The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
New York's Famous Brownstones Get a Facelift
The preservation and meticulous restoration of historic brownstones in Manhattan, and especially Brooklyn, over the last half-century has revived whole swaths of the city. A new generation of homeowners are exploring radical alterations to the form.
Federal-aid Highway Program Essentials
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently launched a new information-sharing initiative designed to help local public agencies and state departments of transportation manage their Federal-aid Highway Program projects.
Will a 'Mini Bilbao' Bring the Crowds to Central Michigan?
The newest art museum in the U.S. will open on the campus of Michigan State University this weekend. Designed by architect Zaha Hadid, the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum's namesake believes it will spur a "mini-Bilbao effect" for East Lansing.
Less Plans on Paper, More Practical Thinking Needed for Mumbai
Every 20 years, the Municipal Corporation of Great Mumbai (MCGM) publishes a Development Plan. Kristen Teutonico argues that past and current plans have been too grand for implementation and that the City should focus more on smaller-scale projects.
Should We Slow Down Our Pursuit of Rapid Transit?
Jarrett Walker examines the desirability of slow transit as argued by University of British Columbia Professor Patrick M. Condon in support of a vast streetcar network for Vancouver.
Is Your City an Innovator or a Follower?
Howard Blackson walks through the planning layers of San Diego for a history lesson as well as a look to the Next Urbanism.
Beneath Paris, Sights to Rival Those Found Above
Will Hunt explores Paris beneath the surface during a 14-mile trek underground with a group of urban explorers, and finds subterranean sights to rival those found on the famous streets above.
Will the Economics of Climate Change Alter the Politics?
After years of climate change denial by conservatives and muzzling by liberals, Superstorm Sandy made abundantly clear the economic costs of inaction. Will that be enough to spur political action?
The Politics of Sidewalks
In the aftermath of the presidential election, an observation by the star statistician Nate Silver about the connection between sidewalks and voting patterns has been getting a lot of play. Robert Steuteville tries to depoliticize walkability.
Iskandar Malaysia: The Future of Urban Living or Pipe Dream?
Across the strait from Singapore, Iskandar Malaysia is being planned as the world’s next eco mega-city. Its architects and developers hope it will offer an alternative to Asia's polluted cities and a glimpse of the future of urban living.
Should New York Build Sea Barriers?
As NYC struggles to cope with the damage from Superstorm Sandy, officials and experts are revisiting the possibility of building, at great cost, a protective barrier around its coast.
Gasoline Rationing Spreads to NYC, Long Island
With only 25% of gas stations in NYC operating, the mayor has instituted odd-even rationing that has proven effective in reducing lines in NJ. Meanwhile, MTA announced most transit and subway service have been restored to pre-Hurricane Sandy levels.
Friday Funny: Proper Punishment for an 'Idiot' Driver
A school bus driver in Cleveland is being credited with capturing the naughty behavior of a driver who decided she didn't need to stop for crossing children. Her penalty: wear a sign labeling her as an “idiot".
The 10 Diagrams That Changed Planning
A new exhibit that opened this week at the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association's gallery explores the 10 diagrams that have had a monumental influence on urban planning, and the possibilities inherent in the medium.
Can Obama Cure America's Housing Headache?
A series of seemingly intractable obstacles stand in the way of transforming the housing and mortgage markets to reduce government involvement. Peter Eavis asks if a second term president is exactly the force needed to overcome such obstacles.
A Cable Car Comeback
Sophie Landrin looks at the global rise in the use of cable cars - the kind you find on a ski lift and not on the streets of San Francisco - as a transportation alternative. Several French cities are developing plans to become "wired".
California Voters Like Jobs But Not Housing
In a dozen local land use measures Tuesday in California, voters approved jobs-oriented projects but not housing-oriented projects. Split decision on downtown plans.
Boston Has a Parking Pricing Problem
Patrick Doyle makes a persuasive argument for alleviating Boston's parking problems by raising the rates at the city's overly cheap parking meters.
After Setback, L.A. Mayor Still Intent on Speeding Transit Projects
In the aftermath of the seemingly narrow defeat of his pet measure to speed up the expansion of L.A.'s transit infrastructure, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa remains unbowed in his attempts to accelerate his key initiative, writes Ari Bloomekatz.
Legalizing Green Design
Across America, arcane zoning regulations and building codes prevent some of the most promising sustainable techniques and technologies from being built. A project based in Oregon aims to make land use regulations friendlier for greener building.
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.
