The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Canada's 'Slab Farm' Blind Spot

In Canada, more people live in suburban high-rise apartment buildings than any other housing type. Doug Saunders looks at the country's belated recognition for its "elevator suburban" identity.

March 31 - The Globe and Mail

Santa Monica Battles Itself, and Consultants, Over Parking

In this supposed progressive paradise, the recent removal of a transportation consultant reveals the conflicting agendas of residents that want to reduce congestion and those who want to build more parking. Then there are those that want both.

March 30 - LA.Streetsblog

Obama's Misplaced Urban Affairs

Did you know the White House Office of Urban Affairs still exists? Neither did we, nor did the many urban leaders who haven't interacted with it in years. Ryan Holeywell examines what happened to the initiative that began with so much promise.

March 30 - Governing

Reasons to be Optimistic About Architecture's Emerging Voices

More grounded, more connected to the city and pressing contemporary challenges, and more relevant to the culture; Alan G. Brake takes the pulse of the Architectural League's Emerging Voices for 2013 and likes what he finds.

March 30 - The Architect's Newspaper

Reducing Historic Tax Credit Could Curb Development in St. Louis

A successful tax credit that boosts development and preservation in St. Louis's historic urban core is under legislative attack in Missouri.

March 30 - Next City


Mired in a Sea of Parking, Dodger Stadium Architects Design a More Urbane Experience

In renovating Dodger Stadium to enhance the fan experience, the baseball team's ownership brought together a team of architects and planners known for integrating stadiums into the urban fabric of their surroundings.

March 30 - The Planning Report

Friday Funny: Boston Plays at Being a Big City

Where would our weekly look at the humorous side of planning be without The Onion? Earlier this month, the newspaper set their satirical gaze on quaint Boston's daily "role-playing adventure" as a major American metropolis.

March 29 - The Onion


Amended Virginia Transportation Bill Backtracks on Prius Tax

In signing the funding bill that eliminates the state's 17.5-cent gas tax, Gov. Bob McDonnell reduced the new registration fee on hybrid vehicles to $64. While environmentalists remained disappointed, Moody's bond rating agency praised it highly.

March 29 - The Hill's Transportation Blog

Can Gamification Bring New Voices to the Planning Process?

A new Internet-based game hopes to expand the allure of civic engagement by making planning playful. Trial runs in Detroit and Salem, Massachusetts have already shown promise in attracting new voices to the planning process.

March 29 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Gilbert Doubles Down on Downtown Detroit With Ambitious Placemaking Plan

Rather than succumb to the negative news surrounding Detroit's dire financial situation, businessman and booster Dan Gilbert is doubling down on his extensive investment in the city with an ambitious effort to enliven downtown's public spaces.

March 29 - The Detroit News

Obama Pushes Ahead With Major Air Pollution Initiative

After 15 months of 'regulatory limbo,' a proposal to require lower-pollution vehicles and cleaner gasoline nationwide (matching a standard already in place in California) is being advanced by the Obama administration.

March 29 - The Washington Post

Miami Temperature

America's Hottest Cities May Be Its Most Sustainable

Everything you've thought about climate control may be wrong. And for that realization, you've got Michael Sivak to thank.

March 29 - The Atlantic Cities

Why S.F.'s Parking Requirements May Cause Your Building to Crumble in an Earthquake

1960s and 70s era Dingbat buildings, which are common in many California cities, may be hazardous to more than just your design sensibilities. Their much-loathed parking-oriented designs can make buildings especially vulnerable to earthquakes.

March 29 - SF.Streetsblog

A Cultural Mecca Grows in Brooklyn

With the Bloomberg administration's investments in transforming the area around the acclaimed Brooklyn Academy of Music finally bearing fruit, the emerging cultural district is earning comparisons to the city's premier arts hub - Lincoln Center.

March 29 - The Real Deal

Trend Towards Engagement Transforms America's Public Housing

Public housing models in the U.S. are becoming more community-oriented and taking varying demographics into account during the design process. Engagement with the street, the neighborhood, and social services are creating new design typologies.

March 29 - Architectural Record

With Boston Mayor's Departure, Evaluating His Imprint on the City

With longtime Boston mayor Thomas Menino's announcement that he will not seek re-election, Paul McMorrow assesses the five-term mayor's impact on the shape of the city.

March 29 - The Boston Globe

Most U.S. Rivers Are Polluted, and Getting Worse

A new study conducted by the EPA shows that 55 percent of the nation's rivers are in "poor" condition, and only 21 percent are rated as "good" and "healthy biological communities." Farm and industrial pollution are to blame.

March 28 - The Atlantic Wire

How New York's Hasidim Solved the City's Affordable Housing Problem

The certainly won't win any design awards, but new multi-family residential buildings erected by Hasidic developers in Brooklyn show that it's possible to build spacious and cheap housing in New York for families small and large.

March 28 - The New York Observer

Mexico City's New Smog-Eating Building

A new building at a Mexico City hospital has been screened with an advanced, and quite attractive, tile that breaks down the harmful pollutants in smog into less toxic substances, reports Zak Stone.

March 28 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Congress Pushes U.S. DOT to Improve Bike and Pedestrian Safety

A bipartisan group of 68 members of the U.S. House have authored a letter to outgoing Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood asking that U.S. DOT develop performance measures that will specifically target the safety of non-motorized users.

March 28 - Transportation Nation

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