The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

<p>As plans push forward for the construction of a light rail system in Phoenix, Arizona, one man has refused to vacate the final property local governments need to acquire through eminent domain to complete the project.</p>

February 14 - The Arizona Republic

<p>A measure has been passed in South Miami that places a moratorium of construction of new two-story houses -- a measure aimed at preventing development of oversized homes, or McMansions.</p>

February 14 - The Miami Herald

<p>The city of Houston is looking to create a wi-fi wireless Internet access network that covers the entire city. If approved, this would be the largest citywide wi-fi network in North America.</p>

February 14 - The Houston Chronicle

<p>A $20 Billion transportation bond, approved by voters in Nov., was just the start. The governor and legislature have signaled interest in continuing toll road building via public-private partnerships financed by tolls, sure to upset many drivers.</p>

February 14 - The Los Angeles Times

<p>Ground has been broken on an expansive transit-oriented development in the heart of Hollywood. A new hotel, apartment complex, and shopping center are part of the project, which is situated above one of L.A.'s subway stations.</p>

February 13 - KNBC

<p>Urban researchers have released a report warning that Dublin, Ireland, may soon have a sprawling footprint comparable to Los Angeles, but with less than one quarter the population. The report also suggests more investment in public transportation.</p>

February 13 - The Irish Times

<p>100-year-old plots of organic farmland in east London are in line to be bulldozed to make room for development of facilities for the 2012 Olympics -- a four-week-long event.</p>

February 13 - The Guardian Unlimited

<p>Through the creation of 5 new mixed-use business districts, the low density and auto-oriented Miami suburb of Hialeah is looking to create new growth and economic vibrancy.</p>

February 13 - The Miami Herald

<p>This report from the <em>Environmental Law Institute</em> examines the role and relative success of 28 open space protection and conservation efforts. It offers guidelines for creating land use plans that allow for development and conservation.</p>

February 13 - Environmental Law Institute

<p>In Toronto, two opportunities to breathe life into the forgotten corners of the city.</p>

February 13 - Maisonneuve

<p>As Shanghai becomes a new world-class business capital, the city struggles to keep up with its rapid growth.</p>

February 13 - Business Week

<p>A new analysis on Oregon's Measure 37 reveals that many voters see mainly negative impacts of the law.</p>

February 13 - Sightline Institute (formerly NEW, Northwest Environment Watch)

<p>California's congestion pricing is based on a driver's economic rationality and self-interest.</p>

February 13 - The New York Times

<p>Charleston, South Carolina's signature street, King Street, is undergoing a major revitalization in an attempt to provide continuity to the urbanity and pedestrian friendliness of Lower King northward.</p>

February 13 - The Post & Courier

<p>Plans for a massive glass skywalk over the Grand Canyon, hotels, and a golf course are aimed at revitalizing a small reservation but critics say the development will commercialize a natural and national treasure.</p>

February 12 - Abhijeet Chavan

<p>In this latest episode of StreetFilms, Enrique Peñalosa, former mayor of Bogota, keynotes "Manhattan on the Move," a conference hosted by Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer.</p>

February 12 - Streetsblog

<p>Residents of leafy suburban communities are alarmed that the crime they thought they left behind in the city has followed them into their new neighborhoods.</p>

February 12 - The Sacramento Bee

<p>Prestigious Manhattan locations are being purchased by absentee buyers for their occasional visits, with ill effects for those who want to call Manhattan their first home. New construction is often targeted for wealthy part-timers, not residents.</p>

February 12 - The Wall Street Journal

<p>Higher interest rates, cooling housing markets, restrictive mortgages and more cautious banks are combining to choke off the home refinancing market. The current wave of mortgage defaults could be just the "tip of the iceberg."</p>

February 12 - The Wall Street Journal

<p>Recovery and reconstruction have seen rapid success in Sadr City, Baghdad's largest predominantly Shiite area. Many have moved to this former slum, while violence tends to occur mainly in Sunni areas of Baghdad receiving few recovery resources.</p>

February 12 - International Herald Tribune