The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

A $1.5-Billion Forward Pass by L.A. City Council

Unanimous approval of the five-year outline to build a 72,000-seat football stadium in Downtown L.A. goes to show that the City Council is all game for a politically radioactive project.

August 12 - The Los Angeles Times

Political Hurdle For VMT Fees Proves Too High For The Netherlands And Oregon

Two years ago a Dutch city embarked on a trial for distance-based pricing that placed a meter on the dashboard showing the price of the trip. The plan was scratched due to an election. In OR, VMT fee legislation for electric vehicles has stalled.

August 12 - The New York Times - Environment

Businesses Claims That Bike Lanes Ruin Business

In downtown Vancouver, where bike lanes have replaced parking spots on some strips, shop owners have complained that they are bad for business. A new study disproves the theory - kinda.

August 12 - The Vancouver Sun

Sun Setting on Ontario's Solar Power Push?

Despite incentives from the provincial government and claims that they have created 20,000 jobs in green energy, Ontario's solar power industry is grinding to a halt because of delays in approvals from the provincial utility.

August 12 - Globe and Mail

Philadelphia Tries to Crack Down on Youth Mobs

In the face of recent violence committed by roaming groups of teenagers, officials in Philadelphia are imposing stricter curfews for youth.

August 12 - The Philadelphia Inquirer


All-Natural Cities

In this post from <em>NRDC Swithcboard</em>, Kaid Benfield argues that environmentalists need to care about cities, as urban areas can't be separated form "nature".

August 12 - NRDC Switchboard

Goats Clearing Brush and Luring Crowds in L.A.

Goats being used to clear brush on a hillside in downtown Los Angeles are a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly way to deal with overgrowth -- and they're attracting fans.

August 12 - The New York Times


Modeling The Urban System of Portland

A new program is being implemented in Portland, Oregon, to try to quantify and model the behavior of the city.

August 12 - Fast Company

Experts Say Detroit's Transit Disagreements Can Be Resolved

Despite a lack of cooperation on regional transit issues, Detroit area transportation agencies can find a way to fix the region's broken system, according to a panel of officials and experts.

August 12 - The Detroit Free Press

Mica To Obama: No Compromise On Transportation Bill

The WSJ report indicates that the debate that led to the FAA ticket tax suspension was just a prelude as to what to expect on Sept. 30 when the federal gas tax expires.

August 11 - The Wall Street Journal/Politics

Section 8 Renters Encounter Resistance

Lancaster, California has experienced a surge of Section 8 renters, and they are facing discrimination from residents and city officials, Jennifer Medina reports for The New York Times.

August 11 - The New York Times

Two Decades, Major Shifts

From growing minority populations to growth in the South and West, The United States has undergone major shifts in the last 20 years, according to this analysis from <em>USA Today</em>.

August 11 - USA Today

FEATURE

Universal Principles for Creating a Sustainable City

Freiburg, Germany has become a stunning model of sustainability, thanks in part to Wulf Daseking, the city's Head of Urban Planning since 1984. Sven Eberlein vists Daseking in Freiberg for this interview.

August 11 - Sven Eberlein

Cities, Riots and Facial Recognition Technology

As riots engulf London, the role of technology in cities and crime-fighting comes into the spotlight. Some wonder whether this could usher in the age of facial recognition in cities.

August 11 - Forbes

The Small Town Impact of Post Office Closures

The U.S. Postal Services is considering a plan to close more than 3,600 of its 32,000 post offices. This piece from <em>New Urban News</em> looks at the impact of those closures on the small towns likely to be affected.

August 11 - New Urban News

County Could Railroad Atlanta Region Transit Tax

Voters in the Atlanta region will vote on a 1-cent sales tax for new transit projects. But one major county could stand in the way if its own project is not included.

August 11 - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Philadelphia's Stormwater Solution

Philadelphia is embarking on a $2 billion, 25-year project to improve the way it absorbs and processes stormwater.

August 11 - This Big City

A Local's Guide to Asheville

For a recent contest, <em>Good</em> magazine asked its readers to submit guides to the interesting and unique parts of their city. The winning entry is a guide to Asheville, North Carolina.

August 11 - Good

Turning Foreclosures into Rentals

As the Federal Housing Administration looks for new ways of dealing with the nation's foreclosed homes, more voices are calling for those homes to be repurposed as rentals.

August 11 - Marketplace

A Tour of Three Detroit Community Gardens

Community gardens are popping up all over Detroit. This post from <em>Model D</em> takes a tour through three of them, and explores how they balance art and nature.

August 11 - Model D

Post News

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.

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.