The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
'Wood Waste' Power Plant Raises Questions in Texas
The city of Austin considers a multi-billion dollar investment in a "biomass" power plant, burning wood waste in East Texas as a carbon-neutral, renewable energy source.
Boise Looks to Streetcars for Urban Renewal
Boise considers resurrecting their streetcar system after an 80 year absence.
Will New England Face a 'Frozen Katrina'?
With heating oil expected to be 36% more expensive, natural gas twice that amount, and LIHEAP funding lower than it was in the 1980s, there are grave warnings that the northeastern U.S. could be facing a "frozen Katrina" this winter.
British Columbia Considers Carbon-Neutral Construction By 2020
In British Columbia, a proposal to require all new buildings to be carbon-neutral is being considered. The rule would require that buildings have no carbon footprint by 2020.
The New King of Scotland
Allan Murray's architectural vision is habing a signficant influence on the future of development in Edinburgh. This column from <em>The Times</em> wonders if putting the future of a city in one man's hands is such a good idea.
Plans Vary for Foreclosure Relief Funds
Foreclosure-stricken cities and states are looking forward to receiving federal relief funding. Their plans for using the funding vary.
Troubles for D.C.'s Building Repair Program
A Washington D.C. project to clean up and repair dilapidated buildings in the city is coming under scrutiny for shoddy work and millions of dollars in public money that are virtually unaccounted for.
BLOG POST
Walkable Neighborhood Grocers
<p> </p> <p> Costco may be <a href="http://www.nysun.com/new-york/costco-eyes-a-manhattan-site-but-draws-political/82797/" target="_blank">coming to Manhattan</a>, bringing 2300 parking spaces with it.
Best Towns in the U.S.
Outside Magazine looks at the best cities and towns for working, living and playing, with a focus on places that have experienced a renewal.
Historic Company Town Called 'New Urbanist'
Roebling, New Jersey is a company town built around a steel wire factory. But founder John A. Roebling had a few ideas about making a community there, as a new museum attests.
Baseball Stars Commute By Bike
At last count, the Baltimore Orioles clubhouse includes six regular bike commuters including up-and-coming pitcher Jeremy Guthrie.
Rome's Battle With Contemporary Architecture
The only modern building in Rome's historic center, a Richard Meier designed museum, is considered offensive enough that it may not last in its current form.
Forget Coffeehouses- Businesses Want Freeways, Labor, Energy
Manufacturing still matters, and what manufacturers want hasn't changed much. The question is whether a "new economy" state like California can compete in the old economy.
Vacation Home Shareholding
The American trend of "fractional ownership", a real estate concept in which a number of investors own fractions of vacation homes, has moved to Europe.
The $1 Home
A foreclosed property in Detroit was recently put on the market at a selling price of just one dollar.
Chicago Region Loses Billions Each Year Thanks to Traffic Congestion
A new report from the Metropolitan Planning Council pegs the annual cost of congestion to the Chicago region at $7.3 billion.
Flood Forecasting Goes 3D
New modeling software could soon be available that would allow monitoring across the internet of flood levels in specific areas- like your backyard.
Pittsburgh Takes Steps Toward Bike-Friendliness
Pittsburgh becomes first city in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to hire a full-time bike/pedestrian coordinator.
BLOG POST
Crime and urban design: Oscar Newman 36 years later
<p> I recently read Oscar Newman’s 1970s book on crime prevention, “Defensible Space.” In this book, Newman addressed the question of why some public housing projects are insanely dangerous, and others only moderately so. Although Newman’s analysis is mostly confined to low-income housing, commentators of all stripes have relied on his work: new urbanist commentator Laurence Aurbach asserts that Newman’s work supports new urbanists’ emphasis on heavily trafficked, walkable streets (1) while Randall O’Toole considers Newman to be a defender of single-use, cul-de-sac sprawl (2). <br />
Freakonomics Investigates Suburbia
Urban experts weigh in on the future of the suburbs.
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.
