The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

<p>This piece from <em>The Cleveland Free Times</em> argues that policy can and does encourage sprawl, and none of the candidates running for president will do anything to combat these policies. Meanwhile, American cities will continue to die off.</p>

May 9 - The Cleveland Free Times

<p>Builders and planners are gathering in Detroit to discuss funding options for brownfield redevelopment and learn from region's experience transforming these community eyesores.</p>

May 9 - Christian Madera

<p>Biking gets serious in New York, where the city is investing millions in a system of dedicated bike lanes.</p>

May 9 - The Los Angeles Times

<p>There is very, very little new housing construction in most of California, where the number of housing starts is down 75% from the boom year of 2005. One result is layoffs for planners, building inspectors and plan checkers.</p>

May 9 - California Planning & Development Report

<p>A new report examines the impacts of the mortgage meltdown on rental housing.</p>

May 9 - Joint Center for Housing Studies

<p>Water shortages have hammered the Atlanta region. But despite the drought, one real estate developer is planning to build a huge water park.</p>

May 8 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

<p>What do you do when 96 football fields worth of space opens up in a major metro area?</p>

May 8 - The Los Angeles Times

<p>With 70 percent of its waste already diverted from landfills, San Francisco continues to push forward with new laws and programs to increase recycling.</p>

May 8 - The New York Times

<p>In two separate examples, a <em>Los Angeles Times</em> columnist shows how stakeholders with money tend to win the support of local politicians more often than the less fortunate.</p>

May 8 - The Los Angeles Times

<p>The City of Portland joins Davis, California, as the only other city to earn the League of American Bicyclists' Platinum rating.</p>

May 8 - The Oregonian

<p>The Federal Reserve has announced plans to help community non-profits to acquire foreclosed homes for use as affordable housing.</p>

May 8 - The Washington Post

<p>With its portrait of glamorous living in Manhattan, some New Yorkers can't help but blame the television series for fueling the city's gentrification. Even the show's star, Sarah Jessica Parker, laments Manhattan's loss of 'grit'.</p>

May 8 - New York Daily News

<p>Environmentalists say laws have yet to catch up with greener fuel alternatives for cars.</p>

May 8 - The Los Angeles Times

<p>In Nebraska, a state experiencing just a moderate level of Hispanic immigration inflow, Attorney General Jon Bruning has drawn the line on who he’ll protect from abusive housing policies and who he won’t. For him, immigrants simply aren’t worth it.</p>

May 8 - The Next American City

<p>Go for a ride with Los Angeles' leading pedestrian activist and learn about some of the challenges in bringing change to the Car Culture Capital of America.</p>

May 8 - LA Streetsblog

<p>Plans for a Broadway-style theater and "cultural district" in downtown Salt Lake City moves forward.</p>

May 7 - Deseret News

<p>A number of innovative new bicycle designs were on display at this year's International Bicycle Design Competition, including a bike that folds into its own backpack carrying case -- making it easy to take on public transit.</p>

May 7 - Gizmag

<p>Despite concerns about lowering property values across the city, the L.A. City Council moved to limit the size of newly constructed homes in older neighborhoods to about 4,000 square feet.</p>

May 7 - The Los Angeles Times

<p>If driving less makes prices fall -- will Americans respond by driving more?</p>

May 7 - The Columbus Dispatch

BLOG POST

<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> <p style="margin: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman">It turns out that the “law of demand” (the tendency of higher prices to reduce consumption) and the principles of urban economics (that improved accessibility increases land values) still apply. If we are smart, we can use these to help solve problems and benefit consumers.</span> </p>

May 7 - Todd Litman