The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Too High A Density Can Also Promote Sprawl
Densification is often promoted as a solution to sprawl, but too much density too quickly can also backfire.
Supermarket Darwinism
Detroit-area supermarkets are shrinking in face of "wholesale stores" with Walmart still to come.
Houston's Focus On Planning Gets Noticed
A Super Bowl visitor to Houston writes that although the city's reputation for visual blight is deserved, the city is catching on to good city building.
BIDs: An Export Innovation?
The mayor of Hamburg, Germany's second city, promotes the idea of "business improvement districts".
FEATURE
Too High a Density Can Also Promote Sprawl
Densification is often promoted as a solution to sprawl, but too much density too quickly can also backfire. Adequately implementing a smart growth strategy involves positive publicity, family-centric environments, and motivated developers.
A Gas Tax To Finance Transportation Infrastructure?
Alaska Rep. Don Young argues that a deteriorating transportation infrastructure burdens the economy more than a gas tax increase would.
Sustainability for Canadian Cities Possible Within A Generation
Dr. David Suzuki presents new environmental report to conference of Canadian municipal and federal leaders
Eyesore Of The Month
James Kunstler's eyesore of the month highlights architectural blunders in his home town in Upstate New York and around the country.
Fight Or Flight From A Company Town
Faced with rising complaints near a coal-fired power plant, the polluter makes an offer the people of Cheshire, Ohio can't refuse.
The Quest For The Holy Rail
Fixed rail is one of the most expensive and least effective transportation alternatives around -- why hasn't this gotten through to local officials and business leaders alike?
Retirement Villages: The Next Cash Cow?
With a forecast 195% increase in the number of 65-84 year olds in Australia to 2026, retirement villages could be the next development
What Makes A City Feel Real?
Can a city experience be packaged and delivered? Or is it something that just happens with the right combination of serendipitous elements?
Balanced Investment In Transportation Is Good Public Policy
Investment in transit and infrastructure maintenance creates more jobs than investment in new highways.
Growth Pressure, Lack Of Planning Aggravate Fire Risks
Residents continue to inundate fire-prone areas of the west even after last fall’s devastating fires claimed 25 lives and more than 3,600 homes
Melbourne Named World's Best City
Report by London-based Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) ranks Honolulu 19th, making it the top U.S. city.
California's Bullet Train Cheap By Comparison
It could cost $37 billion to connect San Diego, L.A., and San Francisco, but the alternatives may be even more expensive.
GIS in the Public Spotlight
An 'introduction' to GIS, including its debatable limitations and benefits, from garbage pick-up to homeland security.
Planners Influence Telecommunications
A regional planning agency expands its authority to telecommunications.
Leonardo da Vinci -- The Architect?
What contemporary architectural project represents the only design in the world based explicitly on plans drafted by Leonardo da Vinci?
A Little Lead Poisoning Never Hurt
Georgia lawmakers have raided the state's Hazardous Waste Trust Fund, leaving 539 toxic sites untended.
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
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.
