The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Boutique Cities Aren't The Problem

<p>Responding to Joel Kotkin's critique of cities who woo "creative class" over the middle class, Jerold Kayden, director of urban planning at Harvard Graduate School of Design, argues that revitalizing cities isn't as simple as copying sunbelt cities.</p>

December 14 - Christian Madera

An Air Quality Version Of An Economic Enterprise Zone?

<p>In a bold, creative attempt to bring more federal and state funds to solve the air pollution problem in California's Central Valley, local leaders hope to declare the region an "air quality empowerment zone".</p>

December 14 - The Sacramento Bee

Milwaukee Launches Innovative Economic Development Website

<p>The new site, the latest in a growing number of online tools used to cultivate investment, allows companies to research demographics, find vacant parcels, and identify business assistance programs.</p>

December 14 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Home Ownership Within Reach Of More Single Women

<p>In New York and across the country, the number of single women buying houses and condominiums is on the rise.</p>

December 14 - The New York Times

Does Paying For Carbon Neutrality Really Work?

<p>As the carbon neutrality market grows, some experts wonder if the non-regulated practice is having any real effect on the environment.</p>

December 14 - Portland Sunday Telegram


Bringing The 'Community' Into The Community Benefits Agreement Process

<p>In a test case that could serve as an organizing model for other communities, the non-profit West Harlem Local Development Corporation has been created specifically to negotiate with Columbia University as it plans a major campus expansion.</p>

December 13 - City Limits

Sprawl Doesn't Decrease Social Interaction

<p>Critics of sprawl argue that sprawling, low-density development weakens social capital and the level of social interaction. A new working paper finds that these criticisms are unfounded, and in fact, the reverse is true.</p>

December 13 - UCI School of Social Sciences


A&P, Wal-Mart, And The American Consumer Identity

<p>Sixty years ago, chains like A&amp;P and Woolworth transformed American citizens into consumers. Shedding this consumer identity is key to turning back the big-box tide, says Stacy Mitchell, the author of a recent book on mega-retailers.</p>

December 13 - AlterNet

New York City Plans For More Growth, Success

<p>With a new study projecting major future growth, New York City Mayor Bloomberg is set to unveil a major planning initiative with an emphasis on sustainability.</p>

December 13 - The Wall Street Journal

Avoiding The 'Local Trap'

<p>With "localism" being trumpeted by all sides of the political spectrum, maybe it's time to ask if local needs are better served by nation states, writes Doug Saunders.</p>

December 13 - The Globe & Mail

Cal-i-for-nia, Here We...Leave?

<p>For the first time since 1994, more residents left California than arrived -- and this time the outflow includes even Hispanics. High housing costs are blamed for the shift in migration.</p>

December 13 - Associated Press via San Francisco Chronicle

Rental Housing Costs Increased 28% Since 2000

<p>A person must earn at least $28,475 a year to afford the fair market rent on a one-bedroom apartment in the U.S. in 2006.</p>

December 13 - CNNMoney

Orlampa: The Merging Of Two Cities

<p>A new world is emerging midway between Orlando and Tampa along Interstate 4. Some say as soon as 10 years, others, in 20 years, strawberry fields and pastures will be paved over and Tampa to Orlando will be one big metropolitan area.</p>

December 13 - Sun-Sentinel

Environmental Clean Up Regulations May Have The Opposite Effect

<p>One Maryland county cites that the state plan to restore Chesapeake Bay will actually create more sprawl and pollution.</p>

December 13 - The Baltimore Sun

Connecticut Needs To Train More Planners

<p>With no graduate urban planning programs at any of the state's public or private universities, the American Planning Association's Connecticut Chapter is working with University of Connecticut to establish a master's program in planning.</p>

December 13 - The Hartford Courant

The 'Prince of New Urbanism' In New Orleans

<p>Art critic Doug MacCash discusses everything NOLA with renowned architect and urban planner, Andres Duany.</p>

December 13 - The Times Picayune

Do You Need A Parking Space With That?

<p>While most cities are extremely reluctant to permit housing without parking, a few are taking steps to reduce or eliminate the typical requirements and allow developers to provide less parking and unbundle spaces from units.</p>

December 12 - The New York Times

Don't Treat Suburbs As A 'Sin'

<p>Columnist Steven Greenhut argues that Smart Growth ideologies mistakenly treat suburbia as a sin, and examines contracy evidence from a new study on suburban isolation and Wendell Cox's book, "War on the Dream."</p>

December 12 - Orange County Register

Cattle More A Greenhouse Culprit Than Cars

<p>A startling recent report shows that when land use (such as forest degradation) is taken into account, livestock presents a greater threat to climate change than the transportation sector.</p>

December 12 - Food And Agriculture Organization Of The United Nations newsroom

Taking Back Farmland In Brazil

<p>As poverty increases in Brazil and small farmers are pushed off of their lands into the overcrowded city's and ghettos, some groups are doing whatever it takes to re-distribute farmland to the poor.</p>

December 12 - Adbusters

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