The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

In town for New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, Zak Stone reports on New Orleans' attempts to repopulate the city with the creative class.

June 16 - Good

While California's high speed rail project will be beneficial for the environment by turning polluting car and plane trips into zero-emission travel by train, there are formidable environmental challenges it must overcome in the construction phase.

June 16 - Los Angeles Times

A new guidebook to the architecture and culture of the North Korean capital comes in two handy volumes -- censored and illicit. Kelsey Campbell-Dollaghan has the details.

June 16 - Fast Company Co:Design

With home prices at their lowest in a decade and mortgage rates at historic lows, one would thing buying a home now would be significantly cheaper than it was five years ago. Not so, says a new study.

June 16 - The Wall Street Journal

BLOG POST

This week the American Planning Association proudly released the results of a recent poll entitled <a href=http://www.planning.org/policy/economicrecovery/>Planning in America: Perceptions and Priorities</a>, which it commissioned indicating that Americans are overwhelmingly supportive of community planning. Given the state of national politics, it's no wonder that Americans are reserving their passions for local issues. Boss Tweed and Mayor Quimby are looking like angels by comparison. Some of the results are beyond obvious -- such as the fact that 77% of Americans "agree that communities that plan for the future are stronger" -- while others could, if heeded, foretell profound changes for the profession.

June 15 - Josh Stephens

You're probably itching for a change of pace from relentlessly humorous stories we bring you every Friday. So, this week we're changing it up a bit, with the help of our friends at <em>The Atlantic Cities</em>.

June 15 - The Atlantic Cities

While cities across North America work diligently to expand their bicycle infrastructure, Toronto appears to be headed in the opposite direction, and local bike enthusiasts are taking to the streets to voice their opposition, reports Lloyd Alter.

June 15 - Treehugger

Anne Marie Chaker reports on the emergence of the "shared backyard," in which a surprising number of neighbors are combining resources to create bigger gardens and more space to entertain.

June 15 - The Wall Street Journal

Nate Berg looks at one of the overlooked challenges emerging from the world's rapid urbanization - the rise in municipal solid waste. A new report documents the problem.

June 15 - The Atlantic Cities

You've likely heard of Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh’s plans to revitalize downtown Las Vegas in advance of his company's relocation there. Whitney Pastorek profiles one young entrepreneur that's already making a difference in the neighborhood.

June 15 - Fast Company Co.Exist

A new report from the Urban Land Institute concludes that Boston's subways could become overwhelmed by widespread congestion by the end of the decade without investment in more subway cars, better power and signal systems, reports Eric Moskowitz.

June 15 - The Boston Globe

Connecting existing assets and social networks with very little additional monetary investment can generate returns in lean times, writes Hazel Borys.

June 15 - PlaceShakers

A recent study concludes that investment in wildlife refuges leads to economic rewards.

June 15 - THE DIRT

"Currently in its greatest period of park expansion since the 1930s," New York City has shown a remarkable commitment to expanding its open spaces, but finding the resources to maintain them is another issue entirely, explains Caitlin Blanchfield.

June 15 - The Architect's Newspaper

A new report from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies released this week claims that sprawl is poised to make a comeback after a pause driven by the recession, and not lasting changes in lifestyle choice, reports Robbie Whelan.

June 15 - The Wall Street Journal

From lawsuits to development pressures, Landmarks Illinois, the venerable voice for preservation in the state, has been doing its best to fend off challengers to the state's historic treasures. A new president hopes to help stiffen the defenses.

June 14 - The Architect's Newspaper

Although cities are looking to technology to help them better connect to their residents, get them involved in decision making, and share data, Silicon Valley has been slow to catch on. Emily Badger looks at one company trying to change this.

June 14 - The Atlantic Cities

Cities across the country are embracing the sharrow as a quick and low-cost means of expanding their bicycle infrastructure, but in at least a couple of cities, bike enthusiasts are questioning their effectiveness.

June 14 - Transit Miami

CityGardens is an award winning mobile app that can help tourists and residents find hidden parks and gardens in the middle of Paris.

June 14 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Lydia DePillis describes the "apartment iceberg" coming to Washington D.C. in 2013 that has developers on edge, and tenants salivating.

June 14 - Washington City Paper