The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Cities Make Broad Cuts As Revenue Declines

A study by the National League of Cities says how the economic recession has finally started to hit cities as property- and income-tax have decreased. Cities are balancing their budgets through layoffs, canceled construction projects or raised fees.

September 28 - Associated Press

Taking a Stroll With a Guide to Understanding Cities

In his critique of "Urban Code: 100 Lessons for Understanding the City," San Francisco Chronicle Columnist John King says how the book's formula for a city doesn't do justice to its authenticity.

September 28 - San Francisco Chronicle

Israel Criticized for "Counterproductive" Housing Development

Israel has announced the approval of 1,100 housing units to be constructed in occupied East Jerusalem, which is claimed by the Palestinians as their future capital.

September 28 - Al Jazeera

Is a Vibrant City Best Measured at Night?

Chuck Wolfe asks if a city's vitality is best indicated at night, and how it should be measured.

September 28 - myurbanist

Shanghai Crash Ignites Public Anger Amid Fractured Government Response

Officials are investigating the cause of a crash in which more than 20 people were seriously injured Tuesday riding the Shanghai subway. Citizens have voiced their frustration at ambitious rail projects they view as neglecting safety.

September 28 - Reuters


Five Cities With Five Different Congestion Solutions

Joe Peach compares the approach to mollifying congestion in five world cities, with contrasting results.

September 28 - This Big City

Benjamin Netanyahu's Land Reform Provokes Student Protest

Amid the backdrop of Mahmoud Abbas' application for Palestinian statehood, Jesse Fox critiques the Israeli premier for his antiquated plan to fast track sprawling suburban developments into Israel's rapidly diminishing open spaces.

September 28 - Sustainable City blog


From Waste Site to Walkable Village

Developers in Windsor, Connecticut are transforming a brownfield site into a $1 billion housing project, in the core of its corporate office center.

September 28 - The New York Times

Could a Commuter Tax on Chicago's Suburbanites Work?

Chicago aldermen are toying with just that idea, which would involve a one-percent income tax on those who work but don't live in the city. Hal Dardick reports on the discussion.

September 28 - Chicago Tribune

Using GPS to Help Ease Congestion in Beijing

GPS data from over 30,000 Beijing cabs have provided researchers at Microsoft Research Asia glimpses into underlying causes of congestion in the city. Typically, the culprit is missing or flawed connections.

September 28 - Technology Review

Housing Market "Years Away From Recovery"

Housing sales fell for the fourth month in a row, a bad sign for the ailing industry and the economy in general, writes Derek Kravitz.

September 27 - USA Today

The Sophistication of African Town Planning

Prof. Suzanne Preston Blier of Harvard unearths the ancient plans of Yoruban towns, which were laid out as early as 350 BCE.

September 27 - ASLA's The Dirt blog

A Perfect Laneway in Saskatoon

Paul Hanley gets excited about the worldwide trend towards turning "laneways" - alleys, in U.S.-speak - into great urban spaces.

September 27 - The Star Phoenix

San Francisco's Parklets a Success

Warren Karlenzig pays San Francisco a visit to tour its 15 "parklets", tiny urban public spaces carved out of underused road space or a couple of parking lots.

September 27 - GreenFlow

Winnipeg's "Tower of Pisa"?

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights, now under construction in Winnipeg, is drawing attention for its spectacular architecture and as a symbol of that city's revitalization.

September 27 - Globe and Mail

Smaller Can Be Better When it Comes to Traffic Solutions

With the worst traffic in the country (see previous story), Washington has big problems. But Stewart Schwartz suggests that big problems don't necessarily call for big solutions.

September 27 - Greater Greater Washington

The 2nd Worst Traffic Congestion in the U.S.

That would be Chicago, falling from the number one spot but holding strong at #2, according to the latest figures from the Texas Transportation Institute. Washington, D.C. gains the crown.

September 27 - The Chicago Tribune

A Skyscraper in the Arctic

Toronto architect Reza Aliabadi took a trip into the far northern reaches of Nunavut, Canada's Inuit territory. There, the flatness of the tundra and the stone stacks made by the Inuit inspired him to propose a stacked housing tower.

September 27 - The Globe and Mail

Stemming the Flow of "Unaccounted-for Water"

For decades, water utilities in Georgia have had a certain amount of water go missing - up to 30% of their supply, in some cases. With water becoming more precious, utilities are finally trying to solve the mystery.

September 27 - The Macon Telegraph

Oil Bonanza In Western Hemisphere

New technology is allowing massive investment in oil drilling in North and South America, from Canada to Argentina. This article centers on the investment in the region's two largest economies, U.S. and Brazil, and its effect on energy geopolitics.

September 27 - The New York Times - Americas

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