The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Organizers Pushing Philly High Line

Community organizers in Philadelphia are leading an effort to convert a disused elevated railway into a park.

August 30 - The Philadelphia Daily News

In SF, You Are the Bike You Ride

Graphic designer Tor Weeks captures the essence of the bicycle culture in San Francisco by classifying the types of bikes by neighborhood.

August 30 - The Huffington Post

Seattle's South Lake Union a Jobs Bonanza

When city leaders proposed redeveloping the South Lake Union area of Seattle, they made big promises for job growth. Just a few years in, their expectations have already been exceeded.

August 30 - The Seattle Times

Minority Youth Lead Shift to Majority

Minorities are becoming the majority in the United States, and the shift is most pronounced in populations under one year of age.

August 30 - The Brookings Institution

Cleveland's Land Bank Fights Blight of Foreclosures

With a high rate of foreclosure, Cleveland instituted a land bank to rein in rampant vacancies. After two years, the program has made some headway.

August 30 - NPR


Dueling Observation Wheels Proposed in Las Vegas

Two separate developments are planning to bring supertall "observation wheels" to Las Vegas in an effort to bring tourists to the city as it struggles through the recession.

August 30 - MSNBC

California Cities Hoping Projects Lure Teams and Development

Cities across California are proposing new stadium projects in hopes of luring football teams and economic growth as a result of their new megadevelopments.

August 30 - The Architect's Newspaper


The Urban Planning of Burning Man

The annual Burning Man festival is underway in Nevada, and this piece from <em>The New York Times</em> looks at the urban plan that undergirds the event.

August 30 - The New York Times

Tea Party Creates Headaches For Planners

Tea Party activists have spoken out at regional planning meetings in California to protest what some consider conspiratorial plans to crush civil liberties under the guise of smart growth.

August 29 - California Planning & Development Report

Florida Businesses Counting on SunRail

Florida Hospital has planned their new facility around the commuter rail project, which they hope will reduce their need for parking for patients and staff.

August 29 - Progressive Railroading

Back In Service! Most NY Rail Lines Resume Operation

While most of the city's 22 subway lines resumed service on a limited schedule on Monday, the region's commuter rail lines didn't fare as well due to fallen trees and flooded tracks affecting some branches of MetroNorth and LIRR.

August 29 - The New York Times - N.Y. / Region

Mouse Utopia, and the Density Scare

John B. Calhoun wrote in the 70s about studies he'd conducted that looked at how mice would react when "overcrowded". Since his utopias often turned ugly, he (and many others) extrapolated the results to humans, giving density a bad name.

August 29 - CABINET

New Homes to Come With Energy-Efficiency Labels

Last year, developer KB Homes began putting an Energy Performance Guide (EPG) label on every home they build. Is this an idea who's time has come?

August 29 - Builder Magazine

Last in the Walkability Ratings

Franklin, Massachusetts tied for last place in WalkScore's ranking of walkability in the state. Taryn Plumb says the city isn't taking the ranking in stride.

August 29 - The Boston Globe

Mileage-Based User Fees Could Work, Says Study

The Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Minnesota has prepared a comprehensive report on the shortcomings of the fuel tax and how to transition to what they call a mileage-based user fee, a form of a vehicle-miles-traveled fee.

August 29 - University of Minnesota: ITS Institute

Public Showers Improve Health

The village of Shamen, China lacks running water, and scarcity has created a lack of awareness of water health issues. A complex new bathhouse aims to curb health problems and create a gathering place in the process.

August 29 - Fast Company

Gambling With Cities

What if gambling was legal all over the United States? Neal Peirce reviews Sam Skolnik’s new book, "High Stakes: The Rising Cost of America’s Gambling Addiction" and looks at what might be the result of bills pending in CA and MA.

August 29 - Citiwire.net

Extreme Makeover: Housing Policies Edition

As consumer real estate debt surpasses $9 trillion, TIME magazine examines four radical proposals that top policymakers and economists think will help turn things around.

August 28 - Time

Irene Preparation Causes Shut Down Of NYC Metro Transit System

In preparation for Hurricane Irene, the MTA is shutting down buses, subways, and commuter rail in the New York City metro area. Transit operated till noon on August 27, then will begin the 8-hour process to store the vehicles and prepare for Irene.

August 28 - The New York Times - N.Y. / Region

Brownfield Revitalization, or Gentrification?

Residents of the Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco fear that redevelopment threatens to gentrify the area in a way that pushes out low- and middle-income black residents.

August 28 - High Country News

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New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO

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