The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
The Underappreciated Cable Car
When people talk about cable cars, they picture San Francisco's quaint trolleys. But cable-propelled transit (CPT) is a viable transportation option in the 21st century, argues Steven Dale.
Omaha's Design Board Throws a Wrench in Revitalization
The new urban design review board once again deems that a publicly backed project doesn't do enough to encourage activity on the street and sends the Downtown Improvement District back to the drawing board.
Should Planners Always Strive for Efficiency?
The backlash against red-light cameras provide a cautionary tale for those who want to cut costs and raise revenue through technology.
American Cities Awaken From 35-Year Parking Policy Coma
Planning policies that produce cheap, abundant parking are fundamentally at odds with efforts to promote transit, biking, and walking. A new report from ITDP shows how some cities have started to align parking policies with sustainable transport.
'Drive 'til You Qualify' Foreclosures on the Rise
Long commute + High Fuel Costs = Home Losses in Exurbs.
Housing for Haitians
Andres Duany has designed a prefab house specifically for the victims of the Haitian earthquake. 1,000 of them are on their way to the island now.
How New York Lost Its Sidewalks
Streetsfilms launches a new series they're calling "Fixing the Great Mistake.”
Fighting Against Cheap Parking
This post from <em>GOOD</em> looks at a bill from California state senator Alan Lowenthal that seeks to incentivize cities into reforming their parking rules.
Driving on the Rise in America
After more than two years of declines in American driving patterns, the amount of driving seems to be on the rise.
Poverty Heads to the Suburbs
The migration of America's low income population is spreading to the suburbs. But the suburbs aren't ready to handle the influx, according to this piece.
Bay Area Naval Base Approved for Neighborhood Conversion
A former Naval weapons station in Concord, California will be converted into a new, 12,000-home neighborhood.
BLOG POST
Vancouver Olympics a Living Laboratory for Urbanism!
<p> Among the countless stories being written on the successes and challenges of these 2010 Olympic Winter Games, not surprisingly the most interesting stories to me are those that speak to the challenges of great urbanism. As a host city, Vancouver has become a massive urban laboratory, with so many opportunities to learn, and we’re soaking it all up.<br /> <br /> As we are coming to the end of the final week, a few examples of big experiments and learnings come to mind.<br />
Nail in the Coffin for Hummer
After a last-ditch attempt to sell the Hummer brand to a Chinese company fell through, GM has declared it will shut it down.
A Win for WalMart
A pro-smart growth group in Lockport, NY attempted to stop a WalMart Supercenter from being built in their town, but the state supreme court rejected their appeal.
Smart Growth On The Hill
HUD, DOT and EPA have pulled together under the Obama administration's direction to create sustainable communities, and Sen. Chris Dodd is trying to make it official with a new office under HUD. But can smart growth policies survive the politics?
Parks on Top of L.A. Freeways
Los Angeles is crazy for "cap parks": basically, putting roofs over sections of freeway and building a park on top. The added benefit? Reconnecting neighborhoods riven asunder by the freeway in the first place.
Are Cities Being Sold off to the "Shadow Elite"?
Facing enormous budget shortfalls created in part by the recession, mayors and governors are increasingly turning to the sale of public assets - often to the very Wall Street businesses that helped fuel the crash, writes Donald Cohen.
Detroit's $20 Million Demolition Plan
The city of Detroit has enough money to tear down between one-quarter and one-third of the city's 10,000 abandoned houses.
Interview With 'Sustainability Czar' Shelley Poticha
OK, there is no such czar, but now that Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities is established, why not be creative? Poticha is former CEO of Reconnecting America, and before that, Congress for the New Urbanism.
The Biggest Misconceptions About the Census and Demographics
<em>The Brookings Institution</em> lists out the five biggest myths and misconceptions about the Census and the way demographics change in the U.S.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
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.
