Pennsylvania

One of Pittsburgh’s bridges is visible through cherry blossoms, with downtown high-rises in the background.

Pittsburgh Launches New Comprehensive Plan Process

Pittsburgh is starting from scratch on a new comprehensive plan, after stalling on the ForgingPGH plan in 2021.

August 31, 2023 - Pittsburgh Union Progress

Traffic Lights

Pennsylvania Awards $36 Million for Traffic Signal Upgrades

The state’s Green Light-Go program helps communities improve road safety through signal improvements.

August 25, 2023 - Land Line

Vintage green Phialdelphia trolley moving down street

Retro Trolleys Returning to Philadelphia

The freshly restored vintage fleet will maintain service frequency on Route 15 before eventually being replaced by newer models.

July 11, 2023 - Billy Penn

An aerial view of the Pennsylvania State Capitol building.

Pennsylvania Law Removes Obstacles to Blight Reduction

“We don’t need every old coal miner’s house” to stay standing, says Sen. David Argall (R-Schuylkill).

July 7, 2023 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The view down Main Street in Akron, Ohio

A Small Town Makes its First Zoning Update Since 1997

Mixed-use development and a floodplain overlay are the big-ticket items when the small community of Akron Borough in Pennsylvania recently updated its zoning code.

July 5, 2023 - Lancaster Online

"I [heart] Philadelphia" sign in front of fountain with city hall building in background

Philadelphia’s City Center Rates Highly for Transit, Walkability

While not all parts of the city are equally accessible, its central district boasts one of the nation’s densest transit networks and high ridership rates.

June 15, 2023 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Marcellus shale gas-drilling site with tall white tower against green hills along PA Route 87, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania

The Effort to Plug Pennsylvania’s Abandoned Oil Wells

Hundreds of thousands of defunct oil wells litter the state, leaking dangerous substances and often hidden under parking lots, buildings, or covered over by vegetation.

June 14, 2023 - Inside Climate News

Two white SEPTA buses with red and blue lines on urban Philadelphia street

Philly Bus Cameras Catch Over 20,000 Bus Lane Violations

A pilot program revealed roughly 4,000 instances of vehicles blocking bus lanes or bus stops every week.

June 12, 2023 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Aerial view of 30th Street Station with train tracks and buildings in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Master Plan Envisions New Neighborhood Around Philly’s 30th Street Station

A partnership led by Amtrak plans to redevelop the area around a historic train station with mixed-use buildings, cultural amenities, and open space.

June 7, 2023 - Governing

People on bikes and sitting on ledge on Pittsburgh riverfront with arched bridge in background

Pittsburgh Aims for Equitable Mobility

A two-year pilot program aims to provide an integrated, multimodal, and affordable transportation system across the city combining transit, bikes, e-scooters, and other options.

May 11, 2023 - Government Technology

Colorfu rowhouses in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Examining Philadelphia’s Zoning Overlay Districts

A decades-old policy allowing hyperlocal zoning exemptions and restrictions creates a confusing patchwork of zoning regulations across the city.

May 4, 2023 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Bus Service

SEPTA Launches On-Demand Transit

The service will expand SEPTA bus service to the Philadelphia suburbs.

April 23, 2023 - NBC Philadelphia

View of Philadelphia City Hall building at sunset

Philadelphia Mayor Hopefuls Want More Affordable Housing on Vacant Lots

Many of the candidates agree that a slow, complex sales process and strong councilmanic prerogative hinder the development of city-owned lots.

April 14, 2023 - WHYY

Two white SEPTA buses with red and blue lines on urban Philadelphia street

SEPTA’s Strategy for Easing Its Staffing Shortage

The agency is taking multiple steps to recruit and retain more transit operators, but it likely won’t be enough to prevent the agency from having to cut service on some of its bus lines.

April 6, 2023 - WHYY

Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh Developers Push Back on Zoning Review Fees

An increase in fees for commercial construction projects is raising concerns from local developers who say the industry already faces rising costs to build in the city.

March 30, 2023 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

White SEPTA bus driving through snow in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

‘Bus Revolution’ Revised in Philadelphia

The bus system redesign underway in Philadelphia changed direction after riders and local politicians complained about an initial draft plan.

March 23, 2023 - WHYY

Aerial Philadelphia cityscape by night with the City Hall tower in the foreground and Ben Franklin bridge spanning Delaware river in the back

Philadelphia ‘Lights Out Pledge’ Seeks To Prevent Bird Deaths

Migratory birds are often lured away from their normal paths by the bright lights of cities, with deadly results.

March 19, 2023 - Next City

A view from above of the Oakland neighborhood in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Moves Ahead With Zoning Changes for University-Adjacent Neighborhood

The implementation of a new master plan for the neighborhood of Oakland, home to the University of Pittsburgh, is moving forward despite controversy and a contentious community engagement process.

February 24, 2023 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Adaptive Reuse Program Accepting Applications

The city has issued a request for proposals to support projects converting downtown office buildings to affordable housing.

February 9, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Bike rider on multi-tiered Philadelphia bridge

The Bicycle as Economic Lifeline

For many low-income households, bikes offer an affordable way to access more destinations and economic opportunities.

February 6, 2023 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Top Books

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Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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.