The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

WBUR's On Point takes an hour-long look at plans for Masdar City, the zero-waste, carbon-neutral city under construction in Abu Dhabi.

August 6 - On Point

This infographic from <em>Good</em> shows how unemployment numbers compare in various metros in the country.

August 6 - Good

Economist Edward L. Glaeser crunches the numbers on a hypothetical high speed rail line between Dallas and Houston and finds the costs prohibitive.

August 6 - The New York Times

This video from <em>WTTW</em> looks at a huge new model of the city of Chicago, and shows how it was built.

August 6 - WTTW

FEATURE

Planetizen is creating a list of the most important people who have shaped urban places, and we want to know what you think. Vote on people nominated by the Planetizen community, or suggest your own. The polls close September 7.

August 6 - Planetizen

BLOG POST

<p> Urban planning is one of those things people don&#39;t realize they can relate to. Everybody understands cities, so why can&#39;t they understand how they are planned? Well, there&#39;s really no reason. Urban planners -- steeped in the inner workings of the urban world -- probably aren&#39;t the best to try to communicate this idea. So bring in the artists.<br /> <br />

August 5 - Nate Berg

Economist Paul Romer proposes the creation of new "charter cities", taking uninhabited areas and creating new innovative charters for cities that avoid the burden of national regulations. Guantánamo Bay is an ideal location, he says. (VIDEO)

August 5 - TED

In a sign of how serious the administration is taking traffic safety, DOT Secretary Ray LaHood called for a special meeting to deal with 'distracted driving', primarily the technological type - cell phones, both hand-held and hands-free, and texting.

August 5 - The New York Times - Politics

Tax caps, assessment limitations, and other property tax relief programs have caused significant damage to the largest source of revenue for ailing cities, says a new book by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.

August 5 - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

Neal Payton says that density gets too much of the limelight when planning transit-oriented development, and that design and diversity should get more focus during the planning stages.

August 5 - ULI

Officials in the city of Oxford, Alabama have approved the construction of a Sam's Club retail store that will use the dirt of a 1,500 year old Native American ceremonial mound as fill, arguing against reports of its historical significance.

August 5 - Grist

The City of San Jose, California is on its way to becoming the nation's first energy-independent city, deriving all of its energy from renewable sources.

August 5 - USA Today

At a digital security conference in Las Vegas, a presenter showed that newer "smart" parking meters can be hacked, giving the hacker free parking wherever they go.

August 5 - Boing Boing

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently announced an idea to speed up buses in Manhattan by eliminating crosstown bus fares.

August 5 - The New York Times

The Economist reports that the collapse of Detroit's auto industry has had a ripple effect up north, particularly in Windsor, Ontario.

August 5 - The Economist

Katherine Melia explains the relevant points on the Atlantic Yards controversy in Brooklyn for those not embroiled in the controversy over eminent domain, starchitecture, and more.

August 5 - Next American City

James Surowiecki dispels the myth that banks are better off renegotiating mortgage then foreclosing.

August 4 - The New Yorker

Adolfo Carrión, Jr., Director of the White House Office of Urban Affairs, reports from a tour he's taking to spur a national conversation about the role cities and metropolitan areas should take in national policy.

August 4 - The White House blog

Typically at the top of "best cities" lists, Vancouver and Portland are highly coveted places. This piece looks at why Portland is really number one.

August 4 - The Tyee

The Sahara desert is becoming increasingly green, according to satellite imagery -- which scientists are attributing to rising temperatures associated with global climate change.

August 4 - National Geographic