Economic Recession

Many States Happy With First Draft of Stimulus Package

The first draft of the house stimulus package has been released. This piece from Stateline looks at its major components.

January 18, 2009 - Stateline

Stimulus Funds Roads Over Transit Three-to-One

Officials are complaining about the first draft of the economic stimulus package, arguing that it does not dedicate enough money to transit projects and heavily favors road building.

January 18, 2009 - The Wall Street Journal

Architecture's 'Bilbao Era' Could Be Over

The age of iconic architecture may be ending. The recession is a major factor, but much of the shift may be due to changing perceptions about what architecture is supposed to do for a place, according to critic Robert Campbell.

January 16, 2009 - The Boston Globe

Amid Downturn, Dubai Metro Moves Ahead

While the economic downturn is slowing many construction projects in Dubai, the city's 47-station light rail system is moving forward on schedule.

January 12, 2009 - Architectural Record

California's High Speed Rail Struggles Through Recession

The economic recession is hurting the California High Speed Rail Authority, the lead agency developing the high speed rail network for which the state's voters approved $10 billion in bonds in 2008. With no buyers, the bond money is unavailable.

January 11, 2009 - San Francisco Chronicle

Architecture Bender Ends as Funding Dries Up

The party's over for what started out as a go-go year for architecture, writes Nicolai Ourroussoff.

January 3, 2009 - The New York Times

The City on Hiatus

Nick Paumgarten imagines a New York City landscape that would result from a present-day economic crisis.

December 21, 2008 - The New Yorker

Is Urbanism Enough to Curb Global Warming?

Witold Rybczynski reports on a recent conference at the University of Pennsylvania at which planners emphasized technology. He thinks that there is more to it than that.

December 19, 2008 - Slate.com

Denver Pushes Projects to Fuel Economy

In an effort to revitalize the local economy, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper has announced a plan to fast-track more than 200 construction projects in the city.

December 14, 2008 - The Denver Post

Booze It Up for Barry and Save the Capitol

When President-elect Barack Obama is inaugurated on January 20, the city of Washington D.C. is likely to be the most lively, exciting and vibrant city in the world. Millions will be there. Hotels for miles around are booked full, couches across the city will be crashed upon, and many in the city are expecting the party to last for days. City officials are doing what they can to make sure the party does indeed happen.

December 7, 2008 - Nate Berg

With Last Recession Still Fresh in Mind, Hard Times Ahead for Architects

The economic recession will mean tough times for architects, who saw jobs cut by more than 40% during the last slump. Many in the field are wondering whether many architects will survive the current situation.

November 19, 2008 - Guardian

The Future Homes of Post-Crash America

Just as good economic times pushed housing sizes to mansion-like proportions, the downturn in the economy will force builders and consumers to size down and get energy efficient, according to this commentary from James S. Russell.

November 16, 2008 - Bloomberg

Urban Design After The Age of Depression

Hey, have you heard we’re all screwed? Last week Penn hosted the “Reimagining Cities: Urban Design After the Age of Oil” conference. If you were there, or if you read the liveblog of the event, you saw speaker after speaker tell of the doom and gloom facing the planet. Climate change! Carbon emissions! Decaying infrastructure! Nine billion people! In the words of the classical philosopher Shawn Carter, we got 99 problems, but a bitch ain’t one. Frankly, it’s all a little depressing.

November 14, 2008 - Jeffrey Barg

Spain's Manufacturing Boomtown Feels Economic Slump

The manufacturing town of Zaragoza, Spain is beginning to feel the crunch of the global economic slowdown, as a General Motors plant goes on a temporary hiatus.

November 6, 2008 - The New York Times

Mexico to Invest Billions in Infrastructure

Mexican President Felipe Calderon has announced a $4.3 billion plan to improve the country's infrastructure, schools and housing stock.

October 14, 2008 - BBC

Money for Nothing? Not Anymore. (Chicks, Though? Still Free.)

Almost a month into planning school, I can see the profession’s all about improvisation. How do you think on your feet when a client doesn’t like your design? What other cities can you turn to when a sudden mandate comes down to look for policy innovation? Or let’s say you’re a planning professor. The financial markets have started a tailspin, eating themselves alive and swallowing MBAs whole. How’s your lesson plan gonna change?

October 1, 2008 - Jeffrey Barg

U.S. Gas Consumption Drops - First Time In 16 Years

Economic recession and soaring gas prices have resulted in the largest, demand-induced, sustained decline in gas consumption in 16 years. Motorists are reacting to the higher prices and weaker economy in their vehicle selection and driving behavior.

March 6, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

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