The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Adirondack Mountain Town Rejects Wal-Mart Supercenter

By a 3-2 vote, the Village of Saranac Lake in the Adirondack mountains of New York decides not to complete an environmental review for a Wal-Mart store.

June 9 - The Press Republican (Northeastern New York)

'Out of Proportion' Security Measures Damaging Nation's Capital

Plans for a massive new Pentagon-sized Homeland Security complex threaten to ruin one of the finest vistas in Washington, D.C.

June 9 - The Washington Post

New Orleans 64% Smaller

A new report from the Census Bureau documents Hurricane Katrina's effect on demographics throughout the Gulf Coast region.

June 9 - The New York Times

Great Lakes Wind Turbines Pose Formidable Risks, Enticing Rewards

The Great Lakes represent an excellent source of untapped wind energy, but the hurdles would be formidable, particularly the "visual pollution" aspect presented by the 400 foot machines.

June 9 - The New York Times

India's 'Green Building' Revolution Gathers Momentum

India's "green building" pursue U.S. LEED (Leadership in energy and environmental design) certification.

June 9 - Business Standard


Chinese Government Publishes Review Of Recent Environmental Policies

The State Council Information Office publishes a white paper entitled "Environmental Protection in China (1996-2005)", which "gives a systematic introduction to the unremitting efforts made...in environmental protection over the past ten years."

June 9 - People's Daily Online

'Landmark' Bill To Allow Sale Of Public Land To Finance Development

Growth advocates applaud a bill to sell public land to finance local projects but conservationists are worried about what they consider a dangerous trend that benefits only developers.

June 8 - The Los Angeles Times


Restricting Suburbia's Popular Cul-de-Sacs

Many suburban homeowners find the tranquility of living on a cul-de-sac the ideal choice. However, thanks to a rapidly growing group of critics, hundreds of cities across the nation are changing laws to ban or restrict future cul-de-sacs.

June 8 - The Wall Street Journal

House Passes Transportation, Housing, And Urban Development Budget

The new bill approved by the House Appropriations Committee "Provides for Smarter, More Efficient Amtrak Operations"; "Supports Aviation"; "Addresses Critical Housing Needs"; and "Funds Highway Spending", while cutting some critical programs.

June 8 - U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations

Local Municipalities Voice Concerns, Sue, Over U.S. Emissions

From the Inuit to the City of Portland, a chorus of local entities are fed up with the lack of environmental initiatives and standards set at the national level, especially as pertaining to transportation-caused pollution, and many have begun to sue.

June 8 - The Next American City

World's Desert Cities 'May be Living on Borrowed Time': UN Report

A new United Nations report states that while the world's desert cities are threatened by climate change and water depletion, they may also benefit from new investments in solar energy projects.

June 8 - The Guardian (UK)

Coal Exports Devastate Oldest Colombian City

Colombian exports of coal have been great for the national economy but a disaster for its main port and oldest city, Santa Marta. Air quality, the fishing and tourism industries, and the marine environment all suffer the effects of exporting coal.

June 8 - The Los Angeles Times

New Orleans 'Death Traps' Sinking Faster Than Expected

Ground subsidence near levees is reported to be much more drastic than previously thought, according to a University of Miami study.

June 8 - BBC

Cheaper To Provide Permanent Housing For Homeless People?

Many cities provide free permanent apartments first, then offer services and job training, to chronically homeless people. Eventually, formerly homeless people earn enough to afford the modest rents.

June 8 - The New York Times

Study Finds Alarming Air Pollution In India

Study by an environmental group finds high level of air pollution in Inda and inadequate mechanisms to track and regulate toxins.

June 8 - MoneyControl.com

Housing Demand Booms -- In South African Shantytowns

The rabid market for housing has spread from upper- and middle-class neighborhoods to the shacks of impoverished slum townships, with tens of prospective buyers for every property.

June 8 - The New York Times

Dramatic Changes In India's Vast Retail Market

Multinational corporations eye India's large retail market as Indian superstores expand.

June 7 - The Guardian Unlimited

Server Farms: The Hot New Land Use

The Washington farmland town of Quincy has signed deals with Yahoo and Microsoft to house huge new Internet data centers -- server farms -- and land prices are spiking. Low power costs and high connectivity can create a 'technology gold rush'.

June 7 - BusinessWeek

'Banking' On Open Space In Florida

Bedroom community Maitland wants to convert its strip commercial core to a downtown, but guidelines mandate open space. Redefining 'open space' has opened a door to greater intensity -- and controversy.

June 7 - The Orlando Sentinel

Sprawling Calgary Faces Increased Pollution, Car Dependence

With a footprint as big as New York City but with a tenth of the population, and with no natural limits on growth, Calgary struggles to rein in suburban sprawl.

June 7 - The Globe and Mail

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