The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

An interactive map from the bike-sharing consultancy Metrobike plots the world's active, proposed, and failed bike-sharing services. Willie Osterweil draws some interesting lessons from the data.

March 13 - Shareable

With the MTA comprising a significant portion of the city's workforce and viability, NYC mayoral candidates remain reluctant to commit to invest in the transit authority. Their comments at a recent transit forum disappointed advocates.

March 13 - Next City

Should architects recuse themselves from designing buildings that violate human rights? Raphael Sperry says yes, especially when it comes to two building types that are ethically troublesome: execution chambers and supermax prisons.

March 13 - The Architect's Newspaper

The need to put Detroit under emergency management wasn't the result of a single failed strategy, but the culmination of decades of poor leadership, bad decisions, and "crossed fingers," report Monica Davey and Mary Williams Walsh.

March 12 - The New York Times

The construction cranes dotting South Boston's waterfront are just one sign of the city's booming real estate market. Vibrant industries seeking to lure young professionals to downtown workplaces are helping to drive development.

March 12 - Bloomberg

Using funds made available by savings captured through administrative reforms and other sources, New York's beleaguered Housing Authority has made considerable progress in tackling one of its most pressing problems - its backlog of maintenance jobs.

March 12 - Crain's New York Business

Under the cover of darkness two years ago, Tallahassee's StarMetro completely overhauled its entire bus system, replacing its out of date hub-and-spoke model with a grid-like system over one evening. This year, the system was honored by the APA.

March 12 - Governing

You've seen the news reports of skyrocketing gun sales due to the possibility of tightened gun restrictions in the wake of the Newtown, CT tragedy; yet the headlines of vocal opposition to gun control belie America's declining gun ownership rate.

March 12 - The New York Times

Still under construction 130 years after it was designed by architect Antoni Gaudi, the Sagrada Familia is the longest running architectural project in the world. On Sunday, "60 Minutes" looked at how modern technology is aiding its completion.

March 12 - The Verge

We've long focused on the *what* when providing housing for seniors. Today Hazel Borys reminds us that the *where* is equally critical, if not more so.

March 12 - PlaceShakers

Supplying power and transportation to 10 billion people while limiting hazardous emissions may be the defining challenge of the century. Many energy analysts think renewables won't get us there, and are betting on a nuclear energy miracle.

March 12 - The New York Times

According to a new report, U.S. transit ridership increased to 10.5 billion rides in 2012 - a 1.5% increase over 2011, despite transit shutdowns and reductions caused by Superstorm Sandy. High gas prices, and their volatility, was a major cause.

March 12 - USA Today

The day before it was to go into effect, a New York State Supreme Court judge has invalidated New York City's ban on large sugary drinks, reports Michael M. Grynbaum.

March 12 - The New York Times

Matthew Power profiles Bradley L. Garrett, Ph.D. and his "research subjects," who are active participants in the urban explorer movement, which aims to "rediscover, reappropriate, and reimagine the urban landscape."

March 11 - GQ

The impending bankruptcy of the Highway Trust Fund a lack of clear purpose for national transport investment has Eric Jaffe asking if, after 120 years, we might be witnessing the end of federal transportation funding as we know it.

March 11 - The Atlantic Cities

Already popular in several sectors, 'gamification' is increasingly being used to educate and engage the public around sustainability issues. Can "using fun and games for serious purposes" bring about environmental improvements?

March 11 - The Guardian

With new bike paths, regional trails, and renovated parks, Cleveland is catering to bikes and pedestrians, says Steven Litt. He explains how this "car town" is "undergoing a revolution in attitudes toward public space, city streets and walkability."

March 11 - The Plain Dealer

Generalist Geoff Dyer delivers his walkability design tactics magnum opus on PlaceShakers. His years of practical experience are conveniently condensed for your consumption.

March 11 - PlaceShakers

In the 1960s and 70s, America witnessed a bike boom that sounds very similar to today's. Although it petered out, Tom Payne argues why contemporary circumstances have altered the long-term viability of a bicycling revolution.

March 11 - Urban Times

For all his intentions to help the poorest in his country, Hugo Chávez's handling of the golden goose - Venezuela's massive oil wealth, was badly mishandled during his reign. Output decreased, debt increased, and he left behind a polarized society.

March 11 - The Wall Street Journal