The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Light Rail and High-Speed Rail Conflated and Confused
In Tampa, voters can't seem to untangle an upcoming one-cent sales tax to fund light rail with the Obama administration's recent $1.25 billion award for high-speed rail, though the funding is completely separate.
The Failure of the Public Process, San Francisco-Style
David Prowler, a former San Francisco planning commissioner, says that the public process of the city fails to engage the people of the community.
BLOG POST
Waiting for a miracle
<p> I was reading Wendell Cox's recent attack on the Center for Neighborhood Technology's affordability calculations, and was struck by one thing he wrote:<em>“transportation costs will be reduced in the future by the far more fuel efficient vehicles being required by Washington.”* </em> </p> <p> In other words, don't worry about Americans being impoverished by the cost of a car for every man, woman, and 16-year old in the House: the technological miracle of fuel efficiency will save us. </p>
People's Needs and Placemaking
Leonardo Vazquez, AICP/PP, proposes a new way of looking at placemaking through the lens of the 4 basic human needs (a framework from the field of psychology).
Liverpool is Thriving
"It's the fabric, stupid," says writer Stephen Bayley, referring to Liverpool's return to the world stage thanks to a combination of great historic bones and a new influx of exciting architecture.
The Risky Business of Airports
Airports are important investments for cities, but are also highly risky because they rely heavily on the whims of the airline business. Alex Marshall looks at how some of the underrepresented airports are coping.
Riverfront Easement Provokes Debate
In Red Wing, Minnesota, the city is seeking to turn 200-acres of marshes and forests into a permanent conservation easement. A citizen group has complained that locking down the land forever is a bad idea.
How Should Obama Tackle Detroit?
This TIME article looks at possible federal approaches to assist Detroit, from new alternative energy factories to urban agriculture initiatives.
Brightening Up The Landscape
A paint company is sponsoring a project to brighten up dull communities by painting them with bright colors.
Electrify Or Die
That's the verdict from a report released April 22 by officials of Caltrain, the nearly 150-year-old commuter line connecting San Francisco, San Jose, and Peninsula suburbs. In turn, the key to electrification is cooperation with the CA HSR Authority
Mayors Say Abolish States
At a recent talk, former mayors Manny Diaz and Greg Nickels (of Miami and Seattle, respectively) talked about the frustration mayors face in having to go to the state to receive funding.
Historic Preservation is Ruining New York
Edward L. Glaeser says that historic preservation is preserving countless undeserving structures in New York, which is keeping new buildings and affordable housing from getting built.
FEATURE
Andrés Duany Wants to Reform The Public Process
Architect and urban innovator Andrés Duany has a new bone of contention: the usurping of the planning process by the public during the approval stage for new projects. Managing Editor Tim Halbur reports from Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Real Estate Scandal and Planning Reform in Jerusalem
Described as being the biggest corruption scandal in Israel's history, the Holyland Park scandal highlights the need for tighter regulation of land use planning in Israel. But with the Prime Minister's support for deregulation, reform looks unlikely.
BLOG POST
Rethinking Public Housing
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <![endif]-->Does the New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) decision to tear down<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/06/nyregion/06demolish.html"> Prospect Plaza</a>, a high rise development in Brownsville Brooklyn, portend the demise of public housing in New York City as we know it?
Fixing Neighborhoods in Savannah
Fast Company released their annual "Fast Cities" issue, featuring 12 cities the editors believe are taking innovative approaches. Savannah, Georgia was chosen for its Neighborhood Renaissance Savannah program, which cleans up abandoned homes.
The Rise of the Electric Bike
In China, an estimated 120 million electric bicycles are on the streets. So why haven't they caught on in the U.S.? Reporter Alan Durning thinks its time.
Planning for Smart Regions
The Regional Plan Association recently held their Annual Regional Assembly, focused this year on technology and innovation. Thomas K. Wright of the RPA talks about some of the smart ideas that came out of the assembly.
Redesigning a Plaza in Paris
The City of Paris is looking to update the historic Place de la Republique, and is running a closed competition to find the right design. Barcelona-based Mateo Arquitectura gives us a glimpse at their ideas for the space.
Relax, Smart Growth is Your Friend
Roger K. Lewis of The Washington Post paints a reassuring picture for suburban homeowners frightened of smart growth. Home values will go up, and you'll be able to walk to get a cup of coffee, says Lewis.
Municipality of Princeton
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
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.
