The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Los Angeles Imports 'Continental' Crosswalks
In what is either a hopeful sign of the increasing prominence of the pedestrian, or a depressing comment on existing level of pedestrian safety, the installation of a crosswalk in downtown Los Angeles this week was big news.
The Promise and Perils of Modern Disaster Communications
During and after Sandy, transportation workers had the responsibility of informing riders of changing conditions and schedules. Ray Rivera compares the different communication approaches of New Jersey Transit and the Long Island Rail Road.
Chicago for Sale
Mick Dumke dives deep on Mayor Rahm Emanuel's ambitious plans to "exchange public space and public rights for private cash." Has the city learned anything from the parking meter debacle?
For Wal-Mart, Coveted Permits Were Just a Bribe Away
An investigation by the New York Times, following up on earlier reporting, has unveiled Wal-Mart's widespread use of bribes to circumvent democratic governance and regulatory safeguards to construct controversial projects throughout Mexico.
Planning for Movement Chokes Urban Health
In his latest entry in KCET's "Laws That Shaped LA" Series, Jeremy Rosenberg looks at the impact that the Functional Classification system has had on the urban form of Los Angeles and cities throughout the country since its adoption in 1973.
New York's Next Post-Industrial Success Story?
Michael Kimmelman tours Fresh Kills landfill, once the world's largest garbage dump, and now a model for landfill reclamation and, unexpectedly, climate change mitigation.
Property Owners Try to Block Downtown L.A. Subway Construction
Fearing years of costly disruption from the construction of a key link connecting the region's rail systems, some of downtown L.A.'s largest property owners are suing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
1987 Tahoe Regional Plan Updated But Environmentalists Displeased
After 25 years, the Tahoe Regional Plan, a land use plan for the Lake Tahoe region encompassing both Nevada and California prepared by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, has been updated and approved by a 12-1-1 vote, though not without controversy.
What's in a Name?
"Detroit is the Paris of the Widwest", "Oakland is the Newark of the West Coast", "Chattanooga is the Cleveland of the Southeast" - a new website uses a navigable map of the world to catalog the many "X is the Y of Z" analogies found on Twitter.
In Seattle, Microhousing Provides a Back Door to Added Density
Developers in Seattle have been building ultra-compact apartments to provide alternatives to high housing prices. But these "aPodments," which take advantage of loopholes in codes, could bring negative consequences with the large increase in density.
Popular Refuge Demonstrates Value of Silence in the City
As recent reports show, there's little opportunity for escaping the growing din of the man-made world. The popularity of a silent retreat built in the middle of D.C. demonstrates a growing appreciation for the sounds of silence.
Toronto Reaches for the Skies
With fifteen skyscrapers over 45 stories under construction, Toronto is erecting more tall buildings than any other city in the Western Hemisphere. By 2015, the city is expected to have more than triple the number of skyscrapers than in 2005.
Moving Health to the Center of the Architecture Mission
Kira Gould speaks with AIA CEO Robert Ivy about a new initiative being led by the Institute to help quantify the relationship between architecture and public health, and demonstrate the value design can bring to affecting a community’s health.
Chicago's Bicyclists Get Protection With Innovative New Lanes
Last week Chicago became the envy of America's urban biking advocates when it opened the city's first two-way protected bike lanes in the heart of the Loop, reports Lori Rotenberk.
D.C. to Push the Envelope of Sustainability With 'Living Building' Project
Already an urban leader in sustainability with one of the most stringent green building laws in the country, Washington D.C. announced last week that it will create the city’s first “living building” as part of the Sustainable D.C. Budget Challenge.
Design to Support the Homeless
How might planners advance the dialogue with politicians and citizens for design that supports the 633,782 homeless people in the US? Howard Blackson offers some insights for San Diego, the 3rd largest population of homeless among US cities.
Blumenauer Proposes VMT Legislation
Vehicle-Miles-Traveled (VMT) fees have been ruled out by the president, and while studied and even implemented (on a trial basis) at the state level, have been hampered by the privacy issue. But Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer is not dissuaded.
Constructing the Perfect Gift List for Architects
Having a hard time finding the right set of t-squares or owlish black eyeglasses for the Howard Roark in your family? Check out the Holiday Gift Guide that Vanessa Quirk has assembled for ArchDaily.
Under Pressure, EPA Tightens Soot Standard
In what could be viewed as a classic environmentalist vs. business showdown, the EPA tightened by 20% the annual standard for soot over the objection of industry and some in Congress who fear it will dampen economic growth.
BIDs: Big Brother or Benevolent Boosters?
Should a business improvement district have an expiration date? That's the question some property owners in downtown Los Angeles are beginning to ask as they chafe at the "aggressive cleaning up" and additional tax assessments that fund them.
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
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Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
