The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
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Borrowed time
<p>The collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis puts the spotlight on the unsexy topic of infrastructure maintenance. But a smart growth policy, "Fix it First," has been focused in the area for some time. The policy, in place in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and for the last four years in Massachusetts, states that no new highways or bridges can be built until all existing infrastructure is in a state of good repair. Generally this meant stuff that was in and around existing cities; thus it's a smart growth policy, as the makeovers make cities and older suburbs more liveable and functional, while sprawl-enabling highway construction is limited. </p>
The Left-Leaning NIMBY
<p>In Marin County and other wealthy, liberal enclaves, many residents are vocally supportive of affordable housing and other causes -- unless its in their neighborhood.</p>
Pedestrian Friendliness Rating Engine Draws Attention On Web
<p>A fun new website that attempts to quantify the pedestrian-friendliness of a neighborhood is getting some buzz in the blogosphere.</p>
California's Best and Worst Downtowns
<p>San Francisco and San Diego are the No. 1 downtowns in California, according to California Planning & Development Report. L.A. is #4, behind Long Beach. Last? Fresno, Fresno, Fresno.</p>
Idaho's Governor Proposes State Workers Stay Home And Telecommute
<p>As roads become more congested, one congestion mitigation proposal would encourage state workers to telecommute.</p>
Backyard On The Roof
<p>Rooftop gardens bloom in New Jersey.</p>
Legislating The Connection Between Land Use, Climate Change
<p>California State Senator Darrell Steinberg tackles the connections between land use and greenhouse gas emissions with SB 375. Can California continue its leadership on climate change legislation?</p>
The Arrogance Of Architects
<p>An exploration of the architectural ego, the reasons for its existence, and whether it could be any other way.</p>
San Francisco To Vote On Public Transit, Parking
<p>The Board of Supervisors approved a ballot measure that would increase funding the city's maligned transit agency and head off another measure aimed at repealing the city's parking limits.</p>
Seattle Puts Double-Decker Buses Into Service
<p>Hoping to boost capacity without using additional road space, Seattle will become only the second city in the nation to put the London style buses into service.</p>
Federal Infrastructure Bank Proposed In Congress
<p>With the nation's crumbling infrastructure having grabbed headlines lately, two U.S. senators are supported the concept of a national infrastructure bank to evaluate and finance major public works.</p>
The Subway Mayor (Sort Of)
<p>Though New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has earned kudos by taking public transit to work, reporters for the New York Times note his commute -- which involves a 22 block ride in a chauffeured Chevy Suburban -- isn't your average subway ride.</p>
A Black City Planned By Whites?
<p>African-Americans are the majority of residents in Richmond, Virginia, but a new master planning effort has been criticized for attracting little participation from non-whites.</p>
Salt Lake Sky Bridge Becomes Political Hot Button
<p>The controversy over the proposed sky bridge in downtown Salt Lake City has worked its way into the race for mayor.</p>
Creating A Sense Of Place With Modern Day Main Streets
<p>In Missouri, towns are embracing New Urbanism and reviving main street districts or even creating new downtowns where they didn't exist.</p>
The New Public Spaces And Why They Are Important
<p>Parks are no just about connecting with nature. The evolving public spaces of today revitalize abandoned industrial land and engage citizens.</p>
Predicting Where The Traffic Will Flow
<p>IBM announced the development of a new traffic prediction tool that could help cities maximize their existing infrastructure investments.</p>
Why Gentrification Is Good
<p>Opponents to gentrification often have a romanticized view of neighborhoods that prevents them from seeing how development is beneficial to everyone in a community -- rich and poor.</p>
What To Consider When Planning Commuter Rail
<p>Cities contemplating commuter rail systems should first look at the characteristics of other successful systems.</p>
Downsizing The American Dream
<p>Are Americans ready to shed their preference for oversized homes? With new regulations in the pipeline, and sustainability all the rage, opponents of McMansions certainly hope so.</p>
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
