The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

<p>In a last-minute effort to beautify the city before the start of the 2008 Summer Olympics, officials in Beijing have put up walls and screens to hide unsightly neighborhoods from the eyes of visitors. Those behind the walls are not happy.</p>

July 31 - The New York Times

<p>Stores in Vancouver suburbs have installed a device outside their stores called a 'Mosquito' that emits a high-pitched frequency that the average adult can't hear. The device is effective in decreasing vandalism, but at what cost to public space?</p>

July 31 - The National Post

BLOG POST

<p class="MsoNormal"> Visual communication is becoming more sophisticated in planning, however many online image sources are restricted and require payment for use. Others, such as flikr.com and Google Images are extremely useful but have uneven quality and information provided about the images can be difficult to assess. While flckr.com and Google Images will remain a key resource, a number of other online image databases provide more consistent metadata along with free access. </p>

July 31 - Ann Forsyth

<p>In the face of alarming obesity rates among many of its low-income residents, LA's City Council has voted to approve a moratorium on the construction of new fast-food restaurants in South LA.</p>

July 31 - The Globe and Mail

<p>'The Brownstones' is the name of a new housing development in Oklahoma City, an example of how urbanity is becoming a lifestyle choice. The video is highly promotional, but is worth watching to see the 'brownstone style" development in its setting.</p>

July 31 - The Oklahoman

<p>The amount of people living in homeless shelters and on U.S. streets has dropped roughly 30% since 2005, according to recent statistics compiled by the federal government.</p>

July 31 - The New York Times

<p>Want to be a rebel, a real counter-culturalist? This commentary says it's easy: ride a bike.</p>

July 31 - Globe Gazette

<p>The Bay Area's transportation agency, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, approved a comprehensive plan for regional High Occupancy Toll lanes, mostly from conversions of existing and already-planned carpool lanes, totaling almost 800 miles.</p>

July 31 - The San Francisco Chronicle

<p>Hiking and cycling traffic on the Great Allegheny Passageway has brought jobs and prosperity to small towns along the route.</p>

July 30 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

<p>Last year, Sierra Madre voters passed Measure V, which placed strict limits on the size of downtown developments, effectively killing a specific plan that was in process. Now, the city council is fighting over releasing the plan's unfinished EIR.</p>

July 30 - Pasadena Star-News

<p>Governing Magazine takes a look at the light rail explosion in the Southwest, particularly in Phoenix, where weather is a major factor in ridership.</p>

July 30 - Governing Magazine

<p>Allison Arieff reports on the latest happenings in urban agriculture, including the planting of a full-scale edible landscape in her own backyard.</p>

July 30 - The New York Times

<p>A new study by the University of Utah shows that people who live in walkable neighborhoods are more likely to be leaner than those who live in auto-oriented areas.</p>

July 30 - The Salt Lake Tribune

<p>President George W. Bush signed into law a package of housing legislation intended to ease the burden on thousands of borrowers who face losing their homes. The legislation will also bail out major mortgage financiers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.</p>

July 30 - The New York Times

<p>A public art piece/commentary on alternative transportation, the Pedal Cloud is a Volkswagen chassis with seats for 10 pedalers and one driver. </p>

July 30 - Pedal Cloud

<p>Paul Shigley reflects on the impact of a Starbucks closing in downtown Redding, a small town in northern California.</p>

July 30 - California Planning & Development Report

<p>Its efforts to reduce air pollution in advance of the Olympics failing, Beijing is considering even more draconian measures, including removing up to 90% of cars from the streets.</p>

July 30 - The Globe and Mail

<p>A surge in demand from China and India -- as well as economic troubles domestically -- are leading to an epidemic of infrastructure and scrap theft in Canada.</p>

July 30 - The Globe and Mail

<p>At a time when highway infrastructure is already facing challenges such as the rising costs of concrete and steel, a change in driving habits is causing a major reduction in available funds.</p>

July 29 - The Wall St. Journal

<p>As the worst recycler amongst the 30 largest American cities, Houston has a lot of trash on its hands. But many obstacles stand in the way of the city closing the loop.</p>

July 29 - The New York Times