The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

UK Planning Bureaucracy Discourages Economic Development

England's planning policies may be reformed based on national versus local interests and needs, as the country attempts to secure deals with major international corporations.

June 27 - The Guardian

Boston Bio-Tech Hub To Develop More Housing

Though Cambridge's Kendall Square has long been a hub of employment, it has always lacked a significant residential component. With several projects in the pipeline, that is about to change.

June 27 - The Boston Globe

First New U.S. Nuclear Facility In 30 Years Could Open In 2009

The $1.5 billion National Enrichment Facility in New Mexico just received its license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The facility will produce the enriched uranium that powers nuclear energy plants. Construction may begin in August.

June 27 - Associated Press via San Francisco Chronicle

U.S. Transportation Chief Resigns

Longest serving member of the Bush cabinet, Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta has resigned.

June 26 - The New York Times

The Nexus Between The Built Environment And Public Health

Los Angeles' new Planning Director Gail Goldberg, and California Endowment head Dr. Robert Ross discuss how to build healthy communities through smart planning.

June 26 - The Planning Report


Environmental Law Halts Bike Plan In San Francisco

A 1970 environmental law, the California Environmental Quality Act, was used to temporarily halt San Francisco's bike plan from being implemented. The law ensures environmental review of projects that plaintiff's felt was inadequate for the plan.

June 26 - The San Francisco Chronicle

The Resurgence Of Maine's Grittiest City

The twin cities of Lewiston and Auburn have long been known as Maine's worst urban area. Today, it is using art, history, diversity, and culture to carve out its niche as one of the state's funkiest and most historical urban areas.

June 26 - The Boston Globe


Paying For Less Parking

The City of Portland, Maine, might join other cities around the country by lowering its parking requirements in exchange for a fee from developers.

June 26 - Portland Press Herald

Understanding Gentrification In San Francisco

Randy Shaw counters the San Francisco Chronicle's analysis of gentrification in San Francisco.

June 26 - BeyondChron

The Scar Inflicted On China By Coal Mining

Coal mining in northern China is ravaging many of its villages. Mining goes on without regard to the environmental destruction it causes and the devastating effects on China's rural villages.

June 26 - The New York Times

Kentucky Developers Hatch Plan Against Sprawl

Kentucky, a state slow to adapt the concepts of New Urbanism, eyes several developments that are walkable and pedestrian friendly.

June 26 - The Courier-Journal

Transit Agencies See Rise In Ridership

Discretionary riders, a demographic transit officials have coveted but have had difficulty luring, are using public transit more and more across the United States as gas prices rise.

June 26 - Wall Street Journal via forum.skyscraperpage.com

Duany Set To Lecture In Scotland

A lecture for the UHI Millenium Institute will be included in Andres Duany's upcoming trip to Inverness, Scotland, where he will be working with Moray Estates to plan a new town.

June 25 - Compass Online

Smart Growth Planning Produces Paradoxical Results

Economist Randal O'Toole argues that the contemporary smart growth movement, like past planning trends, ignores the inherent complexity of cities and produces paradoxical outcomes.

June 25 - The Globe and Mail

NJ Transit Villages Begin To Appear

Though not fully completed TODs, small pockets of development around transit have emerged with more to follow.

June 25 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Global Warming Confirmed?

A new National Academy of Sciences report may have confirmed a disputed 1998 climate change study showing that the last few decades were the warmest ever recorded; yet it hasn't settled the issue as to whether man's activity is causing the change.

June 25 - The Washington Post

As Katrina Cleanup Drags on, New Orleans Falling into Despair

The extent of destruction in New Orleans extends beyond the physical -- the social and civil society infrastructure has also been severely damaged, and is now unable to cope with a new impact of the storm: an epidemic of depression and despair.

June 25 - The New York Times

Urbanization's Toll On The Environment

The general consensus is that urbanization has had a negative effect on the environment, though its extent is difficult to define. Pollution is a common measure, and though some urban areas' air qualities are improving, others are falling far behind.

June 24 - BBC

Reducing Ecological Footprints In A House Of Hay

One man's Connecticut home has no electricity, heating, air-conditioning, running water, or even conventional walls. He's made a structure of hay and stucco his home for 20 years, and his meager lifestyle causes little or no harm to the environment.

June 24 - The Hartford Courant via The Chicago Tribune

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