The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
An Unsatisfying Compromise in Chicago's Food Truck Wars
Will a new Chicago ordinance put the kibosh on mobile cupcakes and kabobs?
Final CA HSR Package Buys Partners Throughout the State
Although the first segment of the state's recently approved high-speed rail line terminates in California's Central Valley, a significant portion of the initial funding will go to improving rail lines from San Diego to San Francisco.
Privatized Housing Invades America's Military Bases
Gone are the days of drab cinderblock housing for America's military families. Taking advantage of an initiative passed by Congress in 1996, today's privatized military housing developments are larger and packed with modern amenities.
Funding Not the Only Variable in Sustainable Planning's Success
As Congress presses to eliminate funding for many of the federal government's sustainable planning initiatives, increased collaboration among agencies around smart growth policies may be irreversible.
Post-Housing Bubble New Jersey: Cities Lead in Population Growth
After the bust of the housing market in 2008, a striking reversal of settlement patterns in New Jersey gives cities the lead in population growth over once-booming suburbs and exurbs.
Reclaiming San Francisco's Market Street for Public Space
Following precedents from other cities, San Francisco is looking to redesign its famous Market Street by removing automobiles, creating raised bike lanes, implementing faster transit, and making for a more inviting public space.
Hope Floats Along the Bronx River
Michael Kimmelman paints an idyllic picture along the Bronx River in New York, where the waterfront along "one of the most blighted, abused waterways in the country" is being transformed park by park.
'War on Gardens' Spreads Like Weeds Across North America
Sarah Laskow notes the latest battlefronts in the growing 'war on gardens' being perpetrated by cities across North America.
China's Housing Tries to Go Green, but Fails
A so-called "eco-friendly" apartment complex complete with solar panels that derives more than 90% of its energy needs from coal? China struggles to take sustainable development seriously.
New Study Shows the Suburbs at the Cutting Edge of Racial Diversity in America
Diverse suburban neighborhoods now outnumber their central city counterparts two to one. How will increasing (or decreasing) diversity change America's suburban stereotype?
How NOT to Do Bus Rapid Transit
As Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) gains popularity, Annie Weinstock describes new standards for BRT, taking a lesson from some failing systems.
Friday Funny: The Cure for Our Purrlitical Problems
Sarah Laskow noted a significant milestone this week, the 15th anniversary of Stubbs the cat's election as mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska.
Slow Your Applause Urbanists, Exurbs Are Growing Fastest
New analysis from the Urban Institute and researchers at the U.S. Census Bureau shows that, despite the housing bust and economic recession, exurban growth in recent years has been significantly higher than in more densely populated areas.
Coney Island's Facelift Manages to Keep the Wrinkles
A city led effort to revitalize Coney Island's famous boardwalk and amusements, started amid much angst from longtime business owners, has managed to achieve a delicate balance somewhere between Disney and seedy, writes Joseph Berger.
What Do Architects Do?
If you have a hard time answering that question you're not alone, at least according to the ‘shocking’ and ‘depressing’ results of a new survey conducted in the UK, reports Max Thompson.
China Could Revolutionize Development Funding in the U.S.
The Bayview Hunters Point/Candlestick Point project in San Francisco looks like it'll be significantly funded by an unlikely source: the China Development Bank. Bruce Katz and Robert Puentes believe that this deal could change U.S.-China relations.
Where Americans Can Retire 'Like Kings'
Lisa Stark identifies the top ten U.S. cities were retirees can live on less than $100 per day.
CA High Speed Rail Bill is Now Law
In signing ceremonies in both Los Angeles's Union Station and San Francisco's Transbay Terminal (under construction), Gov. Jerry Brown appropriated $4.7 billion in Prop. 1A, 2008 bond funds that will be matched with $3.2 billion in federal HSR funds.
Is Creative Class Urbanism This Generation's Urban Renewal?
The 10th anniversary and updating of Richard Florida's "Rise of the Creative Class" has brought about a re-evaluation of "creative class" urbanism. Will Doig surveys a series of popular essays that question Florida's highly influential arguments.
Is Suburban Sprawl Worsening America's Historic Drought?
As the U.S. experiences its worst drought in over half a century, Kaid Benfield questions the connection with the country's suburban growth patterns over that same period.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
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.
