The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Is L.A. More Crowded Than New York?

In "L.A. the King of Sprawl, Not at All," Robert Bruegmann reports that Los Angeles is one of the densest areas in the country. His article reinforces the notion that L.A. is already a very dense place, but is it true?

September 20 - Livable Places

Cuba's Crumbling Infrastructure

Even as its economy improves, Cuba instructure is falling apart.

September 20 - The Los Angeles Times

Atlanta's MARTA System Looks To Change Image

Care to ride a bus shaped like a fish? Sample a new sofa on a rapid-transit train? See locally produced artworks? MARTA's marketing consultant says you might. But the system's riders just want on-time arrivals.

September 20 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Report Shows UK Land Levy Ineffectual

A proposed land levy in the UK that is intended to raise funding for local governments has been shown in recent reports to fail to increase the amount of money trickling down to local municipalities.

September 20 - Contract Journal

Anti-Sprawl Law Revised To Encourage Sprawl

Revision to a Maryland state homebuying assistance program is catching some resistance from smart growth advocates as changed language seems to go against the original anti-sprawl intent.

September 20 - The Baltimore Sun


Universities Green For Many Purposes

Colleges and universities are finding innovative ways to be community leaders in waste reduction, renewable energy and green procurement. But their reasons are not selfless.

September 20 - Grist

Stockholm Adopts Congestion Charge

Voters in Stockholm, Sweden approve a measure to charge motorists a fee to drive into the city center.

September 20 - Streetsblog


What Is This Thing Called Sprawl?

The concept of sprawl and its attributes are broken down in simple terms in this Q&A with Indiana University Professor John Ottensmann.

September 20 - Journal and Courier

Community Voices Heard in L.A.

Neighborhood Councils in Los Angeles have stopped the city's elected Council from using a misleading title for a ballot initiative facing voters in November. The volunteer groups are moving closer to providing a voice for the community at City Hall.

September 20 - The Los Angeles Times

The Rebirth of Rivers

Impressed by the successful 'rebirth' of rivers like the Clyde, cities are scrutinizing waterfront redevelopment projects and adding rivers to their civic portfolios.

September 19 - Sunday Herald

Understanding First Ring Suburbs

A presentation from a recent meeting of city officials in New Jersey offers information about the direction of first-ring suburbs, many of which find themselves in the crossfire of the urban-suburban divide.

September 19 - The Brookings Institution

California Emission Law Has Its Day In Court

In U.S. District Court in Fresno on Sept. 15, a California deputy attorney general asked Judge Ishii to dismiss a suit by the auto industry that would void the state's new emission standards, applicable in 2009, that target carbon dioxide.

September 19 - AP via Los Angeles Daily News

Sprawl: History Or Myth?

A critical review of Robert Bruegmann's book 'Sprawl: A Compact History' asserts that Bruegmann's work exemplifies several common myths about sprawl.

September 19 - Social Science Research Network

Go, West? Not So Fast

The Rocky Mountain West, an area where people were content to let others do what they pleased with their land, is moving towards increasing growth controls as the region's population explodes.

September 19 - New West

Downsizing Affordable Housing

With small lots and small houses, one Florida home builder is taking an unconventional approach to developing affordable housing.

September 19 - Bradenton Herald

Cooling Cities With Green

Research shows that New York City's heat island could be mitigated by increased vegetation and green roofs.

September 19 - NASA

Inside America's Sewage System

Julie Grant of WKSU in Kent, Ohio, goes underground to find out what's wrong with our nation’s sewage systems and discover the rising costs of urban sewage system management.

September 19 - Living on Earth

Some Say LEED Is Lacking

The LEED green building standards may not be green enough, as critics voice concerns over some allowed materials and an apparent building industry influence.

September 19 - L.A. Weekly

Bush U-Turn On Global Warming Rumored

Is the Bush administration planning a dramatic reversal of its policy on global warming?

September 19 - The Independent

Beijing To Ban Cars At 2008 Olympics

To reduce traffic congestion and pollution, officials in Beijing will prohibit the use of private cars at sporting events during the 2008 Olympic Summer Games.

September 18 - International Herald Tribune

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