The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
High Density and High Concentrations of Cars
Looking at Census data for urbanized areas and auto ownership, Randal O'Toole argues that denser areas have high rates of auto ownership per square mile, a correlation that is likely to increase congestion.
New York Street Redesign Aims to Improve Safety
The Wall Street Journal reports on an extensive street redesign plan in New York City to be completed by 2030. The plan is aimed at an especially dangerous area.
Can We Get Utopia Right?
Salon interviews author J.C. Hallman about his new book "In Utopia," which explores modern-day utopian projects and how they differ from those of the past.
Friday Funny: Animal-Shaped Cities Planned in Sudan
Officials in Southern Sudan are floating a fleet of proposals to build new cities in the shape of animals and fruits.
The Vancouver Dream, The Vancouver Nightmare
Despite its reputation as a planner's dream, the city of Vancouver has incredibly high housing prices, which is part of the reason <em>New Geography</em>'s Steve Lafleur calls it a middle class nightmare.
Private Buses Make a Comeback in NYC
Recent MTA budget cuts have forced New York City to axe a few of its bus routes, but they've had the effect of spurring a new wave of private bus initiatives.
Soda Giant Leading Effort to Clean World's Polluted Rivers
As rural and urban runoff taints the waters of the Yangtze River in China, environmentalists have joined forces with Coca-Cola to try to improve water quality -- a move that's good for water users in China, and for the water-dependent business.
Opening the Shutters on Chandigarh's Monuments
Chandigarh, the modernist city designed by Le Corbusier in India, is becoming increasingly popular among scholars, critics and a rising residential population. But some of the best parts of the city are closed to the public.
Seeking Private Sponsors for Colosseum Renovation
The city of Rome is looking for a private sponsor to buy advertising rights on its historic Colosseum. The $33 million contract would pay for renovation on the site.
The Fastest Place on Earth
The Bonneville Salt Flats in Western Utah are where drivers and engineers attempt to break the land speed record -- an activity that has transformed this otherwise unused space into one of the more important sites of modern human history.
A Comparative Analysis of Land Use Controls
Various rules and regulations control the form of today's cities. This info graphic and article from <em>re:place</em> looks at how those systems control the urban environment and how they compare.
Ensuring Brazil's World Cup Investments Last Beyond 2014
<em>The City Fix</em> looks at a new report that focuses on how Brazil can create a long-term benefit from the billions its investing in the 2014 World Cup.
Commuter RR To 'Double-Deck' To Increase Capacity
More capacity for the same cost is the case with double-decker commuter cars -- if they can fit into tunnels, that is. Bi-level train were once more common in the commuter trains serving NYC. However, these cars can have their own disadvantages.
Transitioning A Waterfront Away From the Fishing Industry
The fishing industry has been in decline for years in Portland, Maine, which is hurting many of the industry-related businesses on the city's waterfront. Local business people see salvation in diversity.
Learning From and Reshaping the Urban Food System
With her Foodprint project, Nicola Twilley wondered what one could learn about a city by looking at it through the lens of food. In this piece on <em>Urban Omnibus</em> she shares what she's learned.
The Nation's First Bicycle-Only Subdivision
A new themed subdivision is under development in South Carolina. But this is no golf course community. It's a cyclist oriented, car-free experiment called Bicycle City.
A Musical Commentary on Suburban Sprawl
The new album by Arcade Fire is themed around suburban sprawl, offering an interesting commentary on city planning and development.
London's Property Prices Force Commuters Into Campsites
Consistently ranked one of the worlds most expensive cities to live in, many of its workers are now forced to commute from the campsites encircling the city.
Boosting Car-Sharing in San Francisco
By expanding its car-sharing requirements on new non-residential buildings, the city of San Francisco is looking to make car-sharing more viable and accessible in the transit-friendly city.
An Urban River Ignored
The James River runs right through downtown Richmond, Virginia. But with few public access points, the river is a largely ignored part of the urban realm.
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.
