It's almost Halloween, and that means it's time to celebrate America's most important holiday by dressing up in a silly costume. But what's that? Tired of culturally relevant costumes? Don't want the general public to have any idea what you are? Prefer a drawn-out, interest-losing explanation of an obscure and wonky costume concept? Then you're in luck, because I happily present the second edition list of the best urban planning costume ideas.
Urban Development / Real Estate
The Animated History of Midtown Manhattan
This animation from The New York Times examines the history of Midtown Manhattan -- from pristine island environment to bustling metropolis.
The New York Times
Calthorpe's Daybreak
Daybreak is a massive development planned by Peter Calthorpe being built in Utah on land owned by a mining company. Artist Lucy Raven takes her camera for a visit to see how Daybreak is coming along given the soft housing market.
Triple Canopy
'Science City' Plans Could Boost Light Rail
Plans to build a group of villages near science and biotech office parks in Maryland could help the area secure federal light rail funding.
The Washington Post
Manhattan Apartment Real Estate Deal Going Bust?
A $5.4 billion deal to purchase two massive Manhattan apartment complexes and convert them to high-end rentals appears to be floundering.
Huffington Post
Residential Construction Declines Sharply in New York City
2009 is expected to turn out as a bad year for residential constructoin in New York City. After five consecutive years with more than 30,000 units constructed, at total of 6,300 are expected this year.
The New York Times
Flashy Developer Worries Locals
Edward M. Czuker is known for building bold developments. Residents of Playa del Ray are concerned about what his latest project will look like in their neighborhood.
LA Weekly
Las Vegas: A Model of America's Problems
The problems facing urban America can be exemplified by looking at the city of Las Vegas, according to this piece from the Brookings Institution's Mark Muro.
Citiwire
NFL Cities May Benefit From California Stadium Decision
A recent move that exempted a proposed Southern California football stadium's plans from environmental review may turn out to be precedent-setting for other cities looking to revamp their sports arenas.
Los Angeles Times
Miami Adopts Largest Known Form-Based Code
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 19:45
After four years of political wrangling, hundreds of public and internal meetings, several revisions, and one determined planning department, consultant team, and Mayor, the City of Miami made urban planning history tonight by adopting the largest known application of a form-based code. In doing so, Miami has catapulted itself to the forefront of those large American cities serious about implementing smart growth.
Environmental Laws Bypassed for California Stadium Project
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a bill that allows developers of a planned football stadium in Southern California to bypass environmental laws and speed up the planning process.
Los Angeles Times
Houstonians Ready for Regulation
A survey shows that 2/3rds of Houston residents are ready for stricter land use regulations. This follows a number of high-profile clashes between neighborhoods and developers who want to build in them.
The Houston Chronicle
Academia and Activism
A profile of Alvaro Huerta, the son of Mexican immigrants who is combining his urban planning studies with social activism.
UCLA Magazine
A Call for More Docks on the Hudson
Cities along the Hudson River in New York are pushing plans to build more docks along the waterfront.
The New York Times
Commercial Crash Maybe Not So Bad
The commercial real estate crash is coming and isn't pretty, but ULI senior fellow Stephen Blank and others say it won't be nearly as bad as the collapse of the residential housing market.
Cleveland Plain Dealer
More Jane Jacobs, Less Marc Jacobs
That's the slogan seen on t-shirts around Jane Jacobs beloved Greenwich Village, where some locals feel high-end chains are ruining the neighborhood.
Jeremiah's Vanishing New York
LEED-ND Is Go
LEED for Neighborhood Design (LEED-ND) is approved to become a permanent certification program.
New Urban News
