The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Enterprise or Chaos? Cairo's DIY Urbanism

Michael Kimmelman examines the race to rebuild and redefine post-revolutionary Cairo, where residents are recreating the city and civic society, and reclaiming public spaces, from the bottom-up.

April 29 - The New York Times

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'Dam Slow City

Amsterdam feels "cozy" because the city's efforts to manage mobility results in an average speed for all modes of 15kph/10mph.

April 28 - Ian Sacs

Successional Urbanism: An Interview with Andrés Duany

Architect and town planner Galina Tachieva sits down with New Urbanism innovator Andrés Duany to discuss the big and small topics on his mind today: lean urbanism, successional urbanism and the Transect, the orthodoxy of the small block, and more.

April 28 - Terrain.org: A Journal of the Built + Natural Environments

Your Chance to Build a Neutra Case Study House

In an unusual move, Richard Neutra’s son has announced plans to license the mid-century modernist’s house plans, reports Adrian Glick Kudler.

April 28 - Curbed LA

China Subway Binge: Too Much Too Fast?

If plans by Chinese officials are followed, 38 cities across the country will have subway lines by the end of the decade. The Economist asks if that might be 20 too many, as shiny subways steer investment from other forms of transit.

April 28 - The Economist


Sierra Club Changes Position on Immigration

Ever since the divisive, internecine battles almost a decade ago, Sierra Club has steered clear of taking decisive postions on immigration - until April 24 when their board unanimously endorsed a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

April 28 - Daily Grist

George W. Bush Library an Architectural Embodiment of the President's Self-Image

The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which was dedicated this past week, is a rare glimpse into the former president’s understanding of his own legacy, writes Henry Grabar.

April 28 - Atlantic Cities


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The Global TechniCity

Tom Sanchez (Virginia Tech) and I decided to offer a free course to a global audience. The response has been phenomenal with more than 17,000 people participating. Learn about what the globe has to say about technology in cities.

April 27 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

America's Biggest Bookworms

Amazon.com has compiled its third annual list of the 20 'most well-read' cities in America. The results may surprise you.

April 27 - Time

Conserving the Biodiversity of Massachusetts in a Changing World

BioMap2 is designed to guide strategic biodiversity conservation in Massachusetts over the next decade by focusing land protection and stewardship on the areas that are most critical for ensuring the long-term persistence of rare and native species.

April 27 - Terrain.org: A Journal of the Built + Natural Environments

Despite Governor's Reluctance, CEQA Reform Proceeds in CA

Just last week it was reported that Gov. Jerry Brown had given up on trying to reform the state's landmark environmental law this year. State Senate leader Darrell Steinberg must not have gotten the memo.

April 27 - California Planning & Development Report

TIGER Trains Transportation Planners to Think Different

In the first entry in a multi-part series looking at the federal government's Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program, Tanya Snyder looks at the impact the program has had on transportation planning and funding.

April 27 - DC.Streetsblog

Empty Parking Lot

Has Seattle Solved the Science of Parking Demand?

Parking regulations are generally formulated as uniform standards that apply to hundreds or thousands of parcels equally, often resulting in overbuilt supply. But what if planners could anticipate the parking demand down to the parcel?

April 27 - The Atlantic Cities

Friday Funny: 15 Mid-Century Modern Death Traps

With their flexible open spaces, right angles, and expanses of glass, mid-century modern houses are coveted by those homeowners with a keen design sense. And, as Projectophile illustrates, it's best if those homeowners don't have children.

April 26 - Projectophile

Amtrak: A Victim of its Own Success

At a recent congressional hearing, Amtrak president Joseph Boardman told Senators that the railroad is facing a 'crisis of success.' Amtrak's increasing ridership, especially in the Northeast Corridor, will lead to deteriorating service, he warned.

April 26 - philly.com

Is the Bangladesh Building Collapse the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire of This Century?

As the death tool passes 300 from the horrific collapse of an 8-story garment factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh, thoughts turn to New York City's Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911. Can some good follow this disaster, as it did in New York?

April 26 - The New York Times

As Natural Gas Prices Rise, Utilities Turn Toward Coal

An Ohio utility is switching to coal due to the rising price of natural gas, illustrating how sensitive fuel prices are to utilities. However, when it comes to building new plants - natural gas has the advantage due to coal's higher capital costs.

April 26 - The Columbus Dispatch

Lighting Revolution Produces Radiant Visions of Our Future

The technological advances transforming "Edison’s 130-year-old industry" promise to revolutionize the way light is integrated in our homes, workplaces, and cities.

April 26 - The New York Times

Bogota Plans Mass Tactical Urbanism Offensive

This weekend, Bogota, Colombia will launch its second 100en1día (100 in 1 day) event, a blitz of urban interventions meant to multiply the impact of citywide citizen activism exponentially. Cities across the world are following their lead.

April 26 - This Big City

Get Ready for 'Divvy', Chicago's Soon to Launch Bike-Share System

Jon Hilkevitch details the roll-out of the Second City's first bike-share system. The handsome three-speed bikes painted in "Chicago blue" will start appearing on city streets in June.

April 26 - Chicago Tribune

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