The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Need A Job? Try Appalachia!
Appalachia, long known as one of the poorest parts of the U.S. with chronically high unemployment, finds itself in the enviable position of enjoying remarkably low unemployment due to unwavering demand for its main natural resource – coal.
Holidays Bring No Savior As Retail Centers Empty
Not even the Christmas season is expected to turn things around for struggling retailers, which are dropping like leaves and littering vacancies in shopping centers across the country.
L.A. Freeway Cap Park Edges Towards Feasibility
For years, citizens have been calling for a freeway cap and park in Hollywood. Now, a preliminary design has been released and advocates say work could begin as soon as 2012 -- if funding comes through.
The Continuing Battle Over Native American Lands
Enterprising Native American communities are using their sovereignty to approve large projects that would be difficult to clear on neighboring lands, like landfills and casinos. Industry is happy to oblige, and directly targets the Native market.
Urban Subcultures and Sartorial Landscapes
An annual online photo exhibit explores the fashion subcultures of different cities, which are often defined by musical tastes.
Experiments Validate Broken Windows Theory
The controversial theory that social and physical disorder is a cause of neighborhood crime has been successfully demonstrated with a series of six experiments.
A New 'Wave' On Toronto's Waterfront
Toronto has created new public space where there was none, building a curvy wooden plaza designer Adriaan Geuze calls a 'WaveDeck' directly over the water.
Preserving Wildlife in the DMZ
The demilitarized zone dividing North and South Korea has become one of the world's most important wildlife conservation sites.
New Orleans' Streetcars Make a Comeback
All of Canal Street's red streetcars were damaged by Hurricane Katrina, but up to nine restored streetcars may be in service by the end of the year.
London Blitz, Redux
A combination of economic crises and a tax code based on square footage rather than rentals is encouraging a raft of demolitions that is leaving parts of London looking like it's been bombed again.
Transit Hero Featured In Seattle Column
This column deals with two Seattle issues: one political - the victory of a transit measure on Nov. 4 that will direct $18 billion to light rail; the other human - a Sierra Club activist who made the campaign for Prop 1 a full time job.
Santa Monica Bans Exercising on Traffic Medians
After noise complaints by residents nearby, any exercise that takes place on a grassy traffic median in Santa Monica that can qualify as "congregating" has been banned.
Mapping Out More than Land Mass
Cartographer Mark Newman's new book, 'The Atlas of the Real World', includes maps that show more than just 'how many acres there are in a country.' Malaria cases and health care spending per capita are among some of Newman's unconventional maps.
London Becoming a Bike City
Cycling is on the rise in London, where thousands of commuters fill the streets every morning and the number of trips has more than doubled since 2000.
BLOG POST
Thanksgiving
<p class="MsoNormal"> Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I thought I would ask myself: what I am thankful for that is related to urbanism? </p>
Technology Brings Remote Town a Little Closer
Ten Sleep, Wyoming is home to a booming new company that teaches English online to students in Korea. The town of 350 people is a testament to how the reaches of broadband connectivity allows high-tech business to flourish even in remote areas.
New Yorkers Still Oppose Park Redesign Already Underway
Plans to redesign New York City's Washington Square Park have been hotly protested by community members since their inception. The work is already underway, but the opposition sentiment remains.
The Cautionary Tale of Vallejo
Vallejo, CA declared bankruptcy last spring, felled by fiscal mismanagement and falling property taxes. Cities around the country are looking to Vallejo's example as they teeter near the edge.
Greening New York From the Street Up
This article from <em>The American Prospect</em> profiles New York City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan and examines her influence on the city's green agenda.
FEATURE
Community-Based Progress in Post-Katrina New Orleans
The grieving period has ended, and now resilient New Orleaneans are taking it upon themselves to rebuild their beloved city. Though it's sure to be a slow process, this could very well be community organization at its best.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
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.
