The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
BLOG POST
Swedes say whatever the Swedish is for "yes" to trams
The Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute has a (extraordinarily slow-loading) report out (in Swedish but with an abstract that comes very close to being in English) on tram and bus use. <a href="http://www.vti.se/pdf/reports/M948.pdf">Here's</a> the PDF of the report, but in a TechTalk public service, here's the salient bit, with a couple teeny edits, from the abstract:<br /> <br /> <blockquote>...public transport makes much more efficient use of the street area than car traffic. Trams are more than twice as efficient as buses, when the number of passengers carried is considered. IN the period 1986-1996 the European cities which based public transport on trams show a bigger growth in the number of passengers carried than do cities which rely on buses.</blockquote>
BLOG POST
PML: Planning Markup Language
The <a href="http://www.rehearsal.uiuc.edu/">Environmental Rehearsal Studio</a> at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (<a href="http://www.uiuc.edu/">UIUC</a>) has been working on developing a <strong>Planning Data Model</strong> and a <strong>Planning Markup Language</strong> (<a href="http://www.rehearsal.uiuc.edu/projects/PML/">PML</a>) based on the eXtensible Markup Language (<a href="http://www.w3.org/XML/">XML</a>) and the Geography Markup Language (<a href="http://xml.coverpages.org/ni2004-03-26-a.html">GML</a>) developed by the <a href="http://www.opengis.org/">Open GIS Consortium</a>. <br />
A Planning Career In... Shenzhen
The booming city of Shenzhen in South China plans to recruit thousands of experienced overseas planning professionals.
Despite Policy, England Fails To Curb Sprawl
The Campaign to Protect Rural England claims that a majority of local councils have failed to meet minimum compliance, thus promoting unchecked growth.
Riverside County Will Grow -- But Not As A 'Wall of Stucco'
Riverside County, California's adopts its new growth plan, which is one of the nation's most ambitious.
'Micropolitan' Puts Happy Face On Sprawl Problem
The new Census designation for regional centers anchored by cities of less than 50,000 people exposes how rural life becomes suburban sprawl.
Chicago Shows the World How Density is Done
Planners from all over the world 'drooled' over Chicago's density, mixed-use character and functional transit system, as the annual New Urbanist Conference convened this past weekend.
BLOG POST
Islands of Automation
Why should architects, planners, and developers be concerned about software interoperability and open standards for data exchange? Communication and the exchange of data between partners in a development project is crucial to the success of the project. Anyone who has been involved in a construction project before knows how many opportunities exist to mis-interpret even the smallest detail on a plan.<br /> <br /> Architect Jonathan Cohen concludes in <a href="http://www.jcarchitects.com/islandsofautomation.html">Islands of Automation</a>
Mechanisms For Market-Based Land Use Control
Using case studies and a national survey, this paper examines transfers of development rights (TDRs) and other market-based land preservation techniques like mitigation banking and density transfer fees.
The Costs Of Sprawl Reconsidered
The Heritage Foundation publishes a new report challening theoretical planning assumptions that sprawl causes increased costs.
Black Women Gaining Advantages
As job opportunities increase, Black women can afford their own homes.
Last-Minute Lobbying Rescues RI's Historic Tax Credit Program
An historic property redevelopment tax credit is spared from moratorium.
Paying the Price for Gas
Commuters in North Carolina's greater Triangle area do not have any choice but to drive amidst skyrocketing gas prices. Local urban planning experts blame consumer attitudes and the region's suburban character.
Residents Request High Density in their Neighborhoods
Surveys find that residents in the UK want high density development.
In Pittsburg, Arts Revitalize City
Pittsburgh's mayor says "Arts and culture is the genesis of the revitalization of communities.."
Declaration Calls For Education Shake-Up
An education conference underscores the need to radically rethink on how architects are taught urbanism.
HOPE VI: Evolution And Termination
Neal Peirce on why does the Bush administration wants to terminate the HOPE VI program.
The Anatomy Of A Deal
The Palm Beach Post exposes how one of the biggest deals in Florida since Disney evolved.
Lottery Approach To Affordable Housing
A new shared equity affordable housing model is being tested in Australia.
The New Demographics: Brain Gainers And Smart Belts
Soaring home prices in California and coastal cities are causing a demographic migration that could reshape the American landscape.
City of Clovis
City of Moorpark
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
