The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Vending Machine Deal Upsets Venetians
Residents in Venice, Italy, are upset over a plan by the city to accept a $2.7 million subsidy from Coca Cola in exchange for placement of soda machines throughout the historic city.
Bringing God to the Urbanites
As the trend towards urban living grows, churches are rethinking how to approach the urban and religious. This article from a Baptist newspaper suggests that the faithful have been reading and absorbing Richard Florida.
China's Urban-to-Rural Migration
The global economic downturn is hitting China's urban factories. Millions of migrant workers who had left their farms for factory work are now facing the possibility of making an urban-to-rural migration.
America's Municipal Meltdown
Towns and small cities dependent on one or two industries are reeling in the face of the economic downturn and major budget cuts. Can the nation's large cities be far behind?
The Small City: Reconsidered, And Ready to Be Sustainable
Catherine Tumber writes in defense of the small city, long neglected in policy and revitalization, but poised to be an excellent resource for sustainable living.
FEATURE
Top 8 Public Space Design Books
Managing Editor Tim Halbur selects his favorite books for designing and planning public spaces.
'The Ultimate User-Generated City'
A look inside the real slum featured in the movie "Slumdog Millionaire". The film won 8 Oscars including Best Picture.
Stitching the Home of the Future
An architecture student's entry in a design contest sponsored by BMW proposes a new form of living space, utilizing new synthetic skins to build flexible living areas.
Wired Says: It's Time for Cities to Favor People, Not Cars
Wired Magazine figures out what the planning world already knows- that there is a need to shift planning policies away from auto-oriented development and towards the pedestrian.
For Big Events, Transit Beats Cars
Twice in the last month, planning expert Bill Fulton has ridden public transit to and from large public events. In both cases, transit was far more effective than driving.
Toronto Better Off As Recession Slows Growth
The recession and the end of the age of fast-growth will be a good thing for Toronto, argues Christopher Hume.
Cities To Take Hit As Property Taxes Drop
As the economy dives and housing values plummet, revenue from property taxes is expected to fall over the next few years, making things tough for many cities.
Visualizing The World's Public Transit
This info-graphic from <em>Good</em> compares subways an rapid transit rail systems from around the world, by track miles and ridership.
Condo Composting
With few options besides sending food scraps to landfills, New Yorkers are composting in their homes.
The Dying Malls of Pittsburgh
Word from Pittsburgh that malls in the greater metro area are failing, from Frazer to Monroeville to West Mifflin.
BIDs Bring Down Crime
A new study of Los Angeles Business Improvement Districts shows that private security provided by BIDs has reduced crime in these areas more than in the rest of the city.
BLOG POST
“Who Am I?” And Other Very Practical Questions
<p> From the first day of the semester, I could tell my Urban Design Methods course was going to be different from the others I've taken in planning school so far. </p> <p> “Call me at home. I’m up till midnight,” the professor told us. <em>I’m</em> not up till midnight. </p> <p> He asks us questions like, “What is your design identity?” “What three adjectives describe you as a designer?” “Who <em>are</em> you?” It makes grad school feel kind of like therapy. Really, really expensive therapy. </p>
Mayors Warned by Obama to Spend Wisely
President Obama warns America's mayors not to spend the stimulus dollars carelessly or on politically-motivated projects. [Includes video]
BLOG POST
Walkability and the City Beauty Quotient
There's no shortage of writing and conjecture on New York City when it comes to urban and city issues. But one subject that has been neglected in the urban academic discourse is the city's incredible concentration of beautiful women.<br /> <br /> It's amazing. It's like you can't avoid them, not that you'd want to. Walking down the street in New York City is like walking down a fashion runway. With cross traffic. And no security guards trying to tackle you.<br />
One Hundred Miles
County of Mendocino
planning NEXT
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Montrose County
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority
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.
