The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Is Car-Share a Friend or Foe to Environmental Concerns?
The Sierra Club has opposed an ordinance passed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors that allows developers to add spaces above parking limits if they're dedicated to car-share vehicles. Does the plan violate the city's Transit First policy?
Schools: Planning's Enduring Blindspot
Schools are a prime driver of housing choices and transportation behavior. So why are schools and children often missing from the planning process? Ruth Miller diagnoses the problem and looks at how we can change it.
Britain Offers Planning Expertise for Nine New Indian Cities
On a recent visit to India, UK Prime Minister David Cameron offered his country's assistance in planning and developing nine new cities along a 600-mile corridor linking Mumbai and Bangalore by 2030.
Biofuel Boom Threatens Life on the Plains
A new study finds that high commodity prices and a biofuels rush have led to rates of grassland loss in America's northern Plains “comparable to deforestation rates in Brazil, Malaysia, and Indonesia.” Brad Plumer discusses the impacts.
An App for Outsmarting Meter Maids
As applications proliferate that take advantage of open data, it's becoming clear that some may be counterproductive for a city's bottom line. Take SpotAgent, for example, the new tool in the "technological arms race of urban parking."
Should Power Utility Customers Pay for Road Projects?
WI Gov. Scott Walker's proposal is to sell-off state assets, primarily state power plants to finance his transportation plan, thus linking rate payers with funding road projects. His transportation commission recommended raising the gas tax and fees.
Can Technology Help Involve More Low-Income Residents in the Planning Process?
Louisville will be the testing ground for an initiative that seeks to develop technologies to increase the engagement between low-income city residents and their local governments.
Ways to Fail at Form-Based Codes 01: Don’t Articulate a Vision
Like any tool, form-based codes must be wielded skillfully for beautiful results. Hazel Borys kicks off a series on ways we go awry.
Charleston Debates Whether Cruise Project Should Set Sail
As the cruise industry grows, being a port of call is an increasingly lucrative proposition. However, many cities are having a hard time balancing "the economic benefits of cruise ships against their cultural and environmental impact."
In Fitting Finale, NY Will Tear Down Robert Moses Parkway
From Niagara Falls comes news that the State of New York will rip out a two-mile stretch of the Robert Moses Parkway, which has divided city residents from the scenic Niagara Gorge for a half-century.
China Announces Plan to Tax Carbon
Part of a larger strategy to address its numerous environmental ills, the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases will begin taxing carbon emissions, possibly as early as 2015.
How Communities Are Fighting Transportation Injustice
Transportation costs disproportionately effect low-income families, while federal transportation spending biases affluent drivers over lower-income mass transit riders. Activists are utilizing civil rights legislation to challenge the status quo.
Seattle and Chicago Mayors Bicker Over Bikers
Back in December, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced his aim of attracting Seattle's bikers and tech jobs while opening a new protected bike lane downtown. Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn isn't taking Emanuel's entreaties lightly.
Rebuild or Retreat? NY Pols Take Sides in Post-Sandy Debate
New York Gov. Cuomo has proposed a $400 million buyout and relocation program, while Sen. Charles Schumer has joined the growing chorus calling for rebuilding to a higher standard in storm-damaged areas. Will their recovery efforts collide?
Even New York's 'Affordable' Housing is Too Expensive
A new report calls into question who's benefiting from the Bloomberg administration’s plan to build or preserve 165,000 affordable housing units in the city. Are federal guidelines to blame for 'affordable' units being too costly?
Local Planning Expands in the UK
Twenty English cities are joining an existing eight in the government's "city deal" program, which gives local governments expanded planning and financial powers.
America's Oldest Mall Gets a Mixed-Use Makeover
The Providence Arcade, thought to be America's oldest enclosed shopping mall, suffered the same fate as many of its 20th century brethren when it was shuttered in 2008. A developer seeks to revive the building as a mixed-use "micro-loft" complex.
Could New York be Carbon-Free by 2050?
A new report shows that New York City could be 90 percent carbon-free by 2050, "without breaking the bank," if it upgrades heating systems and transportation to renewable electricity, reports Taz Loomans.
Is it Time to Ditch Zoning?
As mixed-use development increasingly supersedes single-use development, Roger K. Lewis argues that we should retire the word "zoning" and its outdated "characterization of how we plan and shape growth."
Will 'Fracking Proponent' Be Obama's Next Energy Secretary?
Sources said that Ernest Moniz, former Energy Department undersecretary for President Clinton may replace Steven Chu as Energy Secretary. He now directs MIT's Energy Initiative and serves on Obama's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.
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
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.
