The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Climate Change and the Urban Water Crisis
As population growth and climate change set in, cities in developing countries will face major shortages of freshwater. A new report looks at how those cities could be affected and what preventive steps they should start taking.
Segregated America
Using data from the 2010 U.S. Census, <em>Salon</em> lists out 10 urban areas where race segregation is most prevalent.
As Permitting Rebounds, Planning Department Forced to Replace Automated System With Human
Building permits have surprisingly picked up in the city of Townsville, Indiana, forcing the city's planning department to replace its automated telephone response system with an actual human staffer.
New York Bike Lane Advocates and Opponents Unite Against Shared Enemy: Pedestrians
Bicyclists and drivers in New York City have been at each others' throat in recent months as the city installs new bike lanes throughout the city. After many bitter words, the former foes have joined forces against a new enemy: people on foot.
Unable to Distribute High Speed Rail Money, LaHood Throws Awesome Party
As state officials turn down or return federal money intended for high speed rail projects, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood used this seemingly unwanted funding to throw an epic party in Las Vegas.
New Ben & Jerry's Flavor Released: Janette Sadik-Pecan
Ice cream maker Ben & Jerry's has released a new flavor inspired by New York City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan.
Landscape Urbanists and New Urbanists to Settle Debate After Class, Behind the Gym
After months of debate over which ideology should guide the future of cities and urban development, New Urbanists and Landscape Urbanists at Harvard University are planning to settle the argument with a fistfight.
PR Consultant Re-Brands Shrinking City as 'Taking a People Diet'
With the recent announcement that Detroit's population has declined nearly 25% over the last decade, the city has hired a public relations specialist who promptly denied any problems in the city, arguing that it is simply on a "people diet".
Cash-for-Vote Scandal Rocks Top 10 Livable Cities List
Officials in Portland are accusing nearby Vancouver, British Columbia of bribing judges to buy their first place spot in a recent top ten list of the world's most livable cities.
9 Months After 9-Day Traffic Jam, A Baby Boom in Beijing
Nine months after a horrendous traffic jam clogged a Chinese roadway for 62 miles outside Beijing for 9 whole days, area hospitals have seen a fivefold increase in births.
Buses Add Car Racks to Ease L.A. Drivers' Uneasy Transition to Transit
Rising gas prices have pushed many in L.A. to ditch their cars in favor of public transit. But the switch has been tough for some car-tethered Angelenos, so the MTA has added car racks to its buses for those not ready to leave their cars behind.
Smart City Accidentally Downloads Virus
A brand new city in South Korea -- wired with smart grid technologies, a real-time control platform, deep sensing, simulation, and advanced analytics -- has accidentally downloaded a major computer virus.
Sharing Burritos Across the Border
Architecture prof. Ron Rael redesigns the U.S./Mexico border to encourage interesting interactions rather than just exclusion.
Los Angeles' First New Office High Rise in 22 Years Approved
The skyscraper, developed by Thomas Properties and financed by Korean Air, required a new signage district and a TFAR transfer. The development will provide a link between the Financial District and the emerging Figueroa Entertainment Corridor.
Chinese Megamall 99% Empty
New South China Mall in Dongguan, China has been 99% vacant since it was built in 2005. Is Chinese development running amok? Sarah Goodyear looks at a recent documentary that explains why the mall was built.
The Tricky Business of "Taxing" Non-Profits
Payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs) are a popular new way for cash-strapped cities to add to their revenue by swapping voluntary payments from nonprofits for property taxes. The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy evaluates this novel practice.
Shipping Containers for the Homeless
A project now being considered by the City of Vancouver, B.C., would overhaul a handful of shipping containers to provide housing for the homeless.
The Worst Cities for Traffic
INRIX, a traffic analysis company, recently released its 100 Most Congested Metros list. Los Angeles and New York predictably come out on top, but the more interesting finding is that traffic has increased significantly.
WalMart and Target: Your New Neighbors
Who ever heard of "small-box stores"? Retail experts say the Walmarts and Targets of the world should have great success with smaller stores in urban settings.
The Architecture of Openness
Critic Christopher Hume says that "an architecture of openness" is overtaking Toronto, foregoing individual personality for a greater sense of community and connectivity.
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.
