The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Canada's High-Tech Hub

Ottawa's high-tech sector has burgeoned. More of its residents are employed in fields of engineering and science than in any other Canadian city, making it a high-tech hotbed not unlike those of the U.S.

October 8 - New Geography

Prescribing a Healthy Future For Charlotte

Charlotte faces a number of challenges in the 21st century, from rising immigration to declining industry to sprawl. This <em>Citistates Report</em> suggests one strategy to harbor a healthy future: go green.

October 8 - The Charlotte Observer

Smart Meters Go Mainstream

While they're still more common in Europe, 'smart' energy meters are gaining ground in the U.S. Southern California Edison recently announced plans to install 5.3 million smart meters by 2012.

October 8 - The New York Times

The Case for the Cross-Border Region

Recognizing a need for formal cooperation between the regions in the middle of North America, the author of this article calls for a North American Central Economic Region.

October 8 - New Geography

Showcasing Suburbia

An exhibit at the Carnegie Museum of Art offers an unbiased, "awestruck" exploration of America's suburbs.

October 8 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


Neon Signs Fading in Chicago

Chicago preservationists are urging owners of the last of the city's neon signs to keep them intact.

October 8 - USA Today

Continued Demolition Threatens New Orleans Character

In post-Katrina New Orleans, a fine line exists between razing potentially deadly structures, and harnessing a zeal for wholesale redevelopment.

October 7 - New Orleans City Business


Folding Bikes Increasingly Popular on Rail

In the Bay Area, where transit and cycling are encouraged and on the rise, cyclists are increasingly turning towards folding bikes to enjoy unrestricted access to the two major rail systems, BART and Caltrain, due to conventional bike limitations.

October 7 - Inside Bay Area

Even Dubai is Feeling the Pinch

Cityscape, Dubai's annual real estate showcase, paints a rosy picture of the booming city. But even Mideast moguls aren't immune from the global financial crisis.

October 7 - The Wall St. Journal

BLOG POST

Planning for True Security

<p> <span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Most people have a highly distorted view of the risks they face, which skews their decisions and ultimately reduces their happiness. We live in one of the safest times and places in history, yet, many people live in constant fear, and respond in ways that actually reduce overall security. This is a major obstacle to efficient transportation, healthy living, and livable community.<br />

October 7 - Todd Litman

Residents Call For Expansion of Seattle Growth Boundary

Residents in the Seattle region are calling on officials to expand the area's urban growth boundary to allow denser development in what is currently outside the border.

October 7 - The Seattle Times

The American Car

On an unexpected joyride in a souped-up BMW, a group of environmentalists ponder the past and future of cars.

October 7 - Culture11

The Enduring Popularity of Levittown, and Why It is So Hard to Replicate

Author and urbanist Witold Rybczynski looks at new housing in the aftermath of World War II compared to today. Why are new houses so much more expensive now than they were then?

October 7 - The Wilson Quarterly

Mexico Fighting Police Corruption Through Homeownership

Officials in Mexico are looking to crack down on rampant police corruption with an unlikely carrot: mortgages.

October 7 - Associated Press

L.A. Facing Drought

Los Angelenos have long forgotten that they live in a desert, but the coming drought will mean water consumption patterns will need to change on a massive scale writes Scott Thill.

October 7 - AlterNet

Closing Roads Sometimes Improves Traffic Flow

A new study finds that sometimes <em>closing</em> roads can improve traffic flow by forcing people to make alternative choices to the shortest route.

October 7 - The Christian Science Monitor

Taking City Revitalization Beyond Iconic Architecture

Many cities see new iconic buildings as a major element in recreating themselves into distinctive places. But if every city has distinctive buildings, the distinctiveness is diminished. This commentary argues for new revitalization ideas.

October 7 - Guardian

Desperate Commuters Cheating in Carpool Lanes

Commuters in Sydney, Australia are risking fines rather than waiting in traffic. Along one stretch of highway, over 1000 cheaters were documented in just one hour.

October 6 - The Daily Telegraph

A Third Term For Bloomberg?

Apparently there are limits to 'term limits', and as New York City faces grave times due to the country's financial crisis disproportionately affecting them, the NYC Council Speaker indicated she would introduce legislation allowing for a third term.

October 6 - The New York Times

A Plea for Pedestrians in Pakistan

In this editorial, Ibne Ahmad of Rawalpindi, Pakistan claims that cars are significantly impacting the quality of life there, and that pedestrians and public space need to be reclaimed for the sake of equality.

October 6 - The News International

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Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.

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.