The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Obama's High Speed Rail Plans
Neal Peirce looks at President Barack Obama's ambitious plans for high speed rail and the significant obstacles that stand in its way.
Reviving the Rust Belt
<em>Smart City</em> talks with grass roots and civic leaders about how to revitalize flagging Rust Belt economies.
Cities Call Sustainability a Top Priority
Five out of every six major U.S. cities claims sustainability is one of its top priorities.
10-Cent Gas Tax Needed for Dallas-Fort Worth Transit
It would take at least an additional 10-cent tax on gasoline to fund transit and transportation projects in metropolitan Dallas-Fort Worth, according to city officials who want to ask voters to allow the increases.
Dukakis (Hearts) Rail
'Dukakis is a rail man,' says Alex Marshall, after the man speak on his history with Amtrak and promoting and building rail in Boston. The cure to our transit woes, according to Dukakis, is competence.
1/3rd of U.S. Freeways in 'Poor or Mediocre' Condition
A report released today by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) details the deteriorating state of American interstates and highways, and how much it's costing us.
Working With Local Business to Take the Poo Out of Parks
Frustrated with dog poop in his neighborhood park, a Denver resident has initiated a program that places locally-sponsored poop bagging and disposal kiosks in parks throughout the city.
Washington, Stop Promoting Homeownership
Steven Malanga looks back at a century of efforts by Washington to promote homeownership, which he says 'has produced one calamity after another.'
High-Speed Rail Means Real Estate Boom
Peter Gertler of HNTB says that the Obama administration's high-speed rail investments will attract new development around stations.
Areas Near Grand Canyon Approved for Mining
Despite a congressional ruling last year that prevents them, wight uranium mining operations have been approved near the Grand Canyon.
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The World's Greatest Threat: Cul-De-Sacs?
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Promising New Technology for Tidal Power
Testing is underway in the U.K. on 'Anaconda', a giant rubber 'snake' that converts tidal wave energy to electricity. A full-sized Anaconda could reportedly power 1,000 homes.
Public Parks Seeking Private Funding in Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida is hoping private funding will come through to save the city's parks, which officials say they can't afford to build or maintain.
Climate Change Spurs Need for Better Fire Management
Controlling fire has never been a strong suit for humans. Now, as climate change sets in, the need for better fire management is becoming dire, according to researchers.
Vancouver's Sustainable Olympic Village
With goals of LEED-certification and plans for reuse after the games, Vancouver's Olympic Village is being called a model for event-based sustainability.
The Most Bicycle-Friendly Cities
The League of American Bicyclists has released their Spring 2009 list of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the U.S. Davis, CA is one of only three cities given Platinum status, along with Portland, OR and Boulder, CO.
Car Factory Revives Georgia City
West Point, Georgia began to decline when the textile industry moved out. Now, it's experiencing a renaissance as a new car factory moves into town, bringing 20,000 jobs by 2014.
Concept Trains from the Retro-Future
WebUrbanist gathers an extensive assortment of fantastic, futuristic, pseudo-scientific train designs, including a steamship that rolls out of the ocean on tracks.
Privatized Town Going Public
A Georgia town that had outsourced its municipal services to a private company is ending its contract, citing budgetary restraints.
At Long Last, A Park on the Passaic?
A park proposed for Newark's Passaic River waterfront has been an unfulfilled vision for at least a decade. But city officials say the Trust for Public Land will help radically speed up plans for a park.
City of Clovis
City of Moorpark
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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.
