The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Bike Lanes Boost Local Businesses
A study of Seattle's bike lanes and small businesses shows that bike lanes strengthen local business sales.
San Diego Mayor Finally Succumbs to Scandal
A mayoral tenure that began with so much promise (especially for planners) has ended in disgrace, only months after it began. After mounting pressure from those outside and within his own party, a defiant Bob Filner announced his resignation Friday.
South Carolina's Capital Declares War on Homeless
Fearing that a growing homeless population threatens 'the new Southern hot spot', public officials in Columbia, South Carolina have instigated an aggressive program to rid the city's downtown of its neediest residents.
Janette Sadik-Khan Previews NACTO's Street Design Guide
Janette Sadik-Khan, NYC DOT Commissioner and president of the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), discusses NACTO's mission and forthcoming Street Design Guide: a "permission slip" for cities to change their streets.
Community Benefits Agreement in Brooklyn Draws Criticism from Local Organizations
An agreement between Related Developers and a community organization that has gotten substantial support from an area councilman to support a job training and referral program draws criticism from some groups who feel left out.
Please Use Bike Share, Just Don't Ride Home from the Bar
Cheaper than a cab and more appealing than waiting for a train, Citi Bike has become a popular means of late night travel for New Yorkers. The Times finds the need to point out to overly enthusiastic users that biking while drunk isn't exactly legal.
What's the Most Energy Efficient Way to Shop?
On his Per Square Mile blog, Tim de Chant has been kind enough to answer one of mankind's biggest existential questions: What’s more energy efficient, shopping online or in stores?
World's Oldest New World Globe Found on an Ostrich Egg
A collector has discovered the world's oldest globe to depict the New World, which may have originated from Leonardo da Vinci's shop in 1504.
Day Camp Introduces Middle Schoolers to Planning and Design
For lucky middle schoolers in Georgia, an innovative week-long camp uses role playing, field trips, and design exercises to prepare students for further education and careers in architecture, landscape architecture, and planning.
LA Conservancy Makes Case for Landmarking City's Pioneering Modernist Homes
After nearly a decade of work, the Los Angeles Conservancy's Modern Committee has succeeded in getting 10 of the homes built under the aegis of Arts & Architecture magazine's Case Study House program onto the National Register of Historic Places.
New Tool for Measuring Neighborhood Walkability
Watch out Walk Score, you've got some competition. Mapping company Maponics is measuring pedestrian-friendliness with a new tool called 'Walkability'. They measure several factors Walk Score doesn't, including crime, street type, and speed limit.
Are We Being Fooled Again By Census Bureau Misestimates?
The Census Bureau's questionable methodology for estimating municipal population growth has resulted in counter-intuitive and often outrageous numbers, warns Aaron M. Renn.
Containerizing the Opera
From student dorms to pop-up shops, the potential uses for the world's ubiquitous shipping containers seemingly has few bounds. A New Jersey parking lot and 1,300 containers play the part of the New York Metropolitan Opera's warehouse.
Friday Funny: Disney Planning More Vehicle-Themed Movies
If you love the transportation-related puns you've been subjected to over repeated viewings of Cars, Cars 2, and, now, Planes with your children, you're going to be excited to hear about what Disney is working on now.
Juice Up for Free While You Fly at Denver Airport
In a move that may quell 'range anxiety' for travelers, the far-flung Denver International Airport will soon be offering ten free charging stations for travelers to charge their electric vehicles while they're away.
The Real Jurassic Park: Why a Highway Widening Project Hasn't Been Entirely Bad for L.A.
The highway widening project that's slowed traffic along the already slothful 405 freeway for the past four years, and brought us the revelatory event known as "Carmageddon", hasn't been all bad news. It offers a glimpse of the city's oldest rocks.
In Absence of Global Action, Regional Partnerships Pursue Cap-and-Trade
California Air Resources Board Chairwoman Mary Nichols signed an agreement with Australia to share policy on reducing green house gas emissions. The Planning Report presents the following transcript of her remarks at the signing.
Exploitation or Affordable Option? Melbourne Debates Micro Apartments
The increasing scarcity of affordable accommodation in large cities has seen the rise of the 'micro apartment'. Taking its lead from studios but on a much smaller scale, this article questions the appeal of living in a space of less than 15m2.
BLOG POST
Obstacles to a "Metropolitan Revolution"
In theory, cities might be able to revitalize their economies and infrastructure. But in reality, state governments can create all kinds of obstacles to city policy.
New Report Aims to Help L.A.'s Urban Gardens Grow
A group of graduate planning student at UCLA have compiled the first comprehensive survey of urban agriculture in Los Angeles County, providing tools for planners and policy-makers to boost the area's agricultural fecundity.
Municipality of Princeton
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
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.
