Hundreds of activists, students, politicians, lawyers, developers, architects and planners swarmed Miami's City Hall on Thursday for the City Commission's first reading of Miami 21. By some estimates, nearly 80% of the the 100-plus testimonials were spoken in favor of Miami 21, with Miami Mayor Manny Diaz kicking off the event with an 11-minute pro-Miami 21 paean. It was certainly one of the most eloquent, if not most passionate speech I have heard him deliver during his tenure. Strangely, Commissioner Angel Gonzalez was missing from the dais for what might have been the most important vote of the year. Apparently, the two week notice was delivered in time for him to reschedule surgery.
Environment
Creating 'Eco-Districts'
Green buildings are great, but don't do too much if they're located in grossly un-green places. The city of Portland is trying to address the issue by creating "eco-districts".
Governing
Brooklyn's Warehouse Roof Garden
This video from Reuters looks at a new rooftop garden in Brooklyn. Covering 6,000 square feet, the flourishing garden provides fresh produce to local restaurants.
Reuters (on-line)
Water Cops
Los Angeles' Department of Water and Power's enforcement officers have received mixed reviews, but have found overall success with tighter water-use restrictions implemented this year.
Los Angeles Times
Global Warming Could Increase Deserts 34% in Next Century
A new report estimates that desertification will expand up to 34% during the next century, enveloping an area the size of the United States.
Discovery
New Poll Finds Increased Usage of Urban Parks
A new report issued by The Trust for Public Land details the park and recreation system acres and facilities of the nation's largest 77 cities. The report shows that Americans are flocking to their city parks more in a down economy.
City Parks Blog
St. Joe Company's Big Plans and Drastic Impacts on Florida's Panhandle
The construction of a new airport and industrial district on Florida's panhandle characterizes the impact of the St. Joe Company, the state's biggest landowner and one in the midst of drastically changing the area's landscape.
Miller-McCune
Feeding the World in 2050
Growing populations and diminishing land will make feeding people a challenge in the near future. This piece from Popular Science looks at eight strategies to keep the world fed.
Popular Science
First Small-Scale Urban Wind Turbines Rising
Developers in Portland has begun installation of a set of wind turbines atop a new tower in downtown Portland.
Portland Business Journal
The Problem With Coal
In his new book, Big Coal: The Dirty Secret Behind America’s Energy Future, author Jeff Goodell uncovers the damage the coal industry has done to America's landscape.
Great Lakes Bulletin News Service
Greenwich Bans Clotheslines in Public Housing
Greenwich cites concerns over aesthetics and liability.
The New York Times
Wild Manhattan in Pictures
Matt Jensen's photographs reveal views of a natural Manhattan that are a little hard to believe. [Slideshow]
Huffington Post
Creating a 'Carbon-Positive' City
Mayor Yu Qun has transformed the city of Baoding, China into what some are calling the world's first "carbon-positive" city -- mainly by shifting away from polluting industries to the renewable energy industry.
The Christian Science Monitor
Urban Apiarism Made Easier
Raising bees, that is. In England, a British government conservation agency is encouraging city dwellers to keep bees on their roofs, and have introduced a new hive design to make the pursuit easier.
Inc Blog
Living A No-Impact Lifestyle in Manhattan
Writer Colin Beavan set a goal for his family to live a year in New York with no impact on the environment. A new documentary film follows their travails as meat, cosmetics, and trash bags get packed away.
WorldChanging
Turf Troubles
When mandatory water conservation rules took effect in Glendale, California, homeowner David Wood installed artificial turf to maintain the green front yard emblematic of the American Dream. But his new fake lawn is against the law.
Glendale News Press
Calcutta Removes Old Cars to Clean Air
In order to clean the air in Calcutta, officials have begun enforcing a rule that removes all vehicles manufactured before 1993, mandated by the city's High Court.
BBC
Learning Water Conservation on the Golf Course
As water resources dwindle, golf course managers are becoming go-to experts on conservation.
The New York Times
Contribute
TECH-320: Advanced SketchUp Webinar
Advanced SketchUp Webinar
Wednesday, December 2, 11am PST/2pm EST
$49.95 (includes 30-day access to video recording)
Learn More:
TECH-320: Advanced SketchUp - Modeling Buildings
- Landscape Architecture and the Creation of Public Space
- Iraqi Civil Engineers Take Over Base Planning
- Brand-New Offramp Must Be Torn Down, Rebuilt
- Living in 100 Square Feet
- Chicago's Private Parking Meter Bungle
- Booming Burbs Stop Growing
- Making Goverment Data Sexy
- Banks Brace for Onslaught of "Zombie Buildings"
- Competing Technologies Within Hydrogen Car Community
- Promise Takes Root in Dallas' Newest Park
Learning from TTI -- Michael Lewyn
Automobility and Freedom: Conflicts and Resolutions -- Todd Litman
Somewhere Between Blight and Gentrification... -- Diana DeRubertis
The Future of American High Speed Rail: Regional and Slow -- Robert Goodspeed
Prisoners of The Village -- Nate Berg
Student Writing Competition - Deadline Extended!
APA Urban Design and Preservation Division
Nov 20, 2009
NEW NCI 2009 Best Practices Report
National Charrette Institute
Nov 19, 2009
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) Request for Proposals
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH)
Nov 19, 2009
Build your expertise in sustainable planning, public participation, urban design or real estate
Rutgers University -- Professional Development Institute
Nov 18, 2009
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