The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Shanghai's Smear Campaign on Jaywalkers
In an effort to dissuade jaywalking, police in Shanghai are planning to publish pictures and videos of jaywalkers in newspapers and local TV to shame offenders.
'It's A Little Like Add Water, Instant Neighborhood'
...so says one resident of Atlanta's Inman Park neighborhood, which has gone from deserted industrial buildings to dense, urban community in four years.
Corbusier's Chandigarh Up for Preservation
A favorite target of planners, Corbusier's radical design for Chandigarh in India is being considered by UNESCO as a world heritage site.
Boston's Largest Property Owner Going Green
Equity Office Properties Trust is undertaking major green renovations for its Boston properties, citing fiscal benefits as the impetus. When complete, the work will likely serve as a model for the Company's holdings across the country.
Learning from Katrina, Three Years Later
Three years later, Hurricane Katrina has had lasting effects on New Orleans. It's also taught America some lessons about how to react to natural disasters -- and how not to.
Friday Funny: SeXXXercise Thwarted
The ACLU is helping a woman in Pittsburgh sue the city for violating her right of free expression. The city denied her occupancy permit to open a pole-dancing studio, teaching classes in "power lap dance" and "seXXXercise".
Friday Funny: The $1.01 Store?
The 99 Cents Only chain is facing a dilemma- with inflation and rising food costs, they're running out of things they can sell for only 99 cents.
'Sustainability Toolbar' Released for Google Sketchup
Integrated Environmental Solutions is releasing a free plug-in for Google's SketchUp software that allows users to run sustainability performance simulations.
Calculating Your 'Water Footprint'
Your morning cup of joe - all things considered - takes 140 liters of water to make. A new study reveals the true cost in water usage for crops and cultures.
Railroads Gaining Ground
Rail freight providers are ramping up as the cost of transporting a shipping container by truck becomes prohibitive.
Not In My Back... Balcony?
Despite it's inherent legality, lit signage atop a high-rise condominium in downtown Miami is causing many a neighbor to complain.
Stadiums Don't Pay
InTransition Magazine talks to Rick Eckstein, author of <em>Public Dollars, Private Stadiums: The Battle over Building Sports Stadiums</em> about why stadiums fail to fulfill their promises of economic revitalization.
Room for Public Art in Louisville?
In 2006, the city of Louisville set up a wall where graffiti artists were allowed to paint. But when the art started offending neighbors and officials, the wall was shut down. This article wonders if there's room for more public art in Louisville.
New Port Plans Moving Forward in Mexico
Mexico is moving forward with plans to construct a large international shipping port in Baja California -- an attempt to rival the Los Angeles-Long Beach port powerhouse.
Future Unknown For Famous But Damaged Tomb
The Tomb of the Unknowns, a 70-year-old marble monument in Arlington National Cemetery, is showing its age. With cracks and damage, some are calling on officials to make repairs, but others say it's time for a new tomb.
As Infrastructure Crumbles, Investors See Opportunity
Burned in so many different markets, private investors are now looking at city infrastructure as a safe bet.
BLOG POST
Culs-de-Sac and Grids: A Middle Ground (Or Two, Or Three)
<p> Smart growth supporters tend to prefer grid systems to cul-de-sacs, for excellent reasons. A proliferation of cul-de-sacs artificially lengthens walking distances: if streets don’t connect to each other, you might have to walk a mile to go just a few hundred feet. In addition, cul-de-sacs increase traffic congestion by dumping most vehicular traffic on a few major streets. And because biking is less safe on busy, high-traffic streets, bikers benefit from a grid system as well. </p>
Lasers May Make Nuclear Power More Efficient (and Bombs Easier to Make)
G.E. is currently experimenting with a new lased-based technology that could make nuclear enrichment much easier. This would be a boon to nuclear power, but would also make nuclear-based weapons easier to make.
Condo Towers Force Out Remaining Industries in NYC
A new round of zoning changes in NYC could mean the loss of over 20% of industrial-zoned land in the city.
L.A. Taco Trucks Can Park Again - For Now
An ordinance passed in L.A. that limited the amount of time taco trucks could be parked in one location has been overturned. However, many expect it to come back in a different form.
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.
