The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
The Economic Benefit of Density
Richard Florida says that the economic benefits of 'agglomeration' are seldom given the attention they deserve. A new study by Florida and the Martin Prosperity Institute aims to do just that.
Brownfields Into Beaches
Alex Bozikovic hits the beach with his son at a new public space in Toronto: Sugar Beach, an urban park built on a former industrial site.
The Best Cities and Towns for College
The American Institute of Economic Research ranks the best cities and towns in which to attend college, using academic achievement, quality of life, and professional opportunities as factors.
Pedestrian-Only Zone Proposed for San Diego
With the centennial of the Panama-California Exposition that created San Diego's Balboa Square approaching, the city is considering turning back the neighborhood to its former car-free glory.
The Myth of the City
In this essay from Lapham's Quarterly, Lewis Lapham muses on the nature of the city: how it is perceived, by whom and for whom; and how it incubates new ideas and facilitates democracy.
Cambodia Joins Skyscraper Race to the Top
Cambodia has announced that it will build a new skyscraper that will be the tallest in Asia at 1,820 feet. Fast Company asks, why, in the face of grueling poverty, would they do such a thing?
Holograms Used To Make Drivers More Aware
The City of West Vancouver is piloting a new program to help drivers slow down for the back to school season: they are projecting a hologram onto the road featuring a young girl running after a ball to call attention to driving safety.
Freeways Going Green
Dallas, Texas is building a new park on a deck over the Woodall Rodgers Freeway, a strategy for creating new public spaces that is being tried across the country.
Southern CA MPO Snubs Air Board By Reducing Emissions Targets
The Southern California Association of Governments rebuffed the CA Air Resources Board by deliberately setting lower targets for greenhouse gas emissions per SB 375, the 2008 law intended to reduce GHG emissions from transportation.
BLOG POST
Dear Uncle Sam: Transit Design Really Does Matter
<p> <span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri">Over the past decade more than $75 billion in public dollars has been invested in rail transit. Los Angeles, Seattle and Denver alone are investing an additional $65 billion to expand their systems and enhance the livability of their communities. The federal government will be asked to play a major role in funding each of those systems. Up until now the federal role in major transit investments has largely avoided the question of how we ought to design our transit systems to be good neighbors and leverage livable communities. </span></span> </p>
The Visions of Paolo Soleri: Dimmed, But Still Hanging in There
In 1970, visionary architect Paolo Solieri began envisioned a utopian city in Arizona. The resulting development, Arcosanti, and its architect have struggled for relevancy ever since.
Humongous Tree Irks Neighbors
The front yard of a home in suburban Plymouth, England is completely enveloped by a leylandii tree. Neighbors say it's an eyesore, the owner says he's being unfairly targeted.
Shifting Federal Transportation Dollars to Create More Jobs
Shifting federal transportation dollars to transit projects could help create up to 180,000 jobs and not raise the federal deficit, according to a new report.
Legalizing and Protecting Jaywalkers Through Design
Most crosswalks are straight lines, but many people walk across streets in an arc. One designer has proposed changing the way crosswalks are painted to improve pedestrian safety.
The Beauty of Public Spaces
A new book by Robert Gatje gives public squares and piazzas the coffee-table treatment, meticulously detailing what makes these historic spaces work.
HSR Opponents Vow To Continue Litigation
Contention over how California's high speed rail train from Los Angeles should access the Bay Area appears to be the dispute that won't go away. Having just lost their case in court only 2 weeks ago, approval of the Pacheco Pass may continue.
Building Ramps Up at World Trade Center Site
The New York Times reports that yes, construction is beginning to move more rapidly at Ground Zero.
Exporting Suburbanism
Developing countries have begun importing Western-style pro-sprawl urban planning policies, often to their detriment. Kuala Lumpur and cities across the communist world are examined.
Paris, City of Bees
The BBC reports that there is a surge in urban beekeeping in Paris, with 400 hives and growing within the city limits.
'Greening the Ghetto'
Low income housing can also be green housing. A new trend in home design and community activism is giving even inexpensive housing a green sheen.
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.
