The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Minneapolis Restaurants Push Back on '70/30' Food-to-Alcohol Rule
All over the country, local craft brews, and the restaurants that serve them, have been drivers of economic development and neighborhood revitalization. But a restrictive law in Minneapolis has prevented the full benefit of the industry.
Could Viable Transportation Options End Drunk Driving?
A recent article by Sommer Mathis fills a void in supportive arguments for alternative forms of transportation: giving people more and better options not to drive, especially while drunk, is a massive public safety issue.

Should Preservationists Leave Space for Parking Lots?
Here's one you probably didn't see coming. A recent pair of articles makes the case for preservationists to find ways to protect surface parking lots.
Rainwater Capture as a Game Changer for Drought-Prone Cities
During Australia's 12-year drought, cities like Brisbane cut water usage per-person-per-day by more than half. Andy Lipkis, the founder and president of TreePeople, believes Los Angeles can follow this example.
Chicago Lighting Proposal Would Turn the Wattage Up
As part of an initiative called Choose Chicago, meant to boost the city's draw for tourists, Mayor Rahm Emanuel is pursuing a plan to light the city up

What Urban Planners Fail to Grasp in Climate Action Plans
Climate mitigation and adaptation have become de rigeur aspects of urban planning for most cities, according to results from MIT's international Urban Climate Change Governance Survey. What's missing in most plans is the link to economic development.

FEATURE
Did Google Find a Low-Speed Shortcut to Fully Automated Vehicles?
Google's bold new design for a self-driving car has no steering wheel or pedals. And it has a top speed of 40 km/h. Here is a look at Google’s plans and the role low-speed automated vehicles could play in urban transportation.
MoveDC Long Range Transportation Plan Available for Public Comment
The Washington Post has a look at the initial draft of MoveDC, Washington D.C.'s Multimodal Long Range Transportation Plan, which will guide the city's transportation plans until 2040. The plan is available for public comment until July 6, 2014.
Big Plans for Garden Cities in the United Kingdom
Garden cities have been making news lately thanks to a new book by architect Robert A.M. Stern, but a design competition and policy declarations in the United Kingdom have put some serious skin in the game.
San Francisco Approves Prop B Height Restrictions
The eventuality predicted since San Francisco's Prop. B qualified for the ballot has come to pass, with more than 59 percent of San Francisco voters approving the ordinance that will require votes on developments exceeding existing height limits.
Collective Bike Rides Tell a New Story about Justice on the Streets
Stephen Snell explains how bike-riding collectives change the story about the use of public space.

More Cities Adopting 'Naked Streets'
In the second post in an ongoing "Shareable Cities" series, Mike Clay discusses "naked streets"—a democratizing, stripped-down street management concept that removes streetlights, crosswalks, and other signage.
'Seattle's Greatest Social and Economic Experiment Is about to Begin'
That's how USA Today reporter John Bacon concluded his video on the Seattle City Council's historic vote to increase the city minimum wage to $15/hour in 3-7 years depending on the business. The outcome was never in doubt due to prior deliberations.
Arguing for More Housing in the Silicon Valley
San Francisco Chronicle architecture critic John King criticizes the housing policy of cities like Mountain View, Silicon Valley home to companies like Google and LinkedIn.
Bike Lane Backlash in Atlanta
A recent local news report from Atlanta shows that a lot of citizens just aren't buying what planners and advocates are selling when it comes to complete streets.
Vermont Makes Record Investment in Transportation Infrastructure
Governor Peter Shumlin approved the largest transportation bill in Vermont history earlier this week. So what does the money go to?

Ranking the Health and Fitness of Metro Areas (Infrastructure Matters)
Melanie Haiken shares insight into the findings of the American Fitness Index (AFI), which assesses the "Health and Community Fitness Status of the 50 Largest Metropolitan Areas."
St. Louis Transportation Wish List: Bike Paths, Streetcars, Sidewalks
St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay released a wish list of projects that could be funded by a proposed sales tax to fund transportation projects.
Pending Massachusetts Zoning Code Bill Would 'Promote Sustainable Communities'
A Boston Globe editorial calls for the Massachusetts State Legislature to approve Bill H.4065 (An Act promoting the planning and development of sustainable communities).
'Rebuild by Design' Winners Announced for New York and New Jersey Resilience
HUD announced the winners of the Rebuild by Design competition yesterday, awarding $920 million to six projects in New York and New Jersey. $335 million will go toward the first phase of a 10-mile protective barrier for Manhattan.
Pagination
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Yukon Government
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Norman, Oklahoma
City of Portland
City of Laramie
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