The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
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.
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.
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".
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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>.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Philadelphia's Stormwater Solution
Philadelphia is embarking on a $2 billion, 25-year project to improve the way it absorbs and processes stormwater.
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.
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.
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.
Density Brings in More Tax Income Than Big Box
Dense downtowns provide more tax revenues for cities than strip mall and big box development on a per acre basis, according to a new study.
The Emotional Landscape of Vacancy
Vacancy has left parts of the Midwest shattered, resulting in an insecurity which invokes a diluted "fight or flight" response. Restoring the psychological landscape of cities is a difficult, but essential, first step, says Richey Piiparinen.
Britain's Riots: Architects Respond
Five architects dissect the role the built environment plays in the riots. Joseph Rykwert says cities incite riots, while Robert Tavernor says that the riots are "a sobering reminder that cities are for people, that people make cities."
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
