The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Converting Ocean Motion To Energy
Off Oregon's coast, researchers hope to pump electricity from the ocean.
Toronto Could Learn From Stockholm's Success
Toronto has been planning on redeveloping its waterfront for years, but the process is slow-moving. Across the world, a similar physical layout in Stockholm is boasting quick planning and successful implementation.
Oil Producers Deny 'Peak Oil'
In an effort to counter "peak oil" theory, the oil industry has launched a campaign to educate oil-consuming nations that plenty of crude is available, and alternatives to oil are not necessary. The US Dept. of Energy will also research peak oil.
Siberia: A Global Warming Time Bomb
While carbon dioxide has received the most attention as the primary greenhouse gas, methane, while less prevalent, is far more powerful in its ability to retain heat. The melting permafrost in Siberia represents a major source of methane emissions.
The Disappearing Corporate Citizen
A new paper from the Brookings Institute, "Corporate Citizenship and Urban Problem Solving: The Changing Civic Role of Business Leaders in American Cities," provides insight into the diminishing capacity for the private sector to engage in planning.
California's $20 Billion Transportation Bond
Despite facing no organized opposition and proponents having spent over $5 million to date, support for the $20 billion transportation bond, which will finance new roads and public transit, stands only at 54 percent.
An Interview With New York City's Bike Network Builder
Ryan Russo, New York City Department of Transportation's Director for Street Management and Safety talks about the city's aggressive plans to build out the city's bicycle commuting network.
The Rise And Fall Of The 6-Percent Commission?
Some argue that the 6-percent sales commission is a form price-fixing that is ripe for change while others suggest that lowering this figure would lead to less customer service for the consumer. Either way, the 6-percent commission is under attack.
San Francisco's Eye For Design
Ten homes on the 2006 tour for "Architecture and the City" month in San Francisco highlight what's hot in local residential design.
Veto Won't End Chicago's Living Wage Battle
As Chicago aldermen switch votes to back Mayor Daley's move to allow low wage jobs at big box stores, union officials vow to fight to require higher wages at these stores.
Should The Senate Bail-Out Amtrak?
This editorial from <em>The New York Sun</em> argues that a $1.6 billion bail out from the U.S. Senate is not the right way to fix the nation's perpetually struggling passenger rail system. International examples of success should be considered.
Boston Sidewalks May Go Rubber
The Boston City Council is considering an initiative that would require all new sidewalks in the city to be rubberized, using tiles of recycled tires as the city's walkways. Concrete cracking from tree root growth could become a thing of the past.
Housing Crisis Due To Government's Failure To Plan
Local government's preoccupation with regulating development and its failure to provide public infrastructure and maintain an attractive public realm is at the root of the current lack of affordable housing.
Friday Funny: 'The Hottest Hoax'
An animation by Mark Fiore uncovers the global warming hoax.
The Urban Big Box Battle
A proposed minimum wage ordinance in the City of Chicago to require higher wages for urban big box employees is defeated.
Megacities And The Future Of Architecture
An exhibition challenges stereotypes and explores the role architects will play in shaping the megacities of tomorrow.
Can Rural Areas Integrate Walkability?
A small rural community in Virginia is generating public momentum towards implementing a plan to make the town more walkable, going back to its heritage as a self-contained village.
Carbon Sequestration In the North Sea
Norway's oil giant Statoil has been injecting carbon dioxide deep into the North Sea floor for 10 years as a carbon sequestration method intended to reduce its "carbon dioxide taxes" to the Norwegian government.
Developers Form Institutes To Keep New Urbanist Ideals Alive
Seaside's New Institutes Program helps communities establish nonprofit organizations different from homeowners' associations.
City Indicators For Success
CEOs for Cities editorial writer interviews economist Joe Cortwright on what makes cities successful. Hint: Don't copy other cities.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
