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.

March 2 - the transport politic

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.

March 2 - APA - Sustaining Places Blog

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.

March 2 - Next American City

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.

March 2 - Urban Land

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.

March 2 - The Planning Report


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.

March 2 - APA

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.

March 1 - The New York Times - U.S.


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.

March 1 - Treehugger

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.

March 1 - Wired: Autopia

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.

March 1 - LAB|log

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.

March 1 - The New York Times

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.

March 1 - Tech President

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.

March 1 - The Atlantic Cities

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.

March 1 - Switchboard

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.

March 1 - Government Technology

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.

March 1 - Politico

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.

February 29 - Good

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.

February 29 - Tech Crunch

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.

February 29 - The New York Times - Room For Debate

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.

February 29 - Mashable

Post News
Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.

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.