The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

18-Year-Old Appointed to Planning Commission

Megan Lavalley may be the youngest planning commissioner ever, appointed to serve in Manchester, Vermont beginning Oct. 22nd.

October 14 - The Manchester Journal

Study Shows Shelter Reduces Costs

A four-year study by United Way of Greater Los Angeles has shown that stable housing provides benefits to taxpayers as well as the homeless.

October 14 - Los Angeles Times

Bypassing the Blockade: Risky Business

In order to cope with the Israeli blockade, millions of dollars have been invested in tunnels between Gaza and Egypt. Israel has bombed many of them. Now investors want their money back.

October 14 - BBC News

2010 Census Faces Foreclosure Challenges

The high amount of foreclosures is expected to make things tougher for Census officials as they prepare for 2010 Census enumeration.

October 14 - The Associated Press

Economic Development or Poaching Business?

States across the US are stepping up their efforts to attract business from outside their borders. New Hampshire woos investors from its neighbors and the California-Nevada rivalry heats up.

October 14 - BBC News


Bike Across Water With the Velomobile

Inventor David Buchwaldek has created a kayak-like recumbent bike that can travel over roadways and bike directly into a body of water, becoming a tiny boat.

October 14 - Inhabitat

Of Felonies, the First Amendment, and Franks

A successful small business in Chicago has ruffled some feathers in a neighborhood grappling with crime and poverty. Why? Because Felony Franks is too unsavory a name, even for a hot dog stand that employs ex-convicts.

October 14 - The Wall Street Journal


Greywater Guerrillas

The California Building Standards Commission recently okayed the use of greywater (slightly dirty water from tubs, washing machines, etc.) to be used for irrigation. They were catching up on a revolution 20 years in the making.

October 14 - Miller-McCune

El Paso to Walk the Walk

Citing a recent study that demonstrates higher home values in walkable neighborhoods, officials in El Paso say it's time to change the way their city grows.

October 14 - El Paso Times

Getting to La Guardia: Now, A Little More Pleasant

With no subway to La Guardia Airport, travelers are forced to take a bumpy bus ride. The MTA is testing a slight change that could make the trip just a little more comfortable.

October 14 - The New York Times

There's No Place Like Home

Joel Kotkin sees a trend in a 'New Localism'- people aren't moving around like they used to, and it's causing them to reengage with their communities.

October 13 - Newsweek

Wacky, Whimsical Buildings

This slideshow features colorful, bold buildings from around the world.

October 13 - Fast Company

Big Hopes for Big Arts Center in Dallas

A new performing arts center in downtown Dallas is a sizeable addition to downtown. But is size actually the problem?

October 13 - Dallas News

First Fast Food, Now South L.A. Looks to Ban Convenience Stores

Community activists are calling for a ban on new convenience stores in South Los Angeles, a lower income part of town that saw a ban on new fast food restaurants last year.

October 13 - The Los Angeles Times

BLOG POST

The Genesis of Stalemate

<p class="MsoNormal"> <span>Some of my acquaintances believe that climate change may end human life (or at least civilization) and that the only way to save humanity is to massively reduce economic growth and consumption.<span> </span>Other acquaintances believe that climate change is, if not an outright hoax, a minor problem- and that even the slightest attempt to regulate emission-creating industries will itself destroy American civilization.<span> </span></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span> </span> </p>

October 13 - Michael Lewyn

Harmonizing New and Old in Infill

John King visits the new Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life in Palo Alto, which he sees as an example of the challenges of infill development.

October 13 - The San Francisco Chronicle

An Empty Disney High Speed Rail Station for Orlando

The Disney Corporation has announced intentions to donate land for a high speed rail station in Orlando if a Florida project is approved. But some say it's unlikely the company will encourage anyone to use their station.

October 13 - The Orlando Sentinel

Philly Suburb Cities Feeling the Pinch

Townships surrounding Philadelphia have managed to survive the recession until now, but city coffers are now going into the red and cities are being forced to take action.

October 13 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Tax District Forming for D.C. Metro Extension

A group of landowners has been assembled that can now establish a special tax assessment district to raise money for the extension of the Washington D.C. area Metro system to Dulles International Airport.

October 13 - The Washington Post

An Un-Planned Neighborhood Gets APA Award for Planning

The Houston neighborhood of Montrose was recently named one of the APA's 'Great Neighborhoods' for 2009, but as this editorial suggests, planners had nothing to do with it.

October 13 - The Houston Chronicle

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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.