The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Slow Growth of Albuquerque's Answer to Sprawl Raises Questions
Stan Alcorn checks up on the status of Mesa del Sol, a 12,900-acre public-private project that broke ground outside of Albuquerque in 2006, and was planned to be the largest New Urbanist development in the Southwest.
Property Selling Binge on the Horizon for California Cities
Larry Kosmont, CEO of Kosmont Companies, walks The Planning Report through the California Redevelopment Authority's liquidation timeline, with advice for the private sector on the State’s impending property divestment.
Finding Parking in New York About to Get a Lot Easier
With a new pilot program, New York City is joining the growing list of cities launching apps to connect drivers to public parking spaces. A new app, called PayByPhone, will let drivers find and pay for parking from their phones.
Mixed-Use Redevelopment Aims to Bring High-Design to Notorious Denver "Mousetrap"
A $100 million project proposing to create a design neighborhood at a former printing plant adjacent to a notorious interstate intersection is being made possible by Denver's light rail expansion, and the involvement of a renowned architect.
Another Reason to Keep Kids Away from Traffic: Cancer
Add cancer to the growing list of ailments being linked to childhood exposure to vehicle emissions, say researchers from UCLA, USC and UC Irvine.
Will Midland Become the Dubai of Texas?
An online petition opposing a proposed 53-story, mixed-use "Energy Tower" began circulating in March. "Is this what we want to present to the world, that we're the Dubai of Texas?", asked the organizer. However, Midland is not new to tall buildings.
Transportation and Community Revitalization a Focus of Obama's 2014 Budget
In President Obama's newly released 2014 budget proposal, planners will find much to applaud. But what are the chances those nuggets will survive the contentious negotiations to come?
FEATURE
Planning Chicago: An Interview with D. Bradford Hunt and Jon B. DeVries
After decades of decline, Chicago is reveling in its resurgence as America’s hottest urban center and a “port of the global age.” However, these successes conceal a city struggling with increasing inequality and a planning culture “in retreat.”
Plan for Successor to L.A.'s Shuttered Redevelopment Agency Takes Shape
The state-ordered demise of the Community Redevelopment Agency has been a huge blow to redevelopment and affordable housing efforts in Los Angeles. A new plan being put forth by city leaders hopes to help fill that void, reports Ryan Vaillancourt.
At this Drive-In Cafe, Enjoy a Coffee Without Leaving Your Bike
As part of a plan to encourage non-motorized transport in Zurich, the city is experimenting with amenities designed to attract cyclists, including a rethink of a classic symbol of American car culture - the drive-in restaurant.
Gas Tax Legislation Facing Uphill Battles In VT, NH, NV
Now that Maryland has joined Wyoming in increasing its gas tax, who's next? Gas tax legislation in New Hampshire and Vermont have advanced to their Senates where going is rough, and a new, "two-cent a year for a decade" bill is proposed for Nevada.
Paolo Soleri, Visionary Who Merged Architecture with Environmentalism, Dies at 93
Soleri, the founder of the experiential community of Arcosanti, who in many ways presaged the modern sustainability movement, passed away on Tuesday at Cosanti, his home in Paradise Valley, Arizona.
What Infrastructure Crisis?
Evan Soltas pens a contrarian take on the state of America's infrastructure, equating those who repeatedly warn of crumbling roads and bridges to a bunch of "Chicken Littles."
The World's Most Amazing Train Trips
With the pleasures of train travel again attracting customers around the world, the staff at Executive Travel magazine have put together a list of the most scenic journeys traversed by rail.
Study: NY State Could Be Powered Entirely by Renewables by 2030
Experts say the switch to renewables has more to do with political will and market forces than available technologies.
Wide-Ranging Retrospective on L.A.'s Modern Architecture Misses the Mark
A new series of exhibitions being organized by the Getty Trust around the subject of LA's modern architectural history includes a significant blind spot, says Christopher Hawthorne. He outlines the prequel necessary to understand the whole story.
Excitement Builds as First New York Bike-Share Stations Deployed
Brooklyn Spoke excitedly reports on the first sightings of what will eventually become the largest bike-share system in the United States. NYC DOT has begun installing docking stations throughout the city.
What Does it Take to Become an Architecture Critic?
"Minimize description and maximize observation" were among the nuggets of advice delivered by Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Blair Kamin to a recent class of Harvard students eager to learn how to think and write like an activist critic.
People Replace Parking in Downtown Cincinnati
The planned replacement of a parking garage with a $94 million 30-story, mixed-use tower in downtown Cincinnati is a positive sign of the area's comeback. Now about eliminating those parking minimums....
A California Town's Quest to Become 'Solar Capital of the World'
Lancaster, California is known for nearby Edwards Air Force Base and being the childhood home of Judy Garland. But that may change thanks a Republican mayor interested in lowering public expenditures, providing jobs, and making a splash.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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