The Planetizen News Brief

8 May 2008 - 5:00am

4:40 minutes (4.33 MB)

A weekly rundown of some of the most interesting and important news and issues, airing every week on the nationally-syndicated radio program "Smart City". In this week's News Brief, the greening of a tornado-devastated town, the creation of "community living rooms", and the free bike rack that got denied.

Inside the American Community Survey - A Non-Planner's View

5 May 2008 - 5:00am

The apartment where Ishmael Sanchez lives was randomly selected to participate in the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey. He's not a planner or a demographer, and doesn't use or particularly care about Census data. But, because he was required by law to do so, he responded to the survey.

America's First Wind-Powered City

11 May 2008 - 1:00pm
KOMU

The city of Rock Port, Missouri, recently celebrated the fact that its four wind turbines produced more energy than the town needed, becoming the first community in America to be completely powered by wind.

Market Downturn Is Good News For Land Conservationists

11 May 2008 - 11:00am
Wall Street Journal

While plenty of investors and homeowners are feeling the pain of the current real estate market, groups trying to protect land from development are welcoming the downturn.

A Congestion Pricing Plan For America's Most Famous Bridge

11 May 2008 - 9:00am
San Francisco Chronical

Plans call for raising the tolls on the San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge depending on the time of day, but commuters have so far reacted negatively to the plan, arguing there are too few alternatives.

Street Signs And Traffic Islands As Art?

11 May 2008 - 7:00am
Los Angeles Times

A Los Angeles activist and artist has taken to placing street signs mimicking the city's no parking signs on traffic islands, declaring them parks.

Melbourne, Australia: A Pedestrian Paradise

11 May 2008 - 5:00am
Streetsblog

After a decade spent redesigning the public realm, Melbourne, Australia is a haven of people-oriented development and mobility.

Behind the Scenes of Los Angeles

10 May 2008 - 1:00pm
Dwell

In this travelogue, Dwell tours the often-overlooked infrastructure that keeps the metropolis of Los Angeles running.

Learning From London's Congestion Charge

10 May 2008 - 11:00am
Toronto Star

By looking closely at the key factors that helped London's congestion charge succeed, other cities can decipher whether a similar scheme would work in their jurisdictions.

New Urbanist Town Designed For Ultimate In Green Living

10 May 2008 - 9:00am
Washington Post

A planned New Urbanist development in Northern California wants enable its eventual residents to live within their prescribed ecological footprint.

An Interview With The New Dean Of Harvard's Design School

10 May 2008 - 7:00am
Boston Globe

Planning students today care as much about the social aspects of cities as they do of their physical design, says Mohsen Mostafavi, the new dean at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design.

Sweden Tops All Nations As Climate-Friendly

10 May 2008 - 5:00am
The Guardian

One country stands out in Europe in surpassing the greenhouse gas emission reductions required by the Kyoto Protocol - Sweden. While it used several environmental technologies to achieve those reductions, experts give credit to its carbon tax.

Friday Funny: Steamy Pile of Lawsuit

9 May 2008 - 2:00pm
Stamford Advocate

A mom has filed a $100 claim against the city of Norwalk, Connecticut, after her one-year-old son stepped in dog feces on city property.

Urban Agriculture Putting Down Roots In Central Cities

9 May 2008 - 1:00pm
The New York Times

Urban farms are popping up in New York and elsewhere, providing residents with access to fresh, affordable produce.

Major Land Deal To Protect 240,000 Acres In Southern California

9 May 2008 - 12:00pm
The New York Times

The developer of the Tejon Ranch agreed to a plan to put permanent conservation easements on almost 375 square miles of ranch lands and wilderness 60 miles north of Los Angeles, in exchange for rights to develop 10 percent of its land holdings.

Affordable Housing Versus Better Wages

9 May 2008 - 11:00am
Boston Globe

Massachusetts wants to require affordable housing developers to pay construction workers a "prevailing wage", but with costs already totaling $200,000 or more per unit, the proposal may ultimately decrease the amount of affordable housing built.

Transit Systems Going Green

9 May 2008 - 10:00am
USA Today

Transit operators around the country are looking at ways to make taking public transportation even more environmentally friendly.

Candidates Sit Idly While Sprawl Thrives and Cities Die

9 May 2008 - 9:00am
The Cleveland Free Times

This piece from The Cleveland Free Times argues that policy can and does encourage sprawl, and none of the candidates running for president will do anything to combat these policies. Meanwhile, American cities will continue to die off.

How To Encourage Brownfield Redevelopment

9 May 2008 - 8:00am

Builders and planners are gathering in Detroit to discuss funding options for brownfield redevelopment and learn from region's experience transforming these community eyesores.

Rise in Bikers Pushes New York Towards Cycle-Friendliness

9 May 2008 - 7:00am
Los Angeles Times

Biking gets serious in New York, where the city is investing millions in a system of dedicated bike lanes.