The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
L.A. Bike-Share to Launch in April
This week, Southern California-based Bike Nation, a new player in the bike sharing business that has pledged $16 million toward L.A.'s first bike-share network, announced that the system will launch in April, just a year after it was announced.
Light Rail Seen as Route to 'Big City' Status for Ottawa
By unanimous vote, Ottawa's city council approved the contract to build a $2.1 billion light rail system for the Canadian capital this week, reports David Reevely. The vote comes after the failure of a similarly bold rail plan approved six years ago.
Architecture for the End of the World
The good news is that we've survived yet another doomsday prophecy. Bad news - there's plenty more reasons to think our world is under threat. Vanessa Quirk looks at architectural responses to the threat - real or imagined - of apocalypse.
SF Housing Construction: From Bust to Boom
What a difference a year makes! In 2011, 269 new housing units were added while over 4,220 new housing units are now under construction. Gabriel Metcalf, executive director of the San Francisco Planning + Urban Research Association (SPUR), explains.
2012: A Banner Year for L.A.'s Pedestrians
Will 2012 be remembered as the year people realized that everyone walks in L.A.? Alissa Walker reviews the 12 events from the past year that demonstrate a changing perspective towards the city's pedestrians.
Coal Ascendant in the 21st Century
Coal burning is rising everywhere save the U.S. If no changes are made to promote alternatives, it will overtake oil as the world's top energy source within a decade according to a new report from the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA).
Biking to Work is a Slam Dunk
Lance Armstrong may no longer be the first athlete Americans associate with bicycle riding; and that may be a good thing after the last year he's had. This week, NBA MVP LeBron James's bicycle commute became national news.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Housing
South Front, in Wilmington, NC, made use of an abandoned and decayed, 40s-era public housing project, salvaging and renovating every building rather than scraping the site. Scott Doyon talks about several of the reasons that's cool.
Infill Development Picks Up Speed Across the U.S.
A report released this week by the U.S. EPA finds that 71 percent of the country's large metro regions saw an increase in the development of infill housing over the latter half of the last decade. Greenfield development still dominates, however.
Tempe Better for Bikes Than Portland?
This week, the website Walk Score announced the results of its expanded Bike Score evaluation. With more than double the amount of cities than initially ranked, the usual favorites (Minneapolis, Portland), were joined by some surprises.
Marking an 'Exciting Day' for Detroit's Development
This week Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed a series of bills passed during the State Legislature's recent lame-duck session that will have long-term impacts on the revival of Detroit and its suburbs, reports Kathleen Gray.
New Data Brings Holiday Cheer for Architects
In the past four years, the real estate and housing downturn has drastically cut billings at architecture firms. However, the Architecture Billings Index shows improvement for a fourth consecutive month and the highest reading since November 2007.
The Twin Cities's Worst Planning Mistakes
Tired of all those year end "Best of" lists? This should cleanse your palate. Marlys Harris has gathered a list of the nine worst decisions made by planners in the history of the Twin Cities.
Farmland Aplenty for Growing World Population
Worried about feeding the world's growing population, especially as it increases meat consumption and farmland is impacted by climate change? No fear - improved crop technology and slowing world growth will allow farms to be converted to wildlands.
Has L.A. Solved Its Most Important Transit Conundrum?
It's one of those news items that makes you ask: "Duh, what took you so long?" Los Angeles World Airports and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority are finally working together to identify how to connect LAX with the city's transit system.
San Francisco Exposes Privately Owned Public Spaces
San Francisco's 1985 downtown plan required large new office and hotel developments to incorporate public spaces, but the city is only now updating the requirements and reinforcing the initial goal of opening up privately owned public spaces (POPOS).
Charlotte Airport Turning Trash into Treasure
Air travel is a notoriously wasteful mode. But one airport is taking huge leaps towards sustainability. Julie Rose reports on Charlotte Douglas International's comprehensive recycling and composting program.
How Big Government Guides All Development
Conservative opponents of Smart Growth often decry the role of government in establishing the regulations and investments that incentivize it. But, as Bradley Heard points out, all development rights, smart or sprawling, depend on big government.
Will Designs Placate Critics of NY Public Library Reno Plans?
Much has been written, both in favor and against, ambitious renovations planned for New York's landmark Public Library building on Fifth Avenue. Until this week, those opinions were written without the benefit of the architect's design concepts.
Toronto's Crumbling Elevated Expressway: Repair or Remove?
As the full extent of the instability of Toronto's elevated Gardiner Expressway, and the city's apparent cover-up of the information, becomes clear, the new chief planner has weighed in on what the priorities should be in addressing the problem.
City of Clovis
City of Moorpark
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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