NYC subway stations to get more elevators, ramps after MTA legal settlement

“Only about a quarter of stations are usable by people with disabilities affecting their mobility,” according to Disability Rights Advocates, which sued the Metropolitan Transportation Authority on behalf of people with disabilities.

By Michael Brady • April 26, 2023

$25B for fare-free transit? Federal lawmakers take third shot at passing legislation

The proposed legislation would create competitive grants to help transit providers establish zero-fare programs, improve bus service and pay for the increased costs of higher ridership.

By Dan Zukowski • April 25, 2023

Arizona GOP bill allowing hotels to say no to housing vouchers vetoed by governor

Hotels and motels in Arizona have never been required to accept a voucher to house someone, and no proposal to do so is under consideration, Gov. Katie Hobbs, D, said in a statement.

By Jenna Graber • April 24, 2023

Elon Musk’s company town plans worry some locals, urban planners

The plans for Snailbrook, near Boring Co. and future SpaceX manufacturing facilities in central Texas, raise questions about local governance, environmental impacts and more.

By Adina Solomon • April 24, 2023

ARPA funds used to fill city budget gaps, Brookings analysis finds

Spending American Rescue Plan Act funds on “revenue replacement” allowed localities to free up money for long-term priorities, such as economic development, a Brookings Metro researcher said.

By Kalena Thomhave • April 21, 2023

Safer bus transit corridors for pedestrians, cyclists require creative solutions on every corner: report

“Each intersection, station, and even midblock area requires a unique and sometimes creative approach to maximize safety for people walking and biking,” a Transportation Research Board report found.

By Michael Brady • April 20, 2023

Creating safe streets for all users takes community engagement, funding, transportation leaders say

As the U.S. Department of Transportation opens grant applications for more than $1 billion to improve local road safety, equity for vulnerable road users is the subject of a new webinar series.

By Dan Zukowski • April 19, 2023

How an arts program supported Seattle public housing residents during redevelopment project

Public housing units nationwide need repairs and renovations. This arts program offers one way to ease the burden on residents during redevelopment, according to a Seattle Housing Authority report.

By Michael Brady • April 17, 2023

$1 billion in grants to prevent traffic deaths available: DOT

This year’s application process differs significantly from last year’s, including a new portal to submit applications and an updated definition of underserved community, the Transportation Department said.

By Michael Brady • April 12, 2023

Chicago’s lack of accessible pedestrian signals at crosswalks violates ADA: federal judge

The city defended itself by claiming it planned to install more accessible pedestrian signals, but a federal judge rejected that argument, saying Chicago failed to provide “meaningful access” to people with visual impairments.

By Michael Brady • April 7, 2023

To prevent housing displacement, Austin, Texas, wants to pay neighbors to help neighbors

The program aims to better connect lower-income residents to housing assistance, as Austin rents and home values soar. 

By Ysabelle Kempe • April 6, 2023

Evictions rose in cities after a national moratorium ended in 2021

There are many policies cities can use to protect renters from losing their homes aside from eviction bans, housing experts say.

By Karen Kroll • April 4, 2023

Less-restrictive zoning can increase supply of market-rate housing, new research shows

But other strategies may be needed to boost affordable housing, according to a first-of-its-kind Urban Institute study.

By Michael Brady • April 4, 2023

“Curated” climate data, grant assistance can help cities address EJ and climate change concerns

U.S. EPA tools can help communities anticipate climate impacts such as wildfires, drought, coastal floods and 100-year floods, an EPA official said. Assistance can help them apply for federal grants to address those impacts.

By Stephenie Overman • April 3, 2023

Rising cycling, pedestrian deaths the focus of bike infrastructure bill

The proposed legislation would allow states to fully fund bike and pedestrian safety projects with federal money from the Highway Safety Improvement Program and allow local governments to recommend projects for funding.

By Michael Brady • April 3, 2023

NYC launches online portal for city services, benefits

Mayor Eric Adams said the online portal, dubbed MyCity, would make it easier for residents to apply for benefits by reducing bureaucracy and red tape.

By Michael Brady • March 31, 2023

Which US cities showed ‘inclusive growth’ during the pandemic?

Some of the largest cities were “tested” while slightly smaller cities were more resilient or emergent, according to measures of growth used in a new report.

By Kalena Thomhave • March 30, 2023

Building music ecosystems can strengthen local economies and tourism, advocates say

Efforts in Huntsville, Alabama, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, demonstrate “the external benefit of music on everything else,” said one speaker at a Brookings webinar on music’s role in transformative placemaking.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • March 29, 2023

How cities can center equity in EV charging

“Focus more on the people than on the hardware” to implement EV charging equitably, one electric transportation advocate said, such as by talking to residents and listening to their needs.

By Kalena Thomhave • March 28, 2023

E-scooter bans, restrictions can leave some riders behind

Micromobility companies like Lime and Bird urge cities to think beyond “blunt” policies that ban e-scooters.

By Maylin Tu • March 22, 2023

Cities see hyperlocal ‘activity centers’ as key to sustainable growth, less car dependency

Most metropolitan area residents live within three miles of an activity center, according to Brookings Institution research. Officials are planning around such centers to help residents meet their everyday needs while driving less.

By Gaby Galvin • March 21, 2023

On climate change, this group of mayors thinks globally and acts locally

Climate Mayors Executive Director Kate Wright discusses how the organization is helping mayors lead on climate policy and implement provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act and 2021 infrastructure law.

By Michael Brady • March 17, 2023

Chicago tests new parking enforcement tech, smart loading zones

Mayor Lightfoot asked the city council to consider the pilot projects to increase road safety in January, after the parents of a young girl killed in a traffic collision filed a lawsuit alleging the city allowed unsafe road conditions.

By Michael Brady • March 16, 2023

California court defends independent contractor status for gig workers

A California court upheld the independent contractor provision of Prop 22 but struck down portions that would’ve made it almost impossible to amend the law. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 14, 2023

HUD chief targets rental fees, tenant screening

Secretary Marcia Fudge says landlords should eliminate “duplicative, excessive and undisclosed fees” and identify “bottom-line” amounts tenants will pay.

By Leslie Shaver • March 13, 2023