The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

How Magnetically Levitated Trains Work

Magnetically levitated trains (Maglev) are more energy-efficient and quieter than traditional trains.

October 11 - Technology Review

Is Sprawl A Health Hazard?

Suburban sprawl makes it difficult for people to walk. A research project will study "neighborhood design, car use, and physical activity" to find out if health problems related to an inactive lifestyle can be linked to sprawl.

October 11 - The Boston Globe

Impact Of Terrorism On Real Estate

A white paper by the National Association of Realtors predicts a recession and a slowdown in the housing market.

October 11 - Inman News

New California Law Links Growth To Water Use

California has a new law that associates water-use planning with land-use planning for developments of over 500 units.

October 11 - The Los Angeles Times

Too Early To Design Memorial For Sept. 11th Attack Victims

Hans Butzer, co-designer of the Oklahoma City National Memorial, says it is still too early to design a memorial for those who died in the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks. He describes the process that resulted in the Oklahoma City memorial.

October 11 - The New York Times


WTC Towers: MIT Engineers Offer Analysis Of Collapse

A month after the terrorist attacks, MIT structural engineers provide an in-depth analysis of the collapse of the World Trade Center towers. They point out the vulnerabilities of tall buildings and present recommendations for strengthening skyscrapers.

October 11 - Scientific American

Exploring Under The Collapsed WTC Towers

Exploring under the rubble of the World Trade Center in New York, firefighters, police officers, and engineers have surveyed and mapped the damage.

October 11 - The New York Times


Creative Escape Routes For Evacuating Skyscrapers

Experts are considering bold new ideas for improving evacuation from tall buildings including nets, flying platforms, and parachutes.

October 11 - The New York Times

HUD, University Team Up To Create Future Housing Experts

For the second year, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the University of Maryland will offer a master's degree in public policy with a concentration in public housing administration.

October 10 - HUD News

Demolition Option For Detroit's Tiger Stadium

Detroit city officials have received proposals for the demolition of the unused Tiger stadium.

October 10 - GlobeSt.com

Canada Considers Electricity From Ocean Waves

Companies from Australia, England, Scotland and the U.S. will compete to build the first ocean-powered generators in Canada. Plants that generate electricity from ocean waves are aready in use in Europe.

October 10 - The Province

Pacific Island Nation Prepares To Flee Rising Ocean

An annual quota of citizens of Tuvalu will leave for New Zealand as rising sea levels blamed on global warming threaten to drown the island nation.

October 10 - BBC News

Casinos Not A Safe Bet For Economic Development

Experts say that casinos do not provide lasting economic benefits to communities.

October 10 - Scientific American

Breaking Up Los Angeles Is Hard To Do

Advocates of San Fernando Valley secession are demoralized. The new plan leaves them too dependent on Los Angeles.

October 10 - The Los Angeles Times

Tampa Takes The First Step Towards Light Rail

After five years of studies and public hearings, The Hillsborough County Area Regional Transit Authority voted to approve a plan to build a 20 mile light rail system.

October 10 - The Tampa Tribune

The Automobile Is The Nation's 'Engine Of Freedom'

Brock Yates writes that the automobile is the "engine of freedom" in the U.S. as motor vehices continued to operate after Sept 11th while other transportation systems were shut down, crippled, or encountered glitches.

October 10 - The Detroit Free Press

New Commuter Rail Plans In Southern California

A coalition of 10 cities in Southern California is looking at a 13-mile rail line. The plan, previously doomed, is steaming up.

October 10 - The Los Angeles Times

Perceptions Of Manufactured Housing

Is manufactured housing an affordable housing alternative?

October 10 - Fannie Mae Foundation

Quotes About Skyscrapers

Selected quotes about skyscrapers by famous personalities such as Henry James, Louis Sullivan, Lewis Mumford, and others.

October 9 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Balancing Security And Beauty

Roger K. Lewis writes about the importance of striking a balance between implementing security measures and "preserving an accessible and thriving urban community."

October 9 - The Washington Post

Post News

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.

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.