The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

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Beyond CO2

<p> It’s great that global warming is finally getting its day in the media spotlight. But with all the buzz about c<em>arbon footprints </em>and <em>carbon offsets</em>, I wonder whether the average American now believes that carbon dioxide is the only pollutant that we need to worry about? <br />

June 3 - Diana DeRubertis

Philadelphia's 'Gridlock' - Too Much Of A Good Thing?

<p>Center City’s narrow streets and dense concentration contribute to an exciting and walkable urban center. Yet, the increase in visitors and residents has resulted in an increase in the number of vehicles and delivery trucks in search of parking.</p>

June 3 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Will Portland's New Transit Mall Exclude Buses?

<p>In order to accommodate the inclusion of light rail, the City of Portland decided to temporarily move its bus lines a block away. The lines have been so successful that many are starting to question if the move should be permanent.</p>

June 3 - The Oregonian

Poor Communities Victimized by Subprime Fallout

<p>Subprime lenders appears to have deliberately targeted some of America's poorest communities. The resulting wave of foreclosures could eliminate more homeowners than were added.</p>

June 3 - The Wall Street Journal

A Collaborative Approach to Eminent Domain

<p>With the fallout of Kelo v. New London, its critical that planners rethink how redevelopment happens, and who it serves.</p>

June 3 - Real Estate Issues


Alberta's Oil-Driven Construction Boom

<p>The pace of construction in oil-soaked Alberta is so intense that projects dogged by labour shortages are drawing inexperienced workers from across the country -- and complaints about shoddy construction.</p>

June 3 - The Globe and Mail

BLOG POST

Urban Issues Absent On Campaign Trail, Although Edwards Has Plans

<p><em>City Limits</em> magazine recently completed a <a href="http://www.citylimits.org/content/articles/viewarticle.cfm?article_id=3343&amp;content_type=1&amp;media_type=3">review</a> of the 18 presidential candidates&#39; stances on urban issues, and the major news is that there is no news. Most domestic issues, let alone those related to cities, don&#39;t even appear on the candidates&#39; -- or the media&#39;s -- radar screens. Their article quotes a p<span class="content2">olitical scientist who &quot;says 2008 is shaping up as &#39;yet another gigantic referendum on Bush and Iraq.&#39;&quot; The bright spots? Although <a href="/node/23153">Bill Richardson</a> has advocated for greater energy conservation and public transportation, John Edwards has articulated an intriguing <a href="http://www.johnedwards.com/about/issues/poverty/">plan</a> to end poverty in the U.S. by 2036 and <a href="http://johnedwards.com/about/issues/housing/">overhaul</a> the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">

June 2 - David Gest


A Primer on Community Cohesion

<p>The UK releases a summary report on the growing need in the country for greater 'Community Cohesion' -- or how to promote community citizenship based on greater knowledge and contact between different cultures.</p>

June 2 - IDeA Knowledge

Why The Coal-To-Liquid Fuel Alternative Is 'Unacceptable'

<p>Not all energy alternatives are created equal. In fact, some are twice as bad as gasoline from a global warming perspective. This editorial points the finger at coal-to-liquid as the worst of them and cautions Congress not to subsidize the technology</p>

June 2 - The New York Times

Commuter Rail Stymied In Atlanta

<p>Transportation Secretary Peters and the head of Georgia's Dept. of Transportation chatted about grandchildren during a recent visit, but forgot to discuss the region's stalled commuter rail project.</p>

June 2 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The World's Largest Embassy

<p>Tom Engelhardt explores the architectural and political significance of the mammoth US embassy construction project in Baghdad.</p>

June 2 - TomDispatch

Locals Concerned About Growth In Small Town Kauai

<p>On the Hawaiian Island of Kauai, small towns are grappling with plans to develop more than 4,500 housing units. Of the most concern to residents is the increased traffic and strain on roads, so they have proposed a circulation plan.</p>

June 2 - Honolulu Star Bulletin

Stricter Recycling Guidelines Upset Some In Portland

<p>Portland, Oregon, is pushing stricter regulations on the city's waste, mandating that residents and businesses recycle 75% of their waste by 2015. Many businesspeople are upset about the costs that would be associated with compliance.</p>

June 1 - Portland Business Journal

Rezoning For An Aging Suburban Population

<p>The first issue of a new journal on aging features a discussion on planning and rezoning of a suburb in response to the desires of an aging suburban population for a walkable community with mixed use and better transit services.</p>

June 1 - CCQ Capital Commons Quarterly: The Dynamics of Aging and Our Communities

Controlling Growth In Shanghai

<p>The population is growing in Shanghai, and the city is running out of space. But before it's too late, the city is crafting plans to help it achieve sustainable growth.</p>

June 1 - BBC

Iconic Hippie Neighborhood At Gentrification Crossroads

<p>Ex-hippies-turned-homeowners and younger drifters have different expectations from San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury neighborhood.</p>

June 1 - The Los Angeles Times

City Looks To Ensure Accuracy Of Its History

<p>The city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is considering testing its tour guides to ensure the accuracy of the city's rich history -- a big tourist draw and economic boon for the city.</p>

June 1 - The York Dispatch

Urban Parks: For Nature Or People?

<p>After a devastating fire, competing visions emerge for restoring Los Angeles' Griffith Park, one of the largest urban parks in the nation.</p>

June 1 - Abhijeet Chavan

BLOG POST

Once Again, Planners Descend On New Orleans

<p class="MsoNormal">It’s been said before, but it’s worth repeating – the reconstruction of New Orleans is both a planner’s dream – and a planner’s nightmare. Even before the flood waters subsided, planners and architects from around the globe descended on the Crescent City to give their take on the road to recovery. Close to two years later, a host of plans lay in the wake of the constant ebb and flow of professionals in and out of the city. Local residents are exasperated with the proposed plans and the progress of the recovery. Meanwhile, the rest of the country has seemingly lost interest.</p>

June 1 - Christian Madera

Alaskan Villages Claimed By Climate Change

<p>As the permafrost melts, villagers in small Alaskan towns are forced to abandon their homes, which are sinking and eroding before their eyes.</p>

June 1 - The New York Times

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