban planning
  1. The sports economy involves more than just building stadiums, with a focus on combining sports with other economic activities like housing and retail to create sustainable developments.
  2. There is increasing skepticism about the economic benefits of public subsidies for stadiums, with citizens and governments becoming more cautious about investing in such projects.
  3. The concept of 'stadium neighborhoods' is evolving, with a shift towards creating more holistic developments that offer amenities beyond just sports entertainment, emphasizing urban recreation and community needs.

Demystifying the Contraflow Transit Lanes

Italian (urban) Letters • 235 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Transportation Urban planning
  1. Contraflow transit lanes are essentially two-way streets with one direction reserved for transit, simplifying traffic flow for buses and minimizing conflicts.
  2. These lanes can significantly reduce conflicts at intersections and curb-side encroachments, making public transit more efficient and reliable.
  3. Strategically deploying contraflow transit lanes can optimize transit routes, prioritize public transportation, and improve traffic flow within cities.

How Did Blocking Stuff Become Left-Coded?

I Might Be Wrong • 14 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban planning Housing policy Political Commentary Social Issues Infrastructure
  1. Many people feel frustrated with the slow processes that delay housing and infrastructure projects. They want things to move faster so that communities can improve.
  2. There's a concern that building new housing might change the character of some neighborhoods. People worry about gentrification and displacing existing residents.
  3. More housing could help make neglected areas more livable. It could also lower rents and improve safety instead of letting decay continue in those neighborhoods.

Office Armageddon

Diane Francis • 639 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
💼 Business Real Estate Urban planning Finance Work Culture Government Policy
  1. Many big city offices are empty now because a lot of people are working from home. This change is hurting banks and city budgets as tax revenues drop.
  2. Cities are losing population for the first time in decades, which is causing more vacant shops and offices. This could lead to financial trouble for local governments.
  3. Turning empty office buildings into homes could be a solution, but it’s complicated and expensive. Cities need to rethink their spaces and invest in community facilities to attract people back.

A road conundrum in Ballantyne

The Charlotte Ledger • 176 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
📰 News Transportation Infrastructure Urban planning
  1. Traffic on U.S. 521 in Ballantyne is increasing, and transportation planners are exploring complex solutions like new intersections and even a possible tunnel.
  2. The widening of U.S. 521 is facing challenges due to rapid area growth, making it trickier and more costly to find effective traffic solutions.
  3. State officials are considering various comprehensive solutions, such as flyover intersections or tunnels, to accommodate the expected increase in traffic volumes in the future.

When Fill Fails

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 319 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Urban planning Infrastructure Ecology Sustainability Urban Development
  1. Urban infrastructure, like the Light Rail tracks, can suffer from problems due to unstable ground and filling materials. Over time, these materials can sink or degrade, causing issues.
  2. Seattle's tideflats were completely filled by the 1920s to create new land, but this fill was often not properly stabilized. This can lead to things like subsidence during events like earthquakes.
  3. Sound Transit had extensive knowledge of the fill conditions before building the Light Rail but still faces criticism for the ongoing issues. People expect more from transit authorities regarding infrastructure stability.

5 Essays I'm Excited to Write This year

Exasperated Infrastructures • 9 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Infrastructure Public Policy Transportation Government spending Urban planning
  1. The writer plans to explore ways to spend federal transportation money more effectively. They want to understand past spending to improve future projects.
  2. There will be a focus on making air travel better by looking into its economics. The goal is to encourage airlines to adopt practices that benefit travelers and boost profits.
  3. The writer wants to investigate how municipal bonds can fund infrastructure projects. They aim to understand state spending behavior to create more resilient financial systems.

Interview with Carol Coletta: Why Public Space is Fundamental to Democracy

The New Urban Order • 119 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Urban planning Community Building Public spaces Arts
  1. Growing up in Memphis, Carol Coletta's love for urban environments and interaction with diverse communities sparked her interest in city development.
  2. Leadership in city initiatives can come from unexpected places, showing the importance of finding and fostering leadership across different sectors.
  3. The impact of public spaces like parks goes beyond recreation, serving as a crucial platform to promote social connection, equity, and community building.

Three percent more Monaco: Links in Progress, infrastructure edition

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 11 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Infrastructure Transportation Urban planning Construction Development
  1. A new airport opened in Nuuk, Greenland, making it easier for larger planes to land and boosting travel from locations like New Jersey.
  2. Vietnam is planning an impressive high-speed rail line between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which will cost around $67 billion and open in 2035.
  3. Monaco is expanding its land area by reclaiming land from the sea to build a new district, highlighting its ambition to develop upscale real estate.

E-scooters are good and Britain should legalise them

Odds and Ends of History • 1072 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
💼 Business Transportation Urban planning Regulation Environment Infrastructure
  1. E-scooters can help reduce car usage and congestion in cities due to their compact design and ability to take up less space.
  2. Legalizing e-scooters can lead to positive downstream consequences, such as reducing car dependence, reshaping urban geography, and creating a more sustainable environment.
  3. Regulating e-scooters through legalization can improve safety standards, encourage responsible riding behavior, and prompt the development of infrastructure to accommodate different modes of transportation.

The Death and Life of Great American Cities

The Jolly Contrarian • 39 implied HN points • 05 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture History Books Social Issues Urban planning Community
  1. Jane Jacobs challenged 1960s urban planning policies that sought to reorganize communities from the top-down, advocating for a bottom-up approach that respects local knowledge and decision-making.
  2. Jacobs' observations highlighted the importance of streets over buildings, the negative impact of planned parks, the value of mixed-use spaces, and the benefits of incorporating diversity in communities to promote vitality.
  3. She emphasized that the richness and adaptability of a community depend on real diversity, which may conflict with the drive for efficiency and homogenization in modern management and city planning.

Congestion pricing reduces driving. That doesn't make it a good idea.

Economic Forces • 8 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy Economic Policy Transportation Urban planning Environmental Impact
  1. Congestion pricing reduces the number of cars on the road, but this doesn’t automatically make it a good policy. We need to think about its overall impact on society.
  2. Different drivers react differently to congestion charges. Some can easily switch to other transport options, while others can't, so we see varying effects on traffic.
  3. How the money from congestion pricing is used is really important. If it is spent wisely on things like infrastructure, it can benefit everyone. But if not, it might just be wasted.