Welcome back to "Urban Planning is Not Boring"!  We'll examine the historical context of downtown "ghost towns" and how this phenomenon is not entirely new but rather a cyclical pattern in urban development. From white flight to suburban sprawl, we'll trace the trajectory of downtowns over the last few decades, from decline to revival and now to uncertainty. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated existing trends and brought about unprecedented challenges. With remote work becoming the norm and downtown office spaces sitting empty, downtowns are grappling with an existential crisis. Yet, amidst ..read more

Welcome back to Urban Planning is Not Boring! In this episode, we dive into an acronym many of you are likely familiar with, VMT. We start by breaking down the concept of VMT - vehicle miles traveled - which essentially measures the total distance traveled by vehicles, typically on a daily basis. To illustrate, imagine driving 20 miles to work, 5 miles to the gym, and 15 miles back home from the gym. That totals to 40 vehicle miles traveled for the day. But why does VMT matter? We explore the legislative context surrounding VMT, particularly in California where initiatives like SB 743 have rev ..read more

Welcome back to Urban Planning Is Not Boring! In today's episode, we delve into the concept of third places – those vital social hubs that bridge the gap between our homes (first places) and workplaces (second places). Join us as we uncover why third places are essential to fostering vibrant, connected communities. American sociologist Ray Oldenburg introduced the notion of third places as crucial to democracy and social cohesion in this 1989 book "The Great Good Place".  Despite the allure of digital connectivity, research indicates that physical third places offer unique benefits. From ..read more

Welcome back to Urban Planning is Not Boring! In this episode, Nat and Sam sit down with representatives from the American Planning Association (APA) Inland Empire Section to dive into the excitement surrounding the upcoming APA California Conference in Riverside from September 28th through October 1st. Discover the purpose and vision behind APA and its Inland Empire Section, explore the initiatives of the Diversity Division, and learn how the Young and Emerging Planners Group is shaping the future of urban planning. Join us as we unravel the details of the APA California Conference - the the ..read more

Happy New Year! Welcome back to Urban Planning is Not Boring! We are back from our break with a very exciting episode! In this joint episode, the Four Degrees to the Streets and Urban Planning is Not Boring podcasts come together to discuss Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). Hosts Nimo, Jas, Sam, and Nat use their expertise and experience living in TODs as a backdrop to give a coast-to-coast perspective on this complex subject. Press play to hear: TOD defined as a mixed-use community that encourages people to live near transit services and decrease their dependence on driving and its key com ..read more

Welcome back to Urban Planning is Not Boring! In this episode, Sam and Nat sit down with Federico Fernandez, a prominent figure in urban planning, cofounder of UrbanSim and Urbanly. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of urban simulation! Federico shares his insights into the innovative technologies that UrbanSim has developed to simulate urban environments, providing valuable insights to urban planners and policymakers. We delve into the exciting potential of urban simulation in optimizing transportation, land use, and overall urban development. We also discuss Federico's newest venture ..read more

Welcome back to Urban Planning is Not Boring! In this episode, we delve into the bipartisan alliance formed to address a growing crisis: homelessness. Inspired by a recent New York Times article titled "In Rare Alliance, Democrats and Republicans Seek Legal Power to Clear Homeless Camps," we explore the pressing issue of homelessness in the United States and the legal complexities surrounding the removal of homeless encampments from public spaces. Join us as we discuss the legal challenge presented by the 2018 "Boise decision," and the motivations behind politicians from diverse backgrounds ur ..read more

Welcome back to "Urban Planning is Not Boring." In this special episode, we're revisiting an essential topic that we recently covered in our class for Abundant Housing LA: "Introduction to Affordable Housing." Affordable housing is a pressing issue in cities worldwide, and it's crucial to understand the fundamentals of this complex and multifaceted subject. Whether you're an urban planning enthusiast, a housing advocate, or someone seeking to make sense of the challenges and solutions in your community, this episode is for you. Join us as we dive into the core concepts of affordable housing ..read more

Cities across the United States have opted to implement policy for community development gradually, rather than undergoing expedited construction and housing reform. Brooklyn Heights, Charleston, Savannah, New Orleans, and Austin are just a few names you might recognize of cities undertaking something called incremental housing development. The term is used to describe when cities are built, as the name suggests, in small increments. It balances the ever-changing demands of modern urban living with financial efficiency, but is it the approach that urban planners have been looking for? Today, w ..read more

Welcome to another episode of Urban Planning is Not Boring. Today, we have the privilege of exploring the world of community engagement, design, and planning with some remarkable guests from co:census. They're here to discuss an exciting new product, civicX, which promises to transform public feedback into meaningful insights in real-time. Joining us are three experts from co:census: Autumn Beaudoin, Ethics & Research Design Lead Nicole Schwartz, Software Engineer Jovanny Tovar, Product Marketing Manager Co:census is known for its commitment to challenging the status quo of design, and w ..read more