The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Energy Efficiency is about Location, Location, Location

A new peer reviewed study reveals that housing located in compact, transit-oriented and location efficient developments are more likely to consume less energy than developments in low density suburban areas.

February 25 - NRDC

New Bill To Protect Bicyclists in California

Recent legislation introduced by Senator Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) aims to get the ball rolling when it comes to protecting bicyclists from passing motorists.

February 25 - Streetsblog LA

An Urbanized and Unequal Planet

In this piece from <em>Metropolis</em>, Joel Kotkin argues that as the world urbanizes, cities are becoming increasingly unequal and do not provide the opportunities they once did.

February 25 - Metropolis

Hawaii Gets Mass Transit

A rapid transit system gets closer to reality in Honolulu as officials conduct groundbreaking ceremony, while some still object to the project for aesthetic reasons.

February 25 - the transport politic

The Importance of Public Squares

With the recent developments happening in North Africa and the Middle East, public squares are taking center-stage as the epicenters of change.

February 25 - Urban Omnibus


Industry Leaders Gather to Discuss Future of Cities

A new conference that debuted in San Francisco this week is devoted to creating smarter, greener, and more prosperous cities for the future.

February 25 - Fast Company

Are The Olympics Truly Beneficial to Cities?

After having a hard time financing their Olympic Village, Vancouver, which was home to the 2010 Winter Olympics, has begun an new campaign to attract residents to the developments.

February 25 - The New York Times


Green Urbanism Principles

What exactly is Green Urbanism? The Next American City has a detailed explanation of the major principles of Green Urbanism all in a nifty slideshow.

February 25 - Next American City

Chinese Urban Planning Faces Major Hurdle

China's city planners are busy figuring out solutions to transportation issues at a time when the rapidly developing country has become the world's largest automobile market.

February 25 - The New York Times

Underground City Gets Master Plan

The city of Helsinki has developed a master plan for its burgeoning underground city.

February 24 - The Huffington Post

Music Video Promotes Bicycle Use in Africa

The video was created by a group of Kenyan teenagers who submitted it for the "1 Minute to Save the World Video Contest," which they won.

February 24 - GOOD Magazine

Report: Land Use Planning Key to CA HSR Success

A study suggests that changes in land use planning will be necessary for California cities to reap the full economic and environmental benefits of HSR.

February 24 - SPUR

Public Space and Revolution

Jay Walljasper discusses the role of public spaces in recent protests and revolutions from Madison, Wisconsin to Cairo, Egypt.

February 24 - On The Commons

FEATURE

Sustainable Community Character, and How Planners Can Create It

Planners' activities in a community have a direct impact on its character, says Edward Jepson, and can be pivotal in creating sustainability.

February 24 - Edward J. Jepson Jr.

Considering a 9th Ward Land Trust

Residents in New Orleans' still-struggling 9th Ward are considering the creation of a land trust to help revitalize the neighborhood.

February 24 - Miller-McCune

Federal Lending Should Support Local Transit Funds

The federal government should play a larger role in lending money to local governments for transit projects, and not just spending money, according to this oped.

February 24 - San Gabriel Valey Tribune

The Good and Bad of Vancouver's Olympic Legacy

This column from <em>The Seattle Times</em> looks at two of the physical legacies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, and finds both success and room for improvement.

February 24 - The Seattle Times

Treasure Island Towers Cut Down to Size

Towers included in plans to develop a new neighborhood on Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay have been slashed to better integrate with the island's development and surroundings.

February 24 - San Francisco Chronicle

Transit Breaks Ground in Honolulu, But Will Development Follow?

Ground has broken on Honolulu's long-planned rail system, but locals still worry that the new transit won't lure new development to town.

February 24 - The Honolulu Star Advertiser

Suburban Myths

Common conceptions about suburbs are fading away, according to William Upski Wimsatt.

February 24 - The Washington Post

Post News

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.

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.