The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

50 acres of woodland are up for sale in Maryland, and while a developer has scoped the land as a good site for 25 homes, local residents are pressuring local and state officials to employ a little-used open space funding program to buy up the land.

August 12 - The Baltimore Sun

A promising new field of clean, alternative energy lies in the oceans and rivers. Capturing energy from waves and tides is no longer fantasy but gaining much attention; even power companies are investing in the field.

August 12 - The New York Times

Rising temperatures are changing native Alaskan's way of life.

August 11 - Voice Of America

A report by Institute for Urban & Regional Planning at Boise State University looks at competitiveness and quality of life of the Treasure Valley.

August 11 - Boise State University Public Policy Center

Developers are having to wait longer for project approvals, which may slow the city's recovery from Hurricane Katrina. HUD has denied the city's request to hire more staff using federal money.

August 11 - New Orleans City Business

Local land use regulations help define the character of cities, towns, counties, and entire regions, directly affecting the composition of inhabitants by facilitating or inhibiting rental properties and low-income residents. This comprehensive survey

August 11 - The Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program

The recent building spree of high rises in Philadelphia requires more oversight from planners if it is to truly benefit the city, argues one critic.

August 11 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Oil spill threatens Eastern Mediterranean coast and could also affect Cyprus, Turkey, and Greece.

August 11 - Democracy Now

Reason's Annual Privatization Report chronicles and analyzes the most important developments in privatization, outsourcing, and government reform.

August 11 - Reason Foundation

Small organic farms are scattered throughout Cuba that have been providing food for the country ever since the fall of the Soviet empire 20 years ago. The collaboration between the government and local farmers has benefited the whole country.

August 11 - The Independent

Smart growth summit on economic development, land use, community design attracts large audience.

August 11 - The Louisville Eccentric Observer

Based on quality of plans and competitiveness of bidding, billions of dollars in housing contracts were awarded to six companies, some with immediate political ties to the current administration.

August 11 - Yahoo! News

Nationwide, the rise of personal property tax bills has nearly doubled as compared to the level of personal income in the years 2000-2004.

August 11 - The New York Times

To combat housing prices that are increasingly out of reach for low- and middle-income buyers, the state has announced plans to develop 100,000 units of affordable housing over 10 years.

August 10 - The New York Times

Oslo and London lead the pack, while cities in emerging economies in Asia remain some of the best bargains.

August 10 - Yahoo News

Elk Grove, CA has one of the nation's fastest growing and cleanest bus systems, but has experienced a form of "hybrid melt-down" as a result of using the hybrid buses for regional rather than local trips.

August 10 - The Sacramento Bee

Neighborhood planning allows community-based developers to move beyond housing development and become community catalysts.

August 10 - Shelterforce Magazine

Neal Peirce writes about the potential of harnessing tidal energy.

August 10 - Abhijeet Chavan

Extinguished by renovations, regulations, and rust, the old metal fire escape veers towards obsolescence.

August 10 - The Oregonian

A citywide 'lights out' organized by environmentalists as a protest against the city's poor air quality failed to generated enthusiasm from residents or support from officials.

August 10 - CNN.com