The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Bert Sperling, who has earned recognition for his lists of "Best Places," responds to questions posed by the readers of the Freakonomics blog.

October 6 - Freakonomics (Opinion) on The New York Times

The explosion of amateur mapmaking opened up by online services like Google Earth has expanded the reach of maps for a variety of uses. Professional mapmakers, on the other hand, foresee problems of quality and accuracy.

October 6 - The Globe and Mail

Plans to demolish three houses to make room for more parking have pitted residents against an Atlanta church, arguing that city's planning blueprint prohibits demolitions for new surface parking. The church has filed suit.

October 6 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

CA Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed perhaps the most important air quality bill of the year just before the deadline to the dismay of the state's environmental and health community. Alaska Gov. Palin's letter asking for the veto may have played a role.

October 6 - San Mateo County Times

A new study finds that 65% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. are under the direct or indirect control of individuals. However, many of those habits are difficult to change given land uses.

October 6 - The Wall St. Journal

Christopher Hume looks at the welcoming power of benches in seating-heavy Montreal, and argues that other cities need to take the simple step of planting more benches to make urban areas more lively and attractive.

October 6 - The Toronto Star

FEATURE

On L.A.'s Skid Row, revitalization efforts fail to consider the human aspects of life on the streets, according to Rocco Pendola.

October 6 - Rocco Pendola

David Bollier debunks the idea that the magic of 'private property' is saving fisheries from being overfished.

October 6 - On The Commons

An artist recently drew an interpretation of a speech by author Richard Florida about the "creative class", competition between cities and the importance of place.

October 5 - Creative Class Exchange

An interview with Tom Skanke, president of a govt. public affairs company, about how he got involved in transportation issues and the unique challenges of moving people around in Las Vegas.

October 5 - In Business Las Vegas

A growing group of people in Britain have taken to breaking into abandoned buildings and facilities. But they're not breaking in to steal things, or to squat. They just want to check the places out, which they call "urban exploring".

October 5 - The Independent

Since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, public transit in New Orleans has struggled to rebound. With few riders, service expansions can't be justified. But with diminished service, fewer view transit as a viable option.

October 5 - Next American City

In this piece from <em>Citiwire</em>, Jonathan D. Miller argues that infrastructure and the economy are not islands. Improving the nation's infrastructure, he says, will improve the economy.

October 5 - Citiwire

CoolTown Studios looks at a recent study in Portland, OR that shows that certain retail establishments- cafes, movie theaters, wine bars- increase property values in neighborhoods by up to 30%.

October 4 - CoolTown Studios

The historic centers and plazas of Latin American cities are often viewed as prime prospects for preservation in the hopes of increasing tourism. Often this preservation has a negative affect on locals, but things are beginning to change.

October 4 - Land Lines, Lincoln Institute Of Land Policy

Comfort Cafe in Hastings-On-Hudson, NY wanted to expand, but couldn't get a loan in the credit crisis. The owner got creative, and raised the money he needed by selling discount cards to loyal regulars.

October 4 - Boing Boing

Minimum parking requirements are coming under increasing fire in Washington D.C. This column argues that reducing parking will make the city a better and smarter place.

October 4 - The Washington Post

Neal Pierce of Citiwire.net returns to the population issue, this time addressing U.S. federal foreign and domestic policies regarding the issue.

October 4 - Citiwire.net

An Oahu Transit bus driver was caught playing a Playstation Portable on his route. Reports fail to include which game he was playing- Grand Theft Auto, perhaps?

October 3 - KGMB-TV

BLOG POST

A PLANNER’S PRAYER<br /> <br /> Next week, Jews around the world (including myself) will spend the day in synagogue for Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement.  On that day, we will pray for forgiveness for our sins.  One Yom Kippur prayer, the Al Chet (Hebrew for “for the sin”) lists a variety of sins, requesting Divine forgiveness for each. (One English translation can be found at www.chabad.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/6577/jewish/Text-of-Al-Chet.htm )<br />

October 3 - Michael Lewyn