The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Benefits Of Plug-In Hybrids Overrated

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles have been promoted as achieving over 100 mpg. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy reports on the energy and emissions benefits of this new technology, showing it varies on geography and technology.

September 25 - American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy News Release

A Clash Over Sustainable Design For Vancouver Olympics

Planners and developers are clashing over the design of Vancouver's Olympic village for the 2010 games. Some say the developers haven't gone far enough to achieve the 3 E's of sustainability.

September 24 - The Vancouver Sun

California's Prop 90 Threatens Environmental Protections

In the guise of an anti-eminent domain measure, California's Prop 90 seeks to trick voters into adopting a policy that would devastate the state's ability to set aside land for conservation.

September 24 - The Planning Report

Sea Of Sameness

This column from the UK's <em>New Statesman</em> bemoans the drab similarity of English towns. A report concludes that 42% of the nation's town's are essentially 'clones'.

September 24 - New Statesman

In Genoa, Aging Italians Outnumber Children

This Mediterranean city epitomizes Europe's declining birthrate and the challenges cities face because of the aging population.

September 24 - The New York Times


California Sues Auto Industry Over Global Warming

With the State of California recently moving to seek damages from car makers, could auto manufacturers be the new tobacco industry -- ripe for litigation due to the global warming emissions from the vehicles they produce?

September 24 - The New York Times

Henry Cisneros Leading The Creation Of Workforce Housing

Despite a scandal-plagued post-Clinton-Cabinet professional career, Henry Cisneros has emerged as one of the nation's top affordable-housing developers. Now, "traditional" development companies are also edging into the market.

September 23 - The Wall Street Journal


ULI Honors Peter Calthorpe With Nichols Prize

Peter Calthorpe, an early pioneer of the new urbanism and smart growth movements, recently received the prestigious J.C. Nichols Prize for Visionaries in Urban Development by the Urban Land Institute.

September 23 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Toll Road Controversy Changes Colorado Law On Private Takings

When a developer proposed building a toll road under an 1891 law that allowed private developers to condemn property needed for a road, land owners protested, and Colorado changed the law.

September 23 - The New York Times

Planning 1-2-3

The Campaign for Sensible Growth, a Chicago-based group, has published a step-by-step guide to writing a comprehensive plan.

September 23 - Campaign For Sensible Growth

Judge Rules Against Bush Forest Roads Policy

Judge reinstates Clinton-era protections against logging, mining, and road building in national forests.

September 23 - The New York Times

Friday Funny: Celebrating New Orleans' Recovery

An animation by Mark Fiore reviews the New Orleans rebuilding effort.

September 22 - Mark Fiore

New York City Announces Major Sustainability Initiative

Mayor Michael Bloomberg announces a long-term planning and environmental sustainability initiative for New York City.

September 22 - Streetsblog

Development Pushing Out To New Territories

Developers are increasingly investing in remote locales as price appreciation slows in traditionally developed areas.

September 22 - International Herald Tribune

S.F. Redevelopment Opposition Denied On Technicality

A referendum opposing a redevelopment plan signed by more than 33,000 San Francisco voters has been ruled invalid, angering many who feel that the city is bending rules to appease developers and gentrify their neighborhood.

September 22 - San Francisco Bay Gueardian

High Hopes For Huge Toronto Park

Plans are underway in Toronto for the development of a huge public park along the city's Lake Ontario waterfront. Like many big cities, Toronto is utilizing abandoned and underused industrial lands to create an attractive destination.

September 22 - The Toronto Star

Thrown Out In Africa

For decades corrupt and unscrupulous waste disposal practices have targeted African countries for toxic dumping. Now the enormous surge in the production of e-waste is magnifying this problem.

September 22 - The Independent

Creating A Spirit Of Place

During its short history, the University of New Mexico at Taos has developed a campus spirit that reflects and complements its surrounding community and environment.

September 22 - Terrain.org: A Journal of the Built & Natural Environments

The Wal-Mart Battle In Southern California

A Wal-Mart supercenter celebrates its opening in Rosemead, while the city of Long Beach joins a growing list of cities that have adopted measures making it harder for mega-stores to open.

September 22 - The Los Angeles Times

Europe's 'Cities Of Stone'

An exhibition at Venice Architecture Biennale makes the case for using stone as a building block of future cities.

September 22 - International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture & Urbanism

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New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO

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