The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
The Top 10 Most Global Cities
Emily Peck counts down the top ten most global cities now that more than half the world's population is urbanized. The 21st century will be dominated by the city, writes Parag Khanna. “The age of nations is over. The new urban age has begun.”
The Streetcar Solution
In a long excerpt from his new book <em>Seven Rules for Sustainable Communities: Design Strategies for the Post Carbon World,</em> Patrick Condon explains the advantages of streetcars, where they went, and why we should bring them back.
Better Place To Create First Oil Free State In Israel
With the support of Israel's government, Better Place is proposing a radical solution to the country's petrol problems and aiming to make the country the first to rid itself of dependence on oil for transportation.
Urban Living Linked To Heightened Risk of Schizophrenia
For some time researchers have noticed more instances of non-affective psychosis in urban populations than in rural groups. Now the American Medical Association has found "certain elements of city living raise the risk of developing schizophrenia."
Cities and Local Govts. Are Key To Halting Climate Change
Grist encourages its readers to look toward cities - big ones, as the place where real progress in fighting climate change is to occur, rather than international treaties and federal legislation.
The State of Iowa: Looking Good
Aaron M. Renn says that Iowa has weathered the recession well, and migration patterns have boosted cities and agribusiness.
Urbanization Multiplies The Phenomenon of Strangers
Kio Stark, professor at NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program explains lucidly how strangers and cities are "inherently intertwined."
Dulles Metro Link to Run Nearly $4 Billion
The second phase of a project to connect Washington D.C.'s Metro system to Dulles International Airport will cost nearly $4 billion.
Evolving Tech Takes the Pulse of Bridges
With infrastructure aging, technology is increasingly relied upon to assess the safety of bridges. Many places are finding that simple monitoring devices can help save money.
Touring Olympic Redevelopment in London
Tourists can get a close-up look at the transformation of a formerly depressed part of East London into what will be the site of one of the world's largest spectacles when it hosts the 2012 Olympics.
Friday Funny: Man Encourages Neighborhood to Secede
Jim Massey of East Pennsboro Township, Pennsylvania is unhappy about plans to build a new apartment complex in his neighborhood, so he's encouraging his neighbors to secede from East Pennsboro and join a nearby town.
"Hometown Democracy" Amendment Pending, Florida Cities Scramble
A controversial ballot measure in November could put all Florida general plan changes to a public vote. The St. Petersburg City Council is attempting some sleight-of-hand with their land use map to avoid facing the voters.
Enticing Millennials to a New Suburbia
At a seminar on "Re-working Suburbia" in San Leandro, California, urban designers and planners strategized for ways to upgrade Bay Area suburbs to attract millennials.
Historic Streetcars Planned To Fill A Transit Gap In Brooklyn
New York City plans a new route to fill a void in rail coverage through south Brooklyn. But will the alignment of the tracks and the ancient cars planned to run on them maximise capacity?
Free Waterfront Land: Must Bring Jobs
Camden, Maine is giving away 3 1/2 acres of waterfront land. The catch? The buyer must pay up front, then gets money back for every worker they hire.
Creating Livable Cities
This episode of <em>The Diane Rehm Show</em> explores efforts underway to make the world's cities more livable.
Virginia Speed Bump Leads to Neighborhood Activist's Murder
A Virginia man who rallied to have a traffic-calming speed bump installed on his street became the source of so much local controversy that a neighbor recently shot and killed him.
Portland's Pavement Pulverizers
<em>Grist</em> looks at the volunteer group in Portland that legally removes unnecessary pavement from places around the city and replaces it with gardens and green space.
Church Goers on the Defense Against New Urbanism's Anti-Sprawl Crusade
This commentary from church architect Randy Bright argues that New Urbanists unfairly attack church sprawl, and that the cost of developing denser communities is the freedom of the people.
No Progress in Program to Convert Luxury Condos to Affordable Housing
A year-old program in New York City intended to convert stalled condo projects into completed affordable housing has yet to make any progress.
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.
