The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
The De-Facto Privatization Of Local Government?
The dramatic increase in homeowners' associations has some worrying about the implications for local governance.
D.C.'s Metrobus: A Model of Inefficiency
A feature-length article in the Washington Post charges that Washington D.C.'s Metrobus, the fifth largest in the nation, has done little to adapt to changing times, and is plagued by problems.
The Case For 'Passive Survivability' In Building Codes
The concept of 'passive survivability' includes measures that protect inhabitants during disasters. Should these measures be incorporated into building codes for civic buildings?
Tsunami Priority: Homes
One year later, most survivors still do not have permanent shelter. Yet many have income again.
Affordable Housing Controversy in New York City.
What is the appropriate level of subsidization that affordable housing developers should receive? The article also describes New York City's unique inclusionary housing benefits.
America's Newest Suburbs: Aging Industrial Cities
A revival of industrial towns just outside expensive metropolitan areas accompanies the grueling commutes of the new residents. While describing the Lehigh Valley, the reporters also mention the far-out regions of Boston and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Do Homeowner Associations Make Good Neighbors?
As the number of people in Homeowner Associations has exploded from 2 million nationwide in 1970 to more than 54 million now, disputes become more expensive, and more frequent.
The New Orleans Levee Mess
The Los Angeles Times runs an in-depth investigation into the uneasy partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and New Orleans levee commissions that led to the disastrous failure of several levees.
Seattle's 'Rail Madness'?
A WSJ columnist blasts Seattle for its misallocation of public money to poorly devised rail projects at the expense of ‘real’ transit projects that improve mobility.
Legendary Transportation Engineer Alan Voorhees Passes Away
Voorhees was instrumental in designing the roads and transportation systems in at least four national capitals, including Washington.
Susette Kelo's Story
WSJ columnist Melanie Kirkpatrick tells the story of Susette Kelo: From humble abode to eminent domain.
Housing Boom Helps Lesser-Known Architects
The real estate boom has helped the fortunes of architects and developer who built in the 1960s and 70’s and who have been fairly obscure until real-estate brokers began resuscitating the reputations of lesser-known mid-century figures.
Keeping Traffic Moving: The Toll Taker
If you think your job as a planner is tough, thank your stars that you're not a toll taker.
Solar Permitting Fees Plummet After Study Shows Wide Cost Discrepancies
The Global Warming & Energy Committee of the Sierra Club chapter in Silicon Valley decide to highlight the excessive permitting charges of some local cities... and results happen.
The Housing Bubble Begins Bursting?
Home sales dropped in November by the largest percentage since 1994. Is this the beginning of the end for the real estate bubble?
The Long Fight For A Subway In LA's Densest Corridor
A political ban on building a subway through some of L.A.'s most dense neighborhoods is being lifted as traffic slows transportaiton to a crawl. But now, finding funding for a Red line expansion may prove nearly impossible.
Detroit's Finest Landmarks Receive Controversial Super Bowl Cleanup
The City of Detroit's effort to put a better face on the downtown for Super Bowl Sunday has its share of critics, as most of the $12 million set aside for streetscape and building facade improvement has gone to locations that need it the least.
Boston's Big Dig Faces Another Cost Increase
Government officials say that the cost of Boston's yet to be completed $14.6 billion dollar megaproject could increase by as much as $75 million dollars, an increase that would be absorbed by Massachusetts taxpayers.
How Does A City Develop A Brand?
Smart City Radio investigates why the branding of cities is so often done so poorly,
How To Privatize the Inner City
Could allowing homeowners in a community to pool their property for sale to a private developer be a suitable alternative to eminent domain powers?
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
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.
