The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

A recent article addresses the illogical planning agenda set by states (Missouri, in this case) because local governments (St. Louis, in this case) lack a coherent planning vision. The situation is surely not unique in the annals of planning.

May 8 - nextSTL.com

The GOP-backed 2015 Appropriations Bill would cut funding for TIGER grants, historically a friend to cities and metro areas looking for funding for multi-modal programs, and make it, essentially, a roads program.

May 8 - Streetsblog USA

The popularity of Google Maps is well-documented, and as more users are using the software on their phones (remember when you had to print maps before you left your home or office?), Google's recent updates includes a bunch of new mobile features.

May 8 - Gizmodo

If President Obama is waging a "war on coal," as his critics claim, then Europe must be enjoying a love affair with America's high-carbon fossil fuel, and the most polluting variety at that. How could the world's greenest continent turn so brown?

May 8 - The Wall Street Journal - Business

In a big victory for safe streets, New York City has released to the public an online database of crash data for the city. Previously, poor and incomplete data made creating safe streets "next to impossible."

May 8 - WNYC: Transportation Nation

Jeff Caldwell, of Litchfield Landscape Elements, goes out on a limb and names the five best examples of American architecture. Is he right?

May 8 - UrbDeZine

Richard Florida opines that among many factors in the most walkable neighborhoods, "[who] our neighbors are, and how similar or different they are from us, matters too."

May 8 - Atlantic Cities

BLOG POST

The “Status of the Nation’s Highways, Bridges, and Transit: Conditions and Performance, Report To Congress” is intended to provide a comprehensive and objective evaluation of our transportation system. Let’s evaluate this evaluation.

May 8 - Todd Litman

BLOG POST

Niehoff Urban Studio brings students from different departments together to work on bettering Cincinnati's built environment.

May 8 - Anna Bergren Miller

The MonkeyParking app works similarly to sharing economy stars Airbnb or Uber, except for sale is an inside line on parking spaces. That means that private users would be auctioning the use of public space. That can't be legal, can it?

May 7 - Uptown Almanac

A new book explains how suburban dwellers have built "zoning rules, housing covenants and other mechanisms" to protect "their privileged place in the residential pecking order."

May 7 - The Washington Post

The decision to decommission the San Onofre power plant came in June 2013, after a radiation leak shut down the plant in January 2012. The process of decommissioning the plant, however, might take decades.

May 7 - KPCC

After past attempts to redevelop the downtown of Michigan's third largest city failed, Warren's mayor believes that the city's downtown and civic center is ready to transform into a bustling urban environment. What will it take to make that happen?

May 7 - Detroit Free Press

Designed properly, roundabouts enhance placemaking and the pedestrian experience.

May 7 - Better! Cities & Towns

"The inaugural Guardian Cities brand barometer ranks world cities on everything from transport and weather to crime and social 'buzz.'" Guardian Cities released a trio of posts in connection with the rankings.

May 7 - Guardian Cities

Impact investing isn't just a new source of funding for nonprofits from the private sector. The government can (and should!) be a catalyst in shaping the market through policies that support investments with a greater social impact.

May 7 - Shelterforce

According to an opinion piece by Mimi Zeiger, "urban magistrates are appearing more frequently as personas on the architectural scene as designers tackle questions of the fate of the city." What can design-savvy mayors offer architects?

May 7 - Dezeen

BLOG POST

Resiliency is rapidly influencing urban sustainability and hazard mitigation planning. Global Green has identified key questions and findings through Sustainable Neighborhood Assessments in four communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

May 7 - Walker Wells

BLOG POST

A "Race to the Top" proposal for HUD to help off-set the difficulties of delivering affordable housing in high-priced, high-mobility metros.

May 7 - Shane Phillips

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the details of the "Housing New York" plan this week. The plan will guide the de Blasio Administration toward its goal of creating 200,000 affordable housing units in the city.

May 7 - New York Times