The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Montreal's Cultural Identity Under Threat
Phyllis Lambert and Dinu Bumbaru author an opinion piece for the <em>Montreal Gazette</em> decrying plans to demolish a block of historic buildings on St. Laurent Blvd that reflect a key moment in the development of the city.
An Appreciation for the Early Promoters of Brownstone Brooklyn
Say what you will about the gentrification of Brownstone Brooklyn, but there's no question that Everett and Evelyn Ortner's regard for the neighborhood's historical treasures had a significant influence on its evolution over the past 50 years.
Controversial NYU Expansion Plan Gets Go-Ahead
Yesterday, New York City's Planning Commission voted nearly unanimously to support a slightly reduced version of New York University's controversial expansion plans for two superblocks in Greenwich Village, reports Tom Stoelker.
The Tragedy of America's Woeful Infrastructure Spending
In light of dismal jobs reports and a lending environment in which the U.S. is "paying better rates than when George Washington was running unopposed for the presidency," Jordan Weissmann rants about the country's lack of infrastructure spending.
Are Poor Customers Subsidizing Solar Panels For Wealthier Ones?
Lucrative for homeowners and industrial customers who can afford them, solar panels are not without their own issues. The equity issue - whereby the claim is made that poorer customers subsidize the utility costs of wealthier ones, is investigated.
Chicago Works to Add People to its Places
On Wednesday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel kicked-off Chicago's “Make Way for People” program, an effort to "promote economic development and make Chicago streets safer for pedestrians," by transforming the city's paved surfaces into people places.
What Are America's Smartest Cities?
Who says playing games can’t make you smart? A recent study by Lumos Labs evaluated users’ game scores across the country to determine which metropolitan areas in the U.S. are the smartest.
Copy and Paste Urbanism Completed in China
Chinese developers recently completed their controversial replication of the Austrian village of Hallstatt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reports Molly Oswaks.
In S.F., it's Tech Companies In and Diversity Out
Twitter’s move into San Francisco this month is part of a new trend of tech companies setting up in the city, causing rents to skyrocket, and forcing lower-income residents out.
Will the GSA Scandal Harm Design Professionals?
After being rocked by a scandal over extravagant spending, Tom Stoelker wonders whether the General Services Administration (GSA) and their hallmark initiatives, such as the Design Excellence Program, will suffer in the political fallout.
America's Most Endangered Historic Places Identified
Today, the National Trust for Historic Preservation unveiled its annual list of the eleven most endangered places in America.
New Video Game Explores Susceptibility of Smart Cities
The fact that cities are becoming more technologically reliant and interconnected is good, right? But, what happens if the controls of the "smart city" fall into the wrong hands? A new video game explores such a scenario, writes Nate Berg.
Introducing the Text Hall Meeting
A free platform that promises to "bring citizen feedback into the digital age" is being employed to help shape Philadelphia's comprehensive plan, reports Matt Bevilacqua.
Rise in Home Rentals Is Transforming a Neighborhood Near You
Julie Schmit explores what the "unprecedented" growth in the single-family home rental market means for home builders, school districts, and the consumer economy.
The Return of the Queen
John Yung traces Cincinnati's dramatic comeback over the last decade, and gives credit to the Center City Plan developed in 2002 by HR&A and Cooper, Robertson & Partners for laying the groundwork for the city's subsequent revitalization.
Alabama Outlaws Policies "Traceable" to Agenda 21
Isn't it great when our gridlocked government can finally come together to unanimously support vital legislation? That was the case in the Alabama state legislature last month when Senate Bill 477 passed both chambers unanimously.
Canopy Creates A Religious Experience in Lower Manhattan
Michael Kimmelman pays homage to an angular glass canopy, designed by architect Preston Scott Cohen, that has turned a pedestrian street in Lower Manhattan into a "social cathedral."
Is Transportation Deregulation the Key to Improving Our Cities and Economies?
Diana Lind argues that transportation regulations needlessly stifle competition that could "benefit our intertwined problems of high prices, congestion and slow service."
States Take the Lead in Implementing Driving Fees
With D.C. abandoning its leadership position in funding road infrastructure improvements, states such as Oregon and Minnesota are going forward with pilot plans to transition to road usage fees.
Revitalization's Best Friend
Marissa Gluck attributes downtown L.A.'s resurgence to some unlikely community development partners - our four-legged friends.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
Tyler Technologies
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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