The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

A recent study concludes that investment in wildlife refuges leads to economic rewards.

June 15 - THE DIRT

"Currently in its greatest period of park expansion since the 1930s," New York City has shown a remarkable commitment to expanding its open spaces, but finding the resources to maintain them is another issue entirely, explains Caitlin Blanchfield.

June 15 - The Architect's Newspaper

A new report from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies released this week claims that sprawl is poised to make a comeback after a pause driven by the recession, and not lasting changes in lifestyle choice, reports Robbie Whelan.

June 15 - The Wall Street Journal

From lawsuits to development pressures, Landmarks Illinois, the venerable voice for preservation in the state, has been doing its best to fend off challengers to the state's historic treasures. A new president hopes to help stiffen the defenses.

June 14 - The Architect's Newspaper

Although cities are looking to technology to help them better connect to their residents, get them involved in decision making, and share data, Silicon Valley has been slow to catch on. Emily Badger looks at one company trying to change this.

June 14 - The Atlantic Cities

Cities across the country are embracing the sharrow as a quick and low-cost means of expanding their bicycle infrastructure, but in at least a couple of cities, bike enthusiasts are questioning their effectiveness.

June 14 - Transit Miami

CityGardens is an award winning mobile app that can help tourists and residents find hidden parks and gardens in the middle of Paris.

June 14 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Lydia DePillis describes the "apartment iceberg" coming to Washington D.C. in 2013 that has developers on edge, and tenants salivating.

June 14 - Washington City Paper

Today, the American Planning Association (APA) released the findings of their 2012 national poll of Americans' opinions on planning. The results should have planners feeling warm and fuzzy inside.

June 14 - APA

If natural gas has a future, the key is to regulate hydraulic fracking in a report by the International Energy Agency. The New York Times recommends that all concerned about the environment read it - and no better place to apply it than New York.

June 14 - The New York Times - Opinion

The internet has been ablaze this week over whether Apple's newly announced operating system will eliminate walking and public transit directions by replacing Google Maps with its own mapping system.

June 14 - Grist

In rapidly modernizing, and urbanizing, India, young professionals find themselves cut off from their neighbors and small town traditions in fortress-like gated communities. The Internet is providing a platform for them to re-establish community.

June 14 - The Washington Post

Dr. Ralf Brand and Dr. Sara Fregonese have studied how culturally ignorant design has intensified violence in areas of religious and ethnic division, while more sensitive plans have peacefully brought people from different backgrounds together.

June 14 - The Atlantic Cities

Conor Myhrvold writes about the application of remote sensing technology to the search for ancient South American cities reclaimed by time and nature.

June 13 - Technology Review

Launched today by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Mayors Challenge will award $9 million in prizes as a down payment on urban innovation, reports Ariel Schwartz.

June 13 - Fast Company Co.Exist

With Los Angeles embarking on the "largest transit expansion in the United States," a new report looks at ways the city can preserve critical affordable housing in areas ripe for transit-oriented economic development.

June 13 - Better! Cities & Towns

Matt Bevilacqua looks at the real story behind headlines making news this week regarding the "fastest-gentrifying neighborhoods in the United States."

June 13 - Next American City

Sarah Laskow reveals what may be the greatest job in the world at the moment - those lucky Google employees who are helping to map areas of the world only accessible on foot.

June 13 - Grist

With Milwaukee's planned streetcar system a focus of campaign attacks by recalled governor Scott Walker on his Democratic challenger, and current mayor, Tom Barrett, Matt Dellinger asks if Walker's victory means the end of the line for the train.

June 13 - Transportation Nation

Bank of America is one of a handful of major banks to pump money into green initiatives, where they see an opportunity for new capital and a chance to improve their images.

June 13 - The New York Times