The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

One World Trade Center

Revealed: Designs for Final World Trade Center Tower

2 WTC was designed by Bjarke Ingels Group and already has a tentative lease agreement with Rupert Murdoch’s media companies, 21st Century Fox and News Corp.

June 9 - Wired

Canberra

FEATURE

Looking for Inspiration? Try a Daily Dose of a Satellite's Perspective

Here's a strange idea that just might work: viewing the planet from afar might offer the perspective necessary to care for and protect our place in the universe.

June 9 - James Brasuell

Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts Explained

With the dissolution of California Redevelopment Agencies in 2011, those looking to spur economic development have struggled to find alternative tools that create investment in communities where such investments don't flow naturally.

June 9 - The Planning Report

U.S. EPA Provides Guidance for Infill Development in Distressed Communities

Not every city is benefitting from downtown revitalization in the same way, so the U.S. EPA has released a new report offering strategies for in fill development in "distressed" communities.

June 9 - U.S. EPA

Uhaul Trucks

The New Housing Crisis: Declining Homeownership, Increasing Rental Costs

Research from the Urban Institute identifies market and demographic trends that could mean a future housing market that will stand in stark contrast to the "subprime mania of the early 2000s."

June 9 - The Wall Street Journal


Shopping Carts

BLOG POST

What is Urban Decay? (And Why the Answer Matters)

The ambiguous definition of 'urban decay' dilutes the argument for requiring this less-well-known environmental study.

June 9 - Reuben Duarte

Is Gentrification on Tap at Philadelphia's Pop-Up Beer Gardens?

Danya Henninger reports on the local controversy over a pop-up beer garden in the Philadelphia neighborhood of Point Breeze.

June 8 - Billy Penn


Questions About Operations of Cincinnati's Streetcar Still Need to Be Answered

The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) has been busy negotiating with bidders regarding the potential operations of the forthcoming Cincinnati streetcar.

June 8 - Cincinnati Business Courier

High-Occupancy Toll Lanes on the Table for I-66 Inside the Beltway

The Virginia Department of Transportation is underway with public outreach on a proposed project to add HOT lanes on 1-66 inside the Beltway.

June 8 - The Washington Post

The Partisan Transit Divide

It's not quite as simple as Republicans opposing transit and Democrats supporting it. It depends what level of government is discussing it. On the local level, demand for better transit can transcend partisan divides.

June 8 - Roll Call

Bus Stop Winter

People Still Want Buses, But Buses Aren't Delivering

Urban light rail has enjoyed a renaissance since the Great Recession, but during the same period cities have quietly reduced bus service. Daniel Hertz argues that while rail is commendable, buses remain a vital transit component.

June 8 - City Observatory City Commentary

Should Young Artists Move to Detroit?

Two University of North Carolina School of the Arts students spend a month investigating the artistic climate of Detroit and whether it's a place where young theater artists should move.

June 8 - Investigate Detroit

Santa Monica

Op-Ed Decries Santa Monica's Airbnb Ban

By exiling short-term renters, the coastal city of Santa Monica shifts its housing burden onto neighboring areas. That burden, according to this op-ed, contradicts the city's sustainability commitment and further limits scarce residential options.

June 8 - Santa Monica Daily Press

The Exorbitant External Costs Caused by the Trucking Industry

A new report from the Congressional Budget Office places the spotlight on the trucking industry in terms of the social, health ,and environmental costs it imposes on society but does not pay for, i.e., externalities.

June 8 - City Observatory City Commentary

McMansion

More McMansions: Upscaling Suburbia

According to this article, the market forces behind large home construction are alive and well. In a process of suburban gentrification, developers purchase older, smaller homes and build "McMansions" in their place.

June 8 - Bloomberg

Delhi Skyline

Confronting India's Urban Disaster

Contrary to popular belief, Beijing's air pollution is not nearly the worst in the world. The air of Delhi, India, is twice as polluted. For expats, this disaster raises important questions: is it ethical to live, and raise children, in India?

June 8 - New York Times

Tour Montparnasse

Architects Defend the World's 'Most Hated' Buildings

Not every building can be a winner, and some buildings that aspired to greatness fall short in public esteem. Yet maybe some of the buildings that world loves to hate deserve a second look.

June 7 - The New York Times

Designs Revealed for 'The Commons' Park in Downtown Minneapolis

A 4.2-acre park to be located next to the future home of the Minnesota Vikings will offer something for everyone. The MinnPost has the latest on the park's design.

June 7 - MinnPost

The States Leading the Adoption of Electric Vehicles

A report from Navigant Research projects the growth of the domestic markets for plug-in electric vehicles. Spoiler: California dominates the list.

June 7 - Route 50

$3 Million for Bike Stations Backs Up SEPTA's Bike Planning Efforts

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) recently released the budget that will back up the components of its first ever bike plan: the SEPTA Cycle-Transit Plan, released in April 2015.

June 7 - Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia

Post News

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.

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.