The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
The Straw That Breaks The Infrastructure's Back
Using five examples, this piece from <em>The New York Times</em> looks at how small problems can lead to huge issues in America's aging infrastructure.
The Empire State Building's New Neighbor
A controversial new skyscraper seen as a challenge to the historical skyline dominance of the Empire State Building has been approved in New York City.
The Economics of China's Mega Traffic Jam
The recent 11-day traffic jam in China was no fluke. As <em>The Economist</em> explains, the crushing congestion is little more than a real-world example of imbalances in supply and demand.
Fewer Cars in Bus-Only Lanes Creates Faster Headways
Enforcing no-car rules on dedicated bus lanes has been proven to increase bus efficiency in a bus rapid transit system in Indonesia.
Bike Lanes Make Streets Safer for Pedestrians
A new study from the New York City Department of Transportation shows that streets with painted bike lanes are 40% less dangerous for pedestrians, among other findings.
FEATURE
Post-Katrina New Orleans: Focusing on What Could Be
Patrick L. Phillips, CEO of the Urban Land Institute, reflects on the state of rebuilding efforts in New Orleans on the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. He sees an impressive level of planning, momentum and cooperation among stakeholders.
Smart Meters Facing Resistance
Some California residents complained that their energy bills spiked after smart meters were installed, while others are concerned about the antennas. Can these fears hinder the growth of smart meters in the state?
An Apartment to Fit A Family? Forget It
Architect Roger K. Lewis writes in The Washington Post that it is nearly impossible for a family with school-age children to find a suitable apartment in the city, even if that is the way they'd prefer to live.
Californian Official Fights Proposed Death Row Project
Bids are open for a new Death Row facility in California, but local lawmakers opposed to the project say that companies shouldn't even waste their time bidding on a project that won't be built.
Will Atlanta Grow No More?
Citing three examples of growing pains in Metro Atlanta, this piece wonders whether the region is incapable of efficiently growing any further.
Recreating European-Style Cafe Life in America
In Portland, patterns of urban use are emerging that are similar to the European-style neighborhood bar as a community gathering place.
Best Apps for Building and Construction
Houston Neal from Software Advice picks the best apps for construction, from carpentry and electrical calculators to design tools like REVIT and Google SketchUp.
The Legacy of L.A.'s Former Planning Director
Gail Goldberg recently left the helm of the City of Los Angeles' City Planning Department. <em>AIA Los Angeles</em> takes a look back at her four-year tenure and the positive impacts she made.
Parks Are A Wise Investment In Tough Times
At a time when families across the country are facing fewer choices for fun, ambitious park projects like those in St. Louis, Detroit and Houston are "bringing urban centers back to life," according to JoAnn Greco.
Landmark Mall to Become Mixed-Use Village
Randhurst Mall was the first enclosed mall in the Chicago Area. Today, developers are replacing the mall with an open-air, mixed-use project with a traditional Main Street-style design.
Ten Master-Planned Communities That Bucked the Trend
Builder Magazine looks at ten master-planned developments that sold well in a market that has dwindled through the recession.
Could General Stores Reduce Car Trips in The Suburbs?
Belinda Lanks details architect Frank Ruchala's scheme to bring general stores back into America's residential areas. He believes "a general store could work just as well in a (suburban) subdivision as it did in small villages a hundred years ago."
Mapping Toronto's Class Divide
Richard Florida plots the geography of class on a map of Toronto to show the deep economic divisions at work in an almost "completely post industrial," city.
Kowloon Cultural District Takes Shape in Hong Kong
Office of Metropolitan Architecture, Foster + Partners, and Rocco Design Architects have each submitted plans for Kowloon's new cultural district to be built on reclaimed land.
The Question of Interstate 69
<em>Next American City</em> reviews a new book by Matt Dellinger about Interstate 69, the as-yet-unbuilt highway that could create a direct link between the Mexican and Canadian borders.
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.
