The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
World Climate Talks Convene As Emissions Rise
World climate talks convened in oil and gas-rich Qatar on Monday, and many eyes have turned to the U.S. Will it be receptive to a climate treaty in light of the devastation reaped on the Northeast by Superstorm Sandy? Can the world agree to a treaty?
Why Are Phoenix and Minneapolis Starting to Look Alike?
It's not the proliferation of chain stores and restaurants making some of America's most geographically distant cities look more and more alike. Ironically enough, local vegetation is to blame, as the country heads towards ecological homogenization.
Teaching Architects to Succeed While Serving the Public Interest
The Public Interest Design Institute encourages architects to embrace participatory approaches in design that address complex social needs; demonstrating that it's possible to "make a career as an architect serving those who need the most help."
Should Taxpayers Fund the Rebuilding of Coastal Communities?
In the "Room for Debate" section of The New York Times, five experts debate whether the federal government should continue to subsidize the cost of coastal reconstruction in the aftermath of storms.
How TODs Fared Through the Housing Crash
Transit-oriented developments multiplied and held their values comparatively well in the housing crisis. In this article, Josh Stephens explores whether the trend will continue post-recession, or if sprawl is poised for a comeback.
Why Are Traffic Deaths Rising Again in NYC?
After a decade of steady declines in traffic-related fatalities in New York City, amid a focused effort to improve traffic safety, Robert Kolker examines why such deaths spiked upward of 23 percent in the past year.
How to Unlock America's Bottom-Up Innovation
Thomas Friedman uses Chattanooga, Tenn. as an example of the "innovative thrust building, bottom-up, in the U.S. economy today." In an opinion piece for the Times, he urges leaders in Washington to help unlock America's embryonic growth surge.
Making Bike-Share Accessible to the 99 Percent
In cities across America, municipal bike-share systems have had a hard time reaching low-income and minority populations. As Chicago plans its new system for next year's launch, the city is developing measures to broaden the demographics of cycling.
Granny Pods Land in Virginia Backyards
No, this isn't a story about alien invaders, but rather an innovative form of housing that may revolutionize how aging Americans spend their final years.
15 Years Onward, What Has the Kyoto Protocol Done for the Planet?
Under the Kyoto Protocol, developed countries set targets for cutting carbon emissions relative to 1990 levels by 2012. As the globe gathers to discuss extending the expiring agreement, Duncan Clark examines its effectiveness.
FEATURE
Top Twitter Feeds 2012
We've augmented our comprehensive list of Twitter's top sources for news and observations about urban planning, design and development by recognizing this year's Top Ten Feeds.
Emulation is More than Flattery
We all have our role models in life. Never are they more pivotal than in the visioning required for placemaking. Failing to have patterns that perform economically, socially, and environmentally is a critical mistake says Nathan Morris.
Time Takes Toll on Loyal Opposition to Atlantic Yards
A decade of relentless, and exhausting, opposition by those "who saw democracy being trampled in the interest of a developer whose methodology they found offensive," has taken its toll on the ranks of opponents to Brooklyn's Atlantic Yards project.
Can Electric Cars Break Out of Niche Market?
Are you an environmentally aware, well educated, upper-middle class white man in your early 50s with a garage equipped with an electric outlet? If so, you meet the demographic to buy an electric vehicle. And that may be the EV's only potential group.
Why Cities Should Think Twice Before Rolling the Dice on Gambling
Seen as a source of economic development and easy money for cities (struggling or not) throughout North America, casino projects are neither a revenue panacea nor the win-win "economic bullet" that supporters claim, argues Richard Florida.
D.C. Limits Parking to Promote Bicycling and Transit
As part of a broader effort to encourage less vehicular traffic city-wide, D.C. is expanding permit parking and reducing on-street parking in some of the city's most crowded neighborhoods. Not all are happy with the changes, reports Tim Craig.
The Alarming Urbanization of the Amazon
Simon Romero discusses how new development in Brazil's fastest growing region is depleting the world’s largest remaining area of tropical forest.
BLOG POST
Toward Comprehensive and Multi-Modal Performance Evaluation
One of planners’ most important jobs is to help develop the indicators and frameworks use to define problems and evaluate potential solution. Often, a particular solution will seem cost effective and beneficial when evaluated one way, and wasteful and undesirable if evaluated another. It is important that we help develop comprehensive evaluation frameworks that effectively inform decisions.
Vancouver Hungry for New Food Strategy
Yolande Cole discusses some of the elements being considered for Vancouver's new city-wide food strategy, which "will include over 60 actions intended to expand [the city's] food system."
NYC Studies How to Build Resiliency
In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, a new task force convened by New York's Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and City Council speaker Christine C. Quinn will look into potential changes to the city's building code, with recommendations due next summer.
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
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.
