The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

FEATURE

The theory that shrinking ailing cities is going to cure them is unproven and wrongheaded, says Roberta Brandes Gratz -- and is fueled by the same forces behind the urban renewal practices of the mid-20th century.

April 19 - Roberta Brandes Gratz

The city of Miami is the setting of a forthcoming book by novelist Tom Wolfe, whose works have come to define eras in American culture. Some say his selection of Miami as a setting shows that the melting pot city is the face of a changing America.

April 19 - Guardian

The Economist looks at Portland's "weirdness" with an arched eyebrow, and asks, is this the next great model for the American city?

April 18 - The Economist

Toronto transit activists are frustrated that funding for planned streetcars is being rerouted, and are preparing a "Save Transit City" campaign.

April 18 - The National Post

Supermarkets of the future may become the center of neighborhood life, predicts planner Mark Hinshaw.

April 18 - Citiwire.net

Transportation planner Jarrett Walker, on why transportation planners can't stop applying freeway concepts to transit and the important difference between access and mobility.

April 18 - Human Transit

A new book by Hannah Higgins seeks to show that the history of modern society is based on the grid.

April 18 - Metropolis Magazine

Clean-tech incinerators are making their way into Danish neighborhoods. Why is the U.S. not implementing this technology? Environmental groups hate them, and land fills have been abundant.

April 17 - The New York Times

When working a charrette in Jamaica, architect Steve Mouzon inadvertently inspired local children to set a recommendation for urban farming to song.

April 17 - The Original Green Blog

Why build your own? There are several free web applications out there that help cities interface with their citizens. Christian Madera picks the best.

April 17 - Next American City

While a new analysis of census data revealed the importance of immigrants to regions and refuted commonly held beliefs, it revealed a clear preference for high-skilled immigrants which in turn is influencing federal legislation.

April 17 - The New York Times - U.S.

In many cities, stormwater and sewage water are collected in the same sewer. As a result, good rainwater is combined with dirty sewage water. Overflows can create major problems for cities. But avoiding those problems is not exactly easy.

April 17 - Urban Omnibus

Behold Magnasanti, the ultimate city built using the SimCity game with no cheats, with a population of 9 million residents.

April 16 - YouTube

Surplus oil production capacity could go away in the next two years and shortages could get serious by 2015, says a new report from the U.S. Joint Forces.

April 16 - AutoBlogGreen

What makes a model neighborhood? GOOD Magazine devotes an issue to the topic, beginning with a list of traits that make a neighborhood great.

April 16 - GOOD Magazine

In Ann Arbor, Michigan, a high-density, 62 unit apartment complex was approved 6-4 by the city council, but a local law requires a supermajority to pass if members of the public file an 'opposition petition.'

April 16 - AnnArbor.com

A comparison of Brainerd, Minnesota's downtown parking and that of the planned town of Celebration, Florida shows what a big difference a parking plan can make.

April 16 - Strong Towns Blog

Robert Glennon, author of the new book "Unquenchable" outlines the nature of America's emerging water crisis, and how ending water subsidies could encourage efficiencies and conservation.

April 16 - AlterNet

Wyandanch, in Babylon, NY is using an old asset to become new urban.

April 16 - New Urban News

Last Thursday, Las Vegas broke ground on the ACE Green Line, a new BRT corridor that will connect downtown Las Vegas and Henderson.

April 16 - TheCityFix.com