The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Examining the Impact of Municipal Budget Cuts
Reporting in <em>The New York Times</em>, Michael Cooper examines the ways in which severe municipal budget cuts are impacting cities across the country through the lens of San Jose, which has lost more than a fifth of its employees over four years.
Transportation Bills Going Nowhere Fast
With current federal transportation policy expiring on March 31, House and Senate recesses this week leave only 16 legislative days to craft some sort of transportation deal.
U.S. Population Growth Sags Despite Economic Upturn
The recession has taken its toll on U.S. population growth - both in babies born and immigration. While the recession officially ended June, 2009, growth rates continue to lag for the second consecutive year at .7%, the lowest since the Depression.
Ranking of Top Cities For Students Unveiled
Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), who specialize in education and study abroad, have recently released their first ever ranking of the fifty best student cities in the world.
A Battle Over Grand Canyon Development Nears A Grand Finale
Ken Belson reports on a massive development planned for a town located five miles from the south rim of the Grand Canyon, and the decades long battle amongst high powered interests and 600 local townspeople over the future of the area.
Bases to Places
With 235 U.S. military sites around the world set to be realigned or closed over the next ten years, Michael J. Coren asks whether the end of military bases will lead to the start of new public spaces.
As Interest in Biking and Walking Rises, Will Funding Keep Up?
Claire Thompson reports on new findings presented in the Alliance for Biking and Walking's 2012 Benchmarking Report demonstrating the rise in biking and walking, and the incongruity with recent attempts to defund bipedal infrastructure.
Is Homeownership Liberating or Limiting for Single Women?
As single women buy homes in unprecedented quantities, and much more frequently than men, Kate Bolick asks if female homeownership is liberating or limiting.
Encouraging Urban Retirement
As boomers retire at a rate of 10,000 per day, can they be discouraged from sprawling into suburbs and rural areas, where caring for them as they age can be more challenging?
Downtown L.A. Freeway Cap Moves Foward
The proposed "Park 101" freeway cap in Downtown Los Angeles could change the face of the city. But it faces huge obstacles.
Clean Energy is Victim of Payroll Tax Agreement
Apparently the payroll tax agreement reached on Friday in congress did not extend all tax provisions being considered. The deal allowed a number of tax breaks, including those for wind and solar energy producers, to expire, reports Brad Plumer.
Architect Charged in Firefighter's Death
After a yearlong investigation into a fire at an $11-million mansion in the Hollywood Hills, Gerhard Albert Becker, the architect who designed the home, has been charged in the death of a firefighter fighting the blaze.
Cuba Catches Real Estate Fever
Recent liberalization of the country's property ownership rules by President Raul Castro have unleashed decades of pent-up demand for real estate and construction in Cuba, reports Victoria Burnett.
New York and London Square Off For Bragging Rights
In London last week, a good-natured debate took place between Boris Johnson, mayor of London, and New York City deputy mayors Howard Wolfson and Robert K. Steel for ultimate mega-city bragging rights.
A New Arena is Coming to Brooklyn, But What's Next?
As a new basketball arena takes shape at the intersection of Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues in Brooklyn, Neil deMause investigates what is next for the controversial, and much changed, Atlantic Yards project.
America's Newest High-Speed Rail Service Begins
This past Wednesday, Amtrak debuted the newest high-speed rail service in the country, and the first outside of the northeast corridor. Where you ask? California? Florida? Nope, it's is Kalamazoo, Michigan.
New Tool for Building Sustainable Communities Debuts
Kaid Benfield brings attention to HUD's new Sustainable Communities Resource Center website, which provides best practices case studies and other information resources.
Why Rent Control is a Flawed Tool
Scott James reports on the ironic application of rent control laws in San Francisco, which results in people of relatively modest means subsidizing the housing of the extraordinarily wealthy.
BLOG POST
Is Tel Aviv the future?
<p class="MsoNormal"> If you run a google.com search for “The Death of Suburbia” you will find about 24,000 ‘hits.’ Some of the gloating over suburbia’s alleged demise is based on the facts that (some) suburbs have been hit hard by the current economic downturn, and that (some) city neighborhoods have become more expensive per square foot than than suburbs. (1) But suburbia as a whole continues to gain population. </p>
The New Skills Required for the New Economy
In response to recent emphasis by President Obama on strengthening the country's manufacturing sector as a key to economic recovery, Richard Florida sees knowledge-based jobs and new skills as the foundation for a new economic blueprint.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
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.
