The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

A new movie, opening today, looks at the work of Frank Gehry.

May 12 - The New York Times

Anxious to reduce gas prices, New York legislators agreed to reduce the gasoline tax by four to nine cents per gallon. Lost revenues could equal $450 million/year.

May 12 - The New York Times

AlterNet reports on a peak oil event in New York City, featuring James Howard Kunstler and Julian Darley, and calls into question Kunstler's use of language to frame the peak oil debate.

May 12 - AlterNet

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has included a staircase, rendered historically significant by its affiliation with September 11, on its annual list of the 11 most endangered historic places.

May 12 - The New York Times

Los Angeles City Council hopes to slow gentrification of downtown by approving a moratorium on conversion or demolition of low-cost hotels.

May 11 - The Los Angeles Times

The "median" planner is 42 years old, has been in the field for 13 years, specializes in community development and redevelopment, and earns $64,000. States with highest salaries are D.C., California and New Jersey.

May 11 - American Planning Association

An intact 19th century neighborhood has been placed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation's annual list of the nation's Top 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.

May 11 - The Cincinnati Enquirer

While so far only a "white-collar movement," the growing trend of biking to work is leading many cities to provide new amenities to bike commuters, and the federal government to propose employer tax breaks for each employee cycling to work.

May 11 - The Wall Street Journal

In Buckhead, a 6,000 square foot Norman-style house dwarfs its 2,700 square foot neighbors, while the City Council's Zoning Committee defeats the moratorium on "McMansions".

May 11 - Creative Loafing

Since 1975, environmentalists and their allies have fought to raise fuel efficiency standards in new vehicles. On Tuesday, another attempt was made. Meanwhile, an academic think tank testifies for an alternative approach, albeit an unpopular one.

May 11 - The San Francisco Chronicle

A U.S. foreign policy magazine and think tank have released a ranking of 146 nations by their degree of failure. Sudan tops the list.

May 11 - BBC News

A small Florida town is the center of another eminent domain controversy -- one that could displace nearly 20 percent of its population.

May 11 - Associated Press

In the face of skyrocketing house prices, some lenders are offering unprecedented 50-year mortgages.

May 11 - CNN Money

How a $10 gallon of gas would revolutionize life in America.

May 11 - The San Francisco Chronicle

An interview with Mike Davis, best-selling author of "City of Quartz" and his latest book, "Planet of Slums".

May 10 - Mother Jones

Latino population growth accounted for nearly half of the nation's population increase last year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released today. But growth is is led by births, not immigration.

May 10 - The Los Angeles Times

Leah Shahum, 34, is executive director of the politically powerful San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. She was just appointed by Mayor Gavin Newsom to fill a vacancy on the city's Municipal Transportation Agency's board of directors.

May 10 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Jane Jacobs brilliantly dissected the destruction of "inner areas" of "great cities," but she passed over the city districts that needed attention the most: less dense working and middle class neighborhoods, the ones that emptied out for the suburbs.

May 10 - The Santa Monica Lookout

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson tells a minority real estate forum that prospective contractors should keep their political views to themselves.

May 10 - Dallas Business Journal

Writing about nature in L.A. reflects the California dream and nightmare, and urban nature across the United States.

May 10 - The Believer