As data centers expand to support the U.S. AI economy, concerns are growing around jobs, privacy, security, and community impact. Nicol Turner Lee and Darrell West outline how legally binding community benefit agreements can bring transparency to data‑center costs, risks, and local benefits.

Getting King County on board with going to the voters for a supplementary funding source for Metro bus service has long been a goal of regional transit advocates. But making it happen this year will likely be a tall order. Story: www.theurbanist.org/2026/02/06/k...

[Award-Winning Project Spotlight: Excellence in Public Involvement Award] Totsuka Pre-Disaster Planning Collective | Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan Exemplifies public involvement by embedding disaster preparedness into everyday community life and intergenerational learning. Read more→ shorturl.at/UQ33o

[Award-Winning Project Spotlight: Excellence in Advancing Social Equity Award] Chuong Duong Forest Park | Hanoi, Vietnam Exemplifies how inclusive, participatory, and community-led planning can transform neglected, polluted urban land into a vibrant public space. Read more→ shorturl.at/UQ33o

2025 Planning Excellence Awards Results are in! international.planning.org/community/aw... We are pleased to announce the recipients of the Planning Excellence Awards 2025. Congratulations to all!

[Registration Is Now Open!] Join Us for the 2025 World Town Planning Day Conference Theme: With Planning We Can! Date: Friday, November 7 Register here!: planning.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

🌍 World Cleanup Day is about rethinking waste. This year we spotlight textiles: 92M tonnes wasted yearly. From sew & swap days to drop-off points, waste picker partnerships & circular design — solutions exist. Join us 20 September to #LeaveNoWasteBehind.

[Call for Entries Now Open!] 2025 International Planning Excellence Award 📅 Deadline: October 15, 2025 (11:59 PM EDT) 📥 Apply now: international.planning.org/community/aw... #UrbanPlanning #PlanningExcellence #APA #InternationalPlanning #CityDesign #SocialEquity

[Planning Excellence Awards 2025] The 2025 APA International Division Planning Excellence Awards are coming up soon! Stay tuned for updates and nomination details… in the meantime, check out past award winners for inspiration: international.planning.org/community/aw...

What if traffic deaths weren’t accidents, but design failures? When kids step into the road too soon, we blame them. But poor crossings, missing bike paths, and ignored speed limits put them at risk. It’s time we designed for everyone's safety.

Research shows that stable and flexible schedules are vital for the #health, well-being, and long-term retention of essential workers. As #LaborDay nears, explore how employers and policymakers can support flexible scheduling for low-wage #workers in a new Urban Wire post.

Federal Way Link will open on December 6, ahead of the previous plan for an early 2026 opening, Sound Transit announced today. Story: www.theurbanist.org/2025/08/28/f...

[Planning Excellence Awards 2025] The 2025 APA International Division Planning Excellence Awards are coming up soon! Stay tuned for updates and nomination details… in the meantime, check out past award winners for inspiration: international.planning.org/community/aw...

From Around the Industry: Our Webinar Picks: stormwateruniv.com/courses/the-...

Building resilience: How structural innovations can help communities defend against disasters www.brookings.edu/events/build...

Great work by @yaleclimatecomm.bsky.social. Full report here: climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications...

Roughly 9.8% of employer businesses were financially impacted by extreme weather in 2022. In some cities like New Orleans, close to 50% were impacted. Why aren't more business leaders calling for stronger adaptation policy??? @andreperryedu.bsky.social www.brookings.edu/interactive/...

1/2 Check out the new episode of Metro Blueprint, a podcast from @brookings.edu Metro. In this episode, @lohplaces.bsky.social speaks with Kurt Weigle (Greater St. Louis Inc) about how cities can break the “urban doom loop” and convert offices to residential housing www.brookings.edu/articles/st-...

🚦NYC’s congestion pricing is cutting traffic & cleaning the air. Could it be a model for other cities? 🎙️ New @brookings.edu Metro Blueprint episode w/ Adie Tomer & Polly Trottenberg dives into the early wins, challenges & what’s next. 🎧 Listen: www.brookings.edu/articles/wil... #CongestionPricing

Hello! We’re the APA International Division — a space for planners working abroad and anyone interested in global planning issues and developments beyond the U.S. #Planning #UrbanPlanning #International #APA #InternationalDivision