The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

The Plight of Minority Architects

<p>This article from <em>Next American City</em> looks at the decreasing numbers of minority architects and the possible problems this shortage poses to the field and to the planning of cities.</p>

April 3 - The Next American City

The Fiscal Power of Public Art

<p>The upcoming public art project by artist Olafur Eliasson that will place free-standing waterfalls in the waters around New York City highlights the power public art has to generate economic development and revenue for cities.</p>

April 3 - The Christian Science Monitor

Transplanting A Forest

<p>A real estate developer in Southhampton Village, New York is planting over 400 mature trees on an undeveloped plot of land -- hoping to recreate the area's historic scenery and make a fortune in the process.</p>

April 2 - The New York Times

Building Sustainably For Dummies?

<p>A new book from Landscape Architect Professor Carl Smith provides designers with an easy-to-use checklist for building sustainable housing.</p>

April 2 - University of Arkansas

Using Fees On Motorists To Fund Public Transit

<p>A bill introduced in Sacramento could pave the way for Los Angeles County to raise $400 million dollars a year for public transit from motorists -- who'd pay more for gas or vehicle registration.</p>

April 2 - The Los Angeles Times


Sydney Contemplating Tearing Down Freeway

<p>Sydney Mayor Clover Moore has suggested that the road be demolished, and a recent report from planning experts indicates the plan would not bring the city's traffic to a halt.</p>

April 2 - The Sydney Morning Herald

Less Government, But More Roads Please

<p>Conservatives and libertarians who admonish government spending and transit subsides still support new road and highway construction, and the state power and funding they typically require.</p>

April 2 - Governing


Hurdles and Speedbumps Slow New Orleans Recovery

<p>One year after the city announced its broad redevelopment plans, many are unhappy with the rate of recovery in New Orleans.</p>

April 2 - The New York Times

Saving The Neighborhood, One Signature At A Time

<p>A arcane provision in the New York City Charter that increases the threshold for a zoning change approval to a three-fourths vote of the city council may help opponents defeat a proposed rezoning of 125th Street in Harlem.</p>

April 2 - The New York Times

Remembering Architect Ralph Rapson

<p>The former dean of the University of Minnesota School of Architecture, and the designer of the original Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, passed away this weekend at age 93.</p>

April 2 - Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Pittsburgh Wrestling With New LED Billboards

<p>A six-month moratorium on new billboards has been passed by the Pittsburgh City Council as it struggles to formulate a policy for brightly lit LED signs.</p>

April 2 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Skybridges Kill Streetlife

<p>A graduate planning student at the University of Utah has compiled a report on the effect of skybridges as part of her efforts to combat the proposed skybridge for downtown Salt Lake City.</p>

April 2 - Deseret Morning News

NYC Congestion Pricing Plan Clears Another Hurdle

<p>The New York City Council has approved Mayor Michael Bloomberg's plan to charge drivers $8 to enter Manhattan.</p>

April 1 - The New York Times

Fifty Criteria to Rate Smart Growth Developments

<p>Atlanta's Livable Communities Coalition has begun scoring development projects on 50 smart growth criteria and has recommended approval of its first project, a mixed-use development in Cobb County.</p>

April 1 - Atlanta Journal Constitution

Philly's Planning Process Revamp Moving Ahead Slowly

<p>With a growing consensus for change, the challenge for the Philadelphia's leaders now is figuring out how to actually fix the city's planning and zoning system.</p>

April 1 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Congress Eyes Federal Assistance for Homeowners

<p>Congressional leaders are preparing to propose dramatic new federal initiatives to help homeowners squeezed by the mortgage crisis. Most Republicans -- and the White House -- remain unconvinced that a federal role is appropriate.</p>

April 1 - Yahoo! News

Putin Plans to Propose Russia-U.S. Tunnel

<p>Former Russian president Vladimir Putin has announced his intentions to propose that Russia and the United States move forward with plans from the early 20th century to build a 64-mile tunnel between the two countries.</p>

April 1 - The Times (UK)

Chavez Seeks Shangri-La with 'Socialist Cities'

<p>Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is pushing plans to create "21st century socialist cities" -- communities based on public participation and cooperation -- juxtaposed next to fiercely capitalist developments in the rest of the country.</p>

April 1 - The Christian Science Monitor

Building in the Danger Zone

<p>This article from <em>Next American City</em> looks at the new land use ideas that are guiding development in disaster-prone areas.</p>

April 1 - The Next American City

Cities Putting Officials in Charge of Sustainability

<p>As cities get serious about addressing climate change, a new city position -- the sustainability director -- is taking office all over the country.</p>

April 1 - Governing

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