United States

Climate Change is Local, Says Chu

U.S. Energy Secretary Stephen Chu said at the Asia Society Washington, D.C. center awards dinner that "climate change is the greatest challenge facing science."

June 24, 2009 - THE DIRT

Kunstler Says "Too Late" For High-Speed Rail

Returning from CNU, James Howard Kunstler reacts to a NY Times article about California's high-speed rail plans, and reflects on New Urbanism's shift away from traditional-neighborhood developments and into preparing for the 'long emergency'.

June 23, 2009 - Kunstler.com

Big Cities Call Stimulus Distribution Unfair

Mayors from big cities are feeling shortchanged by the federal government, which they say is disproportionately handing out stimulus money to small and rural areas.

June 23, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Speed Cameras May Save Lives

There are some arguments against speed cameras, but one says bicyclists are one of the major hazards on roadways.

June 23, 2009 - Wash Cycle

Against the Bulldozer

Struggling cities are increasingly looking at the idea of bulldozing vacant properties and "shrinking". But two columnists argue it might not be such a good idea.

June 23, 2009 - Citiwire

Back-To-Nature Plans Stall Innovation

According to this op-ed, allowing cities to de-densify undermines the importance of the city's role in society at large--namely, as a breeding ground for technological and cultural innovation.

June 23, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Ten Train Stations, Lost Forever

The loss of NY's Penn Station spurred an entire movement in historic preservation. But it was not an isolated incident- The Infrastructurist looks at 10 beautiful train stations that fell to the wrecking ball.

June 22, 2009 - The Infrastructurist

Stabilizing Housing Market May Still Prove Difficult

Obama Administration officials, speaking at a conference of real estate writers and editors, admitted that the housing crisis is far from over and administration efforts are taking time to have an effect.

June 22, 2009 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Sustainable Sites Initiative: A New Stand-alone Rating System

The National Building Museum recently held a session on Sustainable Sites Initiative, which outlines voluntary guidelines for sustainable practices.

June 20, 2009 - THE DIRT

Obama Administration Snubs Mayors

Representatives of the Obama Administration, including VP Biden, were set to be a part of the U.S. Conference of Mayors last week, but they cancelled their appearance so as not to cross a union picket line outside.

June 18, 2009 - Citiwire.net

A Frank Conversation With Ray LaHood

In this 'anything-goes' Q & A between the NYT Magazine with Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, we learn about the derivation of his name, the car he drives, and more appropriate topics liks HSR, infrastructure, and George Will.

June 18, 2009 - The New York Times - Magazine

Some Cities 'Too Much Fun'

With job cuts and cost-saving measures the watchword of the day, cities like Orlando and Las Vegas are fighting their fun-loving image to attract serious-minded conventioneers.

June 18, 2009 - The Orlando Sentinel

How are Cities Experiencing the Recession?

A new Brookings Institution study shows that American cities are experiencing the recession at "radically varying levels."

June 17, 2009 - Huffington Post

Renewable Energy System is on the Way

President Obama plans to spend billions on building an interstate highway-style system for energy.

June 17, 2009 - Discover Magazine

The Sludge Threat

Coal ash retention ponds are so numerous and so toxic that they are now considered to be a potential threat to national security.

June 17, 2009 - Huffington Post

US-Arab Annual Cities Forum Next Week

Next week, the Greater Amman Municipality will host activities of the 2nd US-Arab Forum, which will last from June 22 to June 24.

June 17, 2009 - Jordan Times

Infill is Standard Operating Procedure

The U.S. Bureau of the Census is producing new data that shows how infill development is affecting urban areas. Wendell Cox says that the new data shows that infill has been happening since 1960 with or without mandates.

June 16, 2009 - New Geography

Katrina Victims May Face Eviction

Thousands of families who are still living in temporary trailers after Hurricane Katrina face uncertainty in their housing this summer.

June 16, 2009 - The Boston Globe

Say Goodbye to Rest Stops

The state-supported rest stop, an American institution since 1956, is dying off. The rise of roadside retail and declining government coffers are to blame, says GOOD Magazine.

June 16, 2009 - GOOD Magazine

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.