The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Bred in Brooklyn, Hipsters Now Colonizing the Suburbs
Facing increasing property prices, Brooklyn's hipsters must decide whether to abandon their lifestyle and recreate it "upstate."
Putting the 'Rapids' Back in Grand Rapids
After more than a century of altering the flow of the Grand River, Grand Rapids' namesake whitewater has been largely eliminated. A new proposal backed by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder would "put the rapids back in Grand Rapids."
Streetcars: The Latest Must-Have Accessory for CA's Cities
Los Angeles recently took a major step in its plan to return streetcars to downtown's streets. But they're not the only Southern California city pursuing the nation's trendy transit mode. Bill Fulton examines the attraction.
Making Placemaking Fun
Looking for new ways to explain best placemaking practices? Today's guest Shaker, Amanda Thompson, has a novel take: dance. Complete with video!
Building a Better Dune
As the destructive force of Hurricane Sandy demonstrated, all sand dunes are not created equal. But as coastal communities start to rebuild their defenses for the next storm, they're trying to close the gap with Mother Nature.
Will Other States Follow Wyoming's Lead In Raising Gas Tax?
Wyoming has gone where few states have gone recently - defied conventional wisdom that the 'gas tax is dead' and shown that it is very much alive with the Senate increasing the state excise tax by 71% (10-cents). Gov. Matt Mead is expected to sign.
Wright's Usonian High-Rises Foiled by the Great Depression
Frank Lloyd Wright's design for a Usonian high-rise on the Bowery featured rotated open floor plans to provide living space variation.
Designing a More Meaningful Bike Map
Experts have opined that up to 60 percent of residents are inclined to want to bike, but concerned about the safety of their route. Working from this premise, the city of Austin has developed a novel bike map keyed to the comfort of each street.
Livable Cities Awards Enable Healthy Urban Infrastructure
Rain water collection in Yemen, shaded bus shelters in Uganda and a pop-up modular park in Argentina are the legacy of Philips's Livable Cities Awards.
Making Smoke-free Housing Laws Strong – but Humane
As cities and counties move forward with smoke-free housing laws, a different public health concern often gets lost in the shuffle: how to make sure these new laws don’t put low-income residents at risk of losing their homes.
Why Are India's Cities So Short?
They're among the most populous cities in the world. So why are India's largest cities virtually bereft of skylines? Mark Bergen explores the answers.
BeltLine Success a Symbol of a Changing Atlanta
With just two miles of an eventual 22 transformed from old rail tracks to trails, Atlantans are enjoying a taste of the planned $2.8 billion BeltLine. Despite its early success, the future of the ambitious project is far from settled.
Friday Funny: New Feline 'Dorms' Will Be Fancy Feast for the Eyes
Florida Southern College, the National Register-listed campus that features "the largest concentration of [Frank Lloyd] Wright designed structures anywhere in the world," has found an impressive way to house its feral cats.
Play 'Name That Neighborhood'
Looking for a stimulating way to waste some time this afternoon? A new game from the inventive software developers at Code for America will test how well you know your city - down to the neighborhood.
Lack of Diversity Plagues Jacobs's Vision of Urban Change
Fifty years after Jane Jacobs published her seminal book, "her vision of urban change [has] won the day," says Inga Saffron. Though her vision of physical diversity has prevailed, "that vision is also giving us a new kind of sterility."
With 'Promise Zone' Program, Obama Looks to Aid Distressed Neighborhoods
Many have commented that for a President with a strong urban background and constituency, Barack Obama has given scant attention to urban issues. Will a new program announced today change that narrative?
Another D.C. Suburb Aims to Densify
The D.C. suburbs seem to be fertile ground for some of the nation's most ambitious retrofit projects. The latest plan to be made public would transform a 1950's era apartment and retail complex in Silver Spring, reports Jonathan O'Connell.
To Combat Pedestrian Deaths, Shift Blame from the Victim
With many states witnessing a rise in pedestrian fatalities, David M Nelson asks: "Where is the public outcry to improve safety?" With pedestrians often blamed for such incidents, he argues new laws dealing with pedestrian-vehicle crashes are needed.
With Major Bills Expiring, Can the House Find a Path Forward for Infrastructure Improvements?
Updating the U.S.'s aging infrastructure requires legislative common sense, says Rep. Bill Shuster.
London Plans Low Emissions Zone; Too Little, Too Late?
With its congestion pricing scheme, London took drastic steps to reduce the number of vehicles entering the city. With a new plan announced by Mayor Boris Johnson, the city is moving to limit the impact of those vehicles on the environment.
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
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.
