The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Plants Do The Dirty Work
"Phytoremediation" is a growing field (pun intended) of practice that uses particular types of plants to leech toxic materials out of the soil in contaminated sites.
Native Americans Vs. Solar Power
Regulators have approved the construction of 9 large solar power plants in California, but many are facing opposition from local Native American tribes who say that the environmental and cultural impacts were not fully considered.
Massachusetts to Get 'Pay As You Drive' Auto Insurance
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% below 1990 levels by 2020, Massachusetts hopes to tap federal funds to help enact a 'Pay As You Drive' auto insurance program to reduce transportation emissions.
Blame Climate Not Politicians for Weather-Beaten Cities
Extreme weather events have had big city mayors across the world scrambling to clean up messes and prove their cities aren't falling apart. But the real issue is the climate, not the politics.
The Case Against Inclusionary Housing
Affordable housing mandates - "inclusionary zoning" - have been a popular way for cities to deal with high housing costs. But Stephen Smith says there are real market costs, and while the empirical work is in its infancy, it doesn't look promising.
Moving Past Jakarta
Officials in Indonesia are increasingly considering a plan to relocate the capital from Jakarta to another, less troubled location.
Housing and the Growth of the Sun Belt
Recent figures from the U.S. Census Bureau show big growth in the Sun Belt of the Southwest. This piece from <em>The New York Times</em> looks into why.
Air Hangar Reborn as Waterpark
An air hangar in Germany has been converted into a massive waterpark, which some see as the possible beginning of a trend in adaptive reuse of these types of facilities.
New Transit Systems of 2010
Garrett Bradford of TheCityFix reviews some of the most innovative and sustainable transit systems from around the globe that made their debut over the last twelve months.
Taking New York City's Parks Through Tough Times
New York City Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe talks with <em>Next American City</em> about the city's increased emphasis on creating active public spaces and how his department is handling budget cuts.
The Allure Of Light Rail Transit
Centering on Denver as the epi-center of light rail development in the U.S., NPR reports on a new wave of light rail and streetcar projects sweeping the nation as cities hope to attract the latest talent and urban development to become "world-class".
The Prince of Wales Seeks "Harmony"
The Prince of Wales has a new book out, called "Harmony: A New Way of Looking at Our World." Robert Steuteville says the book is "a catalogue of environmental crises and sustainability solutions."
The Year in Infrastructure
<em>The Infrastructurist</em> runs down the ten most important news stories and trends in the world of infrastructure in 2010.
A Decade of Growth, But Then the Bust
Nevada was the fastest growing state in the nation over the last ten years, but amid that growth has been a severe economic downturn.
Olympic Village Blasted for Missing Affordable Housing Targets
Housing activists in Vancouver are criticizing the city for only offering a small portion of the Olympic Village built for the 2010 Winter Olympics as affordable housing.
Urban Policies and the Impact of the Tea Party
As the Tea Party prepares to move into its new seats in the Congress, many are left wondering what impact they will have on urban issues and legislation.
Traffic Management, Disney Style
At Disney World, getting millions of visitors through the lines of their desired attractions faster is a huge logistical challenge. The theme park is taking a high-tech approach to the problem.
Cities Take Business Approach to Planning
Cities around the world are applying business-style techniques to planning and encouraging economic development.
New Tool Adds Transportation to the Green Building Equation
A new free online tool, developed by the Center for Neighborhood Technology for the US Green Building Council, adds the effect of transportation and indirect emissions to the sustainable building equation.
Turning "Redfields" Into Urban Parks
Jonathan Lerner gives an extensive analysis of the benefits of turning failed commercial properties, or "redfields", into strategically-picked park land for revitalization purposes. Some conversion would be permanent, some just land banking.
City of Clovis
City of Moorpark
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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.
