The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Report Predicts 'Mass Exodus of Vehicles off America's Highways'

<p>A new report for a Canadian bank examining the economic impact of rising oil prices predicts that millions of Americans will be forced to give up driving as gas reaches $7.00 a gallon.</p>

July 3 - CIBC World Markets

Wal-Mart To Cut Costs, Selling Local Fruits and Veggies

<p>In an effort to reduce shipping costs, Wal-Mart is cutting its food miles and passing the savings on to customer by selling locally grown produce.</p>

July 3 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Underground Art

Artist Christoph Niemann's whimsical illustrations tell the story of his sons' love of the subway.

July 3 - The New York Times

A New Face for Phoenix

<p>Downtown Phoenix prepares for a facelift with a new form-based code and downtown master plan.</p>

July 3 - The Arizona Republic

Portland's Bike Sharing Proposal Hits Snag

<p>Plans to establish a European-style citywide bike-sharing program in Portland have been put on hold, as city officials encounter recurring logistical issues.</p>

July 2 - The Portland Tribune


B.C. Carbon Tax Kicks In

<p>British Columbia's carbon tax went into action this week, raising the price of fossil fuels by just over two cents. Despite some tax concessions in other areas, many drivers remain opposed to the carbon tax.</p>

July 2 - The Globe & Mail

Freight Trains to the Rescue

<p>A new study suggests that getting freight onto trains and off of trucks would have a significant impact on traffic.</p>

July 2 - Memphis Business Journal


Bike Buddies Turn Commute Into Workout

<p>T.J. Kelly was finding it difficult to squeeze in exercise, and looking at his rising commute costs. A new co-worker helped him turn his commute into a workout.</p>

July 2 - Wall St. Journal

Seattle Seeks Crackdown on 'Megahomes'

<p>Amid complaints of over-sized houses, officials in Seattle are considering enacting tighter regulations on the size of single-family homes.</p>

July 2 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Climate Change Changing Assumptions on Land Use, Energy

<p>Critic John King reflects on how common assumptions of Bay Area residents about urban growth boundaries and protesting nuclear power are challenged by the growing problem of climate change and energy access.</p>

July 2 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Foreclosure Blight Slashes Nation's Property Values

<p>Foreclosed homes are creating blight in urban and suburban areas all across the country, lowering property values by more than $200 billion.</p>

July 2 - The Christian Science Monitor

Property Values vs. Affordable Housing

<p>In suburban St. Paul, Minnesota, homeowners are losing the battle to keep affordable housing our of their neighborhoods. This Pioneer Press article includes a video that nicely shows both sides of the issue.</p>

July 2 - St. Paul Pioneer Press

Green Report Card Rates Countries, Highlights Shortcomings

<p>Grading countries for their environmental friendliness reveals some surprising results about which countries aren't doing enough to clean themselves up.</p>

July 2 - Newsweek

Dar es Salaam Invests in Public Transit

<p>With crippling traffic congestion, the Tanzanian city of Dar es Salaam has pooled $158 million to improve its public transportation system -- adding new service, stations, and walkways.</p>

July 2 - The East African

New Report Shows Gentrification Isn't Significant Problem

<p>A new study conducted by University of Colorado at Boulder, University of Pittsburgh and Duke University says that the scourge of gentrification is greatly exaggerated.</p>

July 1 - Time

CA's Climate Change Mandate Will Drive Smart Growth

<p>In what may be the silver lining of the current economic climate, high fuel costs and carbon restrained economies may spell the end for unsustainable planning and development patterns in California, according to Rick Cole, City Manager of Ventura.</p>

July 1 - The Planning Report

Largest Land Conservation in U.S. Sealed

<p>A deal between a Montana timber company and conservationists to preserve 320,000 acres of forest is the largest land conservation in U.S. history.</p>

July 1 - The Missoulian

BLOG POST

False Creek North - The Residents' Views

<span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial">What do the residents of Vancouver&#39;s False Creek North think of living in one of the largest centrally located, high-density, pedestrian- and family-oriented mixed-use neighbourhoods in the world?  </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial"> </span></span> <p class="MsoNormal">

July 1 - Gordon Price

The Bronx Debuts BRT

<p>Wired rides the Bronx's new Bus Rapid Transit, and determines that "rapid" is in the eye of the beholder.</p>

July 1 - Wired

Oil and Coal Will Continue To Be Energy Mainstays

<p>Unless international carbon-capping treaties are implemented, fossil fuel consumption (with their greenhouse gas emissions) will increase 50% by 2030, largely resulting from growth in energy consumption in China and other developing nations.</p>

July 1 - Associated Press via Google News

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Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.