The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Will the Near Future be a Harsh Climate for Suburbs?
In this excerpt from her new book, "Before the Lights Go Out" author Maggie Koerth-Baker warns of the converging crises of peak oil and climate change on suburban areas.
California Redefines Density
Census data reveals that California is the most urbanized state, with the most dense urban areas. But in California, sprawl, density, crowding, and urbanism are not always what they seem. Fortunately, a new law may help planners make sense of it all.
Tulsa Struggles to Balance Development and Parking
Accompanied by images of a partially demolished building, P.J. Lassek reports on Tulsa's conflict between encouraging development and providing parking amenities.
Bauhaus Treasures Beginning to Get the Care They Deserve in Tel Aviv
JoAnn Greco explores Tel Aviv's trove of neglected Bauhaus treasures, which date to the growth of the brand-new Israeli city as a haven for Jews fleeing Nazi Germany.
As It Turns 100, MUNI Showing Its Age
On the San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency's (MUNI) centennial birthday, Zusha Elinson reports on the sad fact that service is slower than it was when it began 100 years ago.
How You Benefit From Increased Biking, Without Ever Touching a Pedal
Jay Walljasper chronicles the growing influence of the bicycle lobby, and their persuasive argument that policies that are good for bicyclists actually benefit everyone.
The 10 Highest Profile Infrastructure Projects in the US
Ryan Holeywell and Daniel Lippman evaluate the country's five biggest on-going infrastructure projects, and the five biggest ones in jeopardy. See if your region's project made the cut.
UN Issues World Happiness Report
The first ever World Happiness Report, published by Columbia University's Earth Institute, reflects a new worldwide demand for more attention to happiness and absence of misery as criteria for government policy.
Do Urban Minds Think Alike?
Ryan Sager looks at the results of two recent studies that explore the ways in which cities, commonly lauded as bastions of diversity, actually incubate groupthink.
A Precipitous Price Drop for California's High-Speed Rail
Knowing that a $100 billion project stood a poor chance of passing muster in a budget-conscious state legislature, Gov. Jerry Brown shaved off $30 billion by using a "blended rail" strategy in the Bay Area and South Coast, i.e. sharing tracks.
What is the Future for Tradititional Neighborhood Design?
John Handley looks at the popularity of New Urbanism over the past two decades and asks whether traditional neighborhood design will continue to flourish in the 21st century, as the housing market rebounds.
What Would an Independent Republic of Texas Look Like?
With mockumentary-style coverage, NPR's John Burnett imagines the trials of a state's secession.
Are Retro Ballparks a Thing of the Past?
Twenty years ago, Oriole Park at Camden Yards began a revolution in baseball stadium design when it opened in downtown Baltimore. Two decades onward, Mark Byrnes asks if the retro ballpark movement is officially over.
Provocative Images of Cities Without People
The <em>Daily Mail</em> shares the wonderfully scary work of Paris-based artists Lucie and Simon, who have created "Silent World," a series of enchanting but disturbing images of the world's major cities, bereft of people.
As the Global Population Explodes, Experts Ask Where They'll Live
A conference held in London last Tuesday, called "Planet Under Pressure," provided a forum to begin to answer the question, reports Roxanne Palmer.
Public Water Works! to Grow Jobs, Protect the Environment
With a $600 billion investment gap facing the tap, citizens, organizations, and elected officials call for a renewed commitment to protect access to safe drinking water on World Water Day at Los Angeles City Hall.
Council for European Urbanism Analyzes Paris High-Rise Proposals
David Brussat, architecture critic for the Providence, RI, Journal, describes a new report from the Council for European Urbanism, which finds that the high-rises planned for Paris will not live up to their promises.
Romney Addresses Mayor’s Conference, Praises Building Heights
“I love being in cities,” said GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, at a recent Conference of Mayors gathering in Miami. “All of your buildings are just the right height.”
Desperate Dems Invite Japanese Station Master Cat to Lobby for Transportation Bill
Committee Member, Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA) said she was encouraged by reports that Tama's popularity back home in Japan has generated an economic impact estimated at ¥1.1 billion for the area surrounding Kishi Train Station.
California Redevelopment Officials Suffering Redevelopment Withdrawal
Since the dissolution of California's redevelopment agencies earlier this year, at least 20 former redevelopment officials have been admitted to a special facility to treat their "redevelopment withdrawal."
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