The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

<p>Sweeping guidelines have been approved in Shelby County, Alabama, that will strictly govern the development of housing subdivisions. The new regulations require a mixture of uses and an increase in walkability and green space.</p>

February 15 - The Birmingham News

Plans for a broad mixed-use, transit-oriented development have received approval from the Los Angeles City Council and County Board of Supervisors, moving closer to the creation of a what civic leaders hope is a cultural center in downtown L.A.

February 15 - The Los Angeles Times

<p>As another highrise condo development towers in Miami, local historic preservation advocates complain that the historic Vizcaya Museum's garden views will be permanently damaged.</p>

February 14 - The Miami Herald

<p>Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has announced plans to create a citywide network providing free wireless Internet access. L.A. will join more than 300 cities nationwide that offer wireless access.</p>

February 14 - The Los Angeles Times

<p>Public parks across the nation are increasingly depending on private funding. So what's wrong with that?</p>

February 14 - The Los Angeles Times

<p>The Unified New Orleans Plan was supposed to unite seven separate, and often competing, official Hurricane Katrina rebuilding plans. But it has not been able to sidestep the controversial need to align the physical city to its shrunken population.</p>

February 14 - Bloomberg News

<p>James E. Moore, chairman of the department of industrial and systems engineering at USC, argues that high speed rail linking major metro areas is not a solution for California's transportation needs.</p>

February 14 - The Los Angeles Times

<p>A historic New Orleans Catholic church lauded for its engineering ingenuity is now at the crossroads of recovery and respect.</p>

February 14 - New Orleans Times-Picayune

<p>As plans push forward for the construction of a light rail system in Phoenix, Arizona, one man has refused to vacate the final property local governments need to acquire through eminent domain to complete the project.</p>

February 14 - The Arizona Republic

<p>A measure has been passed in South Miami that places a moratorium of construction of new two-story houses -- a measure aimed at preventing development of oversized homes, or McMansions.</p>

February 14 - The Miami Herald

<p>The city of Houston is looking to create a wi-fi wireless Internet access network that covers the entire city. If approved, this would be the largest citywide wi-fi network in North America.</p>

February 14 - The Houston Chronicle

<p>A $20 Billion transportation bond, approved by voters in Nov., was just the start. The governor and legislature have signaled interest in continuing toll road building via public-private partnerships financed by tolls, sure to upset many drivers.</p>

February 14 - The Los Angeles Times

<p>Ground has been broken on an expansive transit-oriented development in the heart of Hollywood. A new hotel, apartment complex, and shopping center are part of the project, which is situated above one of L.A.'s subway stations.</p>

February 13 - KNBC

<p>Urban researchers have released a report warning that Dublin, Ireland, may soon have a sprawling footprint comparable to Los Angeles, but with less than one quarter the population. The report also suggests more investment in public transportation.</p>

February 13 - The Irish Times

<p>100-year-old plots of organic farmland in east London are in line to be bulldozed to make room for development of facilities for the 2012 Olympics -- a four-week-long event.</p>

February 13 - The Guardian Unlimited

<p>Through the creation of 5 new mixed-use business districts, the low density and auto-oriented Miami suburb of Hialeah is looking to create new growth and economic vibrancy.</p>

February 13 - The Miami Herald

<p>This report from the <em>Environmental Law Institute</em> examines the role and relative success of 28 open space protection and conservation efforts. It offers guidelines for creating land use plans that allow for development and conservation.</p>

February 13 - Environmental Law Institute

<p>In Toronto, two opportunities to breathe life into the forgotten corners of the city.</p>

February 13 - Maisonneuve

<p>As Shanghai becomes a new world-class business capital, the city struggles to keep up with its rapid growth.</p>

February 13 - Business Week

<p>A new analysis on Oregon's Measure 37 reveals that many voters see mainly negative impacts of the law.</p>

February 13 - Sightline Institute (formerly NEW, Northwest Environment Watch)