Image by Lars Plougmann licensed under Creative Commons.

Dallas made forward-thinking plans for its highways — then abandoned them. Self-driving cars and jetpacks are shiny, but the future of transportation is still public transit. Bloomberg contributors debate whether increasing density or increasing sprawl most relieves the housing crunch.

The best-laid but ignored plans: Dallas put together a forward-thinking and urbanist highway guide for the areas around Dallas. Then the most recent highway planning draft for I-30 from TXDOT completely ignored it, adding more frontage roads, widening the freeway, and blocking opportunities for good urban development. (D Magazine)

Don't forget the basics of transportation: When discussing the future of transportation, a lot of conferences and articles discuss cars, jet-packs, and other technologies that are focused on moving individual people. But we shouldn't forget the basics — public transit — and prioritize substance over style. (The Verge)

Build up or build out?: Housing is a hot topic in cities as prices go up and pressures mount for lower-income residents. Noah Smith and Connor Sen of Bloomberg News debate whether boosting density is the answer, or whether sprawl is a greater pressure relief valve. (Bloomberg News)

High rent hits young black Americans harder: Yes, it's the economy, but if you dig deeper the reason why young adults live with their parents differs by race. Young black Americans typically live with their parents because they can't afford rent, while young white Americans do so because of job-related concerns. (CityLab)

The heartbeat of a city: Manhattan's daytime population swells by two million people as commuters flock to downtown and midtown offices in droves. Interactive data designer Justin Fung captures this inhale/exhale of the city in a stunning visualization. (Fast Company)

Vacant land in America's business districts: A new study looks at the total amount of vacant land that exists in America's central business districts. They found that in the 25 largest cities, 584 acres were available and underdeveloped. The hope is that these properties develop in the future to support regional economies. (Commercial Cafe)

Quote of the Week

“Think about that for a moment: At least 1 out of 10 self-driving cars will often contain someone who is experiencing motion sickness. That’s going to mean an awful lot of cleaning up.”

Meredith Broussard writing in Slate about how ride hailing companies are going to keep autonomous vehicles clean.