The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

The Miami Herald chronicles how the nation's most ambitious public housing effort in decades has become plagued by corruption and greed.

July 25 - The Miami Herald

As global competition increases, mega airports are becoming more prevalent, and more important. From Dubai to Hong Kong to Bangkok to India, these emerging 'airport cities', or 'aerotropolis' are being designed as the center of new urban regions.

July 25 - Fast Company

Los Angeles faces projections of a population increase of up to 5 million people by 2030. The city's residents and planners are trying to come to terms with growth as a necessity, but the city's developer-friendly attitude has angered many residents.

July 25 - Los Angeles City Beat

With the proliferation of home-design software, such as Google's Sketch Up, homeowners are designing their own plans, often times saving thousands of dollars in architect fees. But general contractors are leery of this new found enthusiasm.

July 25 - The Wall Street Journal

While working on plans for a new town in Inverness, Scotland, famed architect and town planner Andres Duany has assured critics and supporters alike that whatever is planned for Moray Estates will not resemble Seaside.

July 25 - The Scotsman

"Spare the Air" is a program operated by the Bay Area's air district to encourage use of public transit on 'bad air' days. They funded 3 "free transit" days to accompany the warnings. Ridership increased greatly but funding is exhausted too soon.

July 24 - The San Francisco Chronicle

As major cities around the country prosper, rich and poor neighborhoods are growing, while the middle class is increasingly left out.

July 24 - The New York Times

Bruce Katz, Vice President and Director of The Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program, outlines how cities can harness demographic, cultural and economic changes to successfully transform themselves into viable places to live and work.

July 24 - The Brookings Institiution

Nevada is experiencing an influx of new retirees and trying to cope with the surge of sexagenarians.

July 24 - The Economist

A popular and successful experiment to boost ridership on 26 Bay Area transit systems on designated "Spare the Air" days ends due to lack of funding, while some believe the plan may have been good for the local economy.

July 24 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Successful professional sports teams, the Super Bowl, and downtown growth are cited for their influence in the increase of ridership on the often maligned People Mover.

July 24 - Mike Lydon

Some homeowners are using their backyards as habitat for wildlife, providing food, water, shelter and a place to rear offspring for a variety of creatures.

July 24 - The St. Petersburg Times

A geographical study of the last four years of U.S. patents shows that innovation and inventions are happening in places big and small.

July 24 - The Wall Street Journal

FEATURE

July 24 - Sriram Khe

A tough critic begrudgingly congratulates the Dallas City Council for its courage in approving the city's new comprehensive plan, part of a two-year effort aided by Fregonese Calthorpe Associates.

July 24 - D Magazine

The city of Everett, Washington, is still working on a new plan for its downtown, but private investment is already starting to transform the area.

July 24 - Everett Herald

The U.S. has 30% of the world's motor vehicle fleet but accounts for almost half of the world's greenhouse gases emitted from motor vehicles. Small cars, not SUVs, are the greatest source. GM vehicles are responsible for 1/3 of these emissions.

July 23 - Los Angeles Times

To counter the growing backlash against suburbia from urban dwellers and environmentalists, one Kansas museum wants to establish a center dedicated to the study of the 'burbs.

July 23 - The Kansas City Star

The city, which has gained attention for its downtown development strategies, is getting a new planning boss.

July 23 - CBC News

A recent environmental strategy meeting at Wal-Mart headquarters was attended by a host of eco-celebrities, including Al Gore, and serves as another signal that the company is serious about improving its green credentials.

July 23 - Grist