The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
In Atlanta, A Transit Tax Battle Brews
Yonah Freemark reports on the conundrum faced by the 10-county Atlanta region over how to allocate expected revenues from a new sales tax intended to fund transit projects.
Redfields: A New Flavor of Infill
Following an ill-fated foreclosure in 2009, a residential project in Libertyville, IL finally finds its way while demonstrating the potential for an emerging field of redevelopment, reports Ann Dillemuth.
Point-Counterpoint on the Transformative Potential of the City 2.0
In respective reports on this week's awarding of the TED Prize, Anthony Flint and Diana Lind promote different opinions on the potential impact of this year's winner - The City 2.0.
Where Are Baby Boomers Going to Spend Their Golden Years?
John K. McIlwain breaks down the recent explosion in the "65-or-better" population – and what it means for urban regions.
How to Dissolve a Community Redevelopment Agency in California
An interview with Tim McOsker, one of the three appointees charged by Governor Jerry Brown to wind down the affairs of the Los Angeles CRA, reveals an insider's experience of the complexities of respecting contracts and mandates.
Water Infrastructure Takes Center Stage at House and Senate Hearings
Jason Jordan reports on House and Senate subcommittee hearings this week that focused on water infrastructure concerns and a proposed new program to better address funding and financing options.
Largest U.S. Municipal Bankruptcy Pending For Stockton
Stockton, a city of 300,000 in California's ailing Central Valley, may become the largest city in the U.S. to declare bankruptcy. Agreements with public employee unions and major bond creditors may be all that stand in the way of default.
Is the Shrinking Middle Class Driving the Growth in Home Size?
Lloyd Alter weighs in on the debate over the shrinking, or growing, size of American homes, seeing the influence of affluent homebuyers as driving an increase in size.
Changing the Paradigm of Urban Development
Jason Kambitsis speaks with Bruce Katz, the founding director of the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program, about his advocacy for taking a fundamentally different approach to urban development based on economic diversification.
Upping the Ante for Suburban Retrofitting
For the final topic in its blog series Lab Notes I, the BMW Guggenheim Lab has enlisted June Williamson to address repurposing buildings and urban infrastructure for more productive uses.
Chinese Women See No Humor in Lack of Potties
A current cause for citizen activism in China is the lack of public restrooms for women, writes Sharon LaFraniere. Recent efforts to stage "Occupy Men's Toilets" campaigns in multiple cities have garnered attention from the press, and authorities.
New York City to Pass Landmark Open Data Law
Sarah Lai Stirland reports on the new bill, that was to be voted on by the City Council on Wednesday, which would codify many of the principles articulated by open government advocates in recent years.
Where Is China's Middle Class?
According to Nate Berg, they're not to be found in the country's new megacities. In an article for The Atlantic Cities, Berg discusses a recent paper analyzing the outdated law preventing China's growth and prosperity from trickling down.
An Interactive Database of Location-Specific Costs Demonstrates Its Value
Kaid Benfield reports on the Chicago-based Center for Neighborhood Technology's robust, interactive Housing + Transportation Affordability Index, a fantastic resource for location-specific information, including housing and transportation costs.
A Smooth Process for Detecting Potholes
Brian Heaton reports on a new app being tested by the City of Boston that can automatically detect and map potholes, using your smartphone, as you drive on the city’s street.
Uncertainty Dominates House's Next Step in Transportation Reauthorization
The House is working to amend its transportation bill, but what takes its place is far from certain. Burgess Everett reports on speculation that the GOP is aiming to shorten the length to two years, and make a host of other changes.
Architecture Reborn, Through Public Interest Design
John Cary doesn't mourn the "death of architecture" prophesied by many, but rather sees it as an opportunity to refocus the profession for the benefit of society.
New Technology Simplifies 3D Space Mapping, in the Palm of Your Hand
Tech Crunch's Jay Donovan reports on a new app developed by Metaio, a leader in Augmented Reality technology, that allows users to map their own 3D space with a smartphone or tablet. The possibilities for planners and designers seem endless.
What Is the Best Way to Improve Safety for Cyclists and Pedestrians?
In response to an eye-opening Atlantic Cities article about the lack of enforcement of traffic laws in NYC, especially as it contributes to pedestrian and cyclist injuries and deaths, four esteemed debaters offer opinions on how to improve safety.
Miami Unveils Country's First Smart Stadium
IBM is partnering with the Miami Dolphins to bring its "Smarter Cities" technology to South Florida's Sun Life Stadium, reports Sam Laird.
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