Denver
The Planetizen News Brief - 11/12/09
4:28 minutes (4.1 MB)
Planners vs. politics, California's statewide growth strategy and Denver's light rail budget woes-- all on this week's Planetizen News Brief, airing weekly on "Smart City".
FasTracks Hitting Fiscal Bumps in Denver
Denver's FasTracks light rail system was set to be the nation's most aggressively constructed transit system when it was approved in 2004. But five years into the 12 year plan, budget issues and delays are calling the system's future into question.
The New York Times
German Solar Coming to Denver
SMA Solar Technology AG, the German company responsible for about 40 percent of the world's solar market will be opening a plant in Denver.
The Denver Post
The Planetizen News Brief - 10/16/09
4:50 minutes (4.49 MB)
Saving money by housing the homeless, Western cities team up to lure high speed rail funds, and the work begins on Rio's Olympic preparations -- all on this week's Planetizen News Brief, airing weekly on the nationally-syndicated radio show "Smart City". Read, download or listen.
Denver Ridership Doubles, Even Without New Rail
Since Denver Metro voters passed FasTracks in 2004, transit ridership has almost doubled. Warren Karlenzig looks at how they did it.
Common Current
Denver Edging Towards Form-Based Code
Denver is seeking to revise its zoning, shifting to a form-based code that more precisely dictates what type of buildings go where and what they should look like.
Architectural Record
Denver to Replace Public Housing Project with Mixed Use TOD
The Denver Housing Authority is planning on demolishing one of the city's oldest low-income public housing projects to make way for a new mixed-use, transit-oriented housing development.
The Denver Post
Denver's 16th Street Mall Rehabilitation Proposal
At 27 years old, Denver's 16th Street Mall is in need of an upgrade. A team of consultants has recently released their recommendation of what needs to be done to rehabilitate one of Denver's premier public spaces.
The Denver Post
CNU Comes To Denver
In preparation for CNU 17 in Denver, the hometown paper published three op-eds on the importance of new urbanism, how it is changing development throughout the country, Denver's stellar role in it, and examples of it being put to use in the region.
The Denver Post
PBS Doc Examines Development In Denver, Portland, and NYC
Three cities - three directions on how their transportation infrastructure was shaped by national transportation and housing legislation, and the role of influential leaders like CO Gov. Lamm, OR representative Earl Blumenauer, and NY's Robert Moses.
PBS
Working With Local Business to Take the Poo Out of Parks
Frustrated with dog poop in his neighborhood park, a Denver resident has initiated a program that places locally-sponsored poop bagging and disposal kiosks in parks throughout the city.
The Denver Post
Not Your Parents' Denver Region Any Longer
Following the path of only a few other attractive cities and regions, Denver is seeing an influx of whites while the suburbs are becoming increasingly racially & ethnically integrated.
The Denver Post
Colorado Stimulus Projects Steer Clear of Sprawl
Despite some states using stimulus money to fund sprawl-inducing projects, Colorado seems to be avoiding projects that encourage exurban growth, according to this review.
The Colorado Independent
Denver Gets TOD Fund
The City of Denver plans to spend more than $15 million over the next decade to purchase real estate near mass transit.
The Denver Post
Monitoring the Effects of Bad Driving
In an effort to improve gas mileage, 400 drivers in Denver participated in an experiment that tracked and reported the bad driving habits -- idling, rapid accelerating and braking -- that waste fuel. Faced with the data, driving habits have changed.
Los Angeles Times
Half of Americans Want to Move
Nearly half of Americans want to move to a different part of the country, according to a new survey. Denver and San Diego rated as the most desirable cities to relocate to.
USA Today
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.
The Denver Post
Land Use and Religion Collide in CO
After a church in Denver was denied permission to expand its facilities, they filed a lawsuit against Boulder County on charges of discrimination. This month, the case reached a federal courtroom.
Los Angeles Times
Light Rail Brings Housing Values Up in Denver
While home values in the rest of the region decline, homes near Denver's light rail system have experienced an increase in values over the past two years.
The Denver Post
The New Face of The Mile-High City
Denver is in the spotlight as the Democrats roll into town, and while there might not be enough limousines for the crowds (see link below), Denver is looking good with lots of new investments in transit and real estate.
The Christian Science Monitor

















