The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
The Growing Popularity of HOT Lanes
An interview with HOT lane expert Jack Finn of HNTB, which asks the tough questions, like are these "Lexus lanes" bad for the poor, or the environment?
The Tension Between Density and Place
Looking at a battle earlier this year over a proposed 430-ft. high skyscraper in San Francisco, John Parman says the problem with dense buildings is that they need to work with the surrounding place types.
'Ugly' Tourism in Belgium
An entrepreneur in a declining industrial city takes visitors on an 'Urban Safari.'
Encouraging Low Carbon Cities
Controlling carbon emissions hinges on encouraging cities that have small carbon footprints, writes Matthew E. Kahn.
Da Vinci's Experiment with Town Planning (Yes, That Da Vinci)
Was Leonardo a proponent of sprawl? The Renaissance man evidently believed the congestion of cities caused plagues in Milan in the 1480s, and drew up plans for a new city with wide streets and a network of canals.
China Enters U.S. Wind Market, Drawing Criticism
Chinese wind-turbine manufacturers are making a push into the U.S. market. Some say the move will create green jobs and foster growth, while others worry it threatens America's still-developing industry.
Saving the Suburbs
Grist talks with Galina Tachieva, author of Sprawl Repair Manual.
On Acela's 10-year Anniversary, Amtrak Looks Forward
Without doubt, the pride of the Amtrak fleet is the ten-year-old Acela train, the closest thing to high speed rail in existence in the United States. This piece looks at the current service and Amtrak's hope for the future for the northeast route.
FEATURE
How Shared Space Challenges Conventional Thinking about Transportation Design
Shared streets -- the idea that pedestrians, bikes and cars can all navigate together in the same space -- is a fundamental rethinking of the underlying philosophy related to the design and operation of transportation facilities, write Norman W. Garrick and James G. Hanley.
The More Cars You Own, The More Likely You'll Default
That's the conclusion of a new study published in the Journal of Sustainable Real Estate. Higher WalkScores also show a decrease in defaults, unless you're in a low-income area, which results in an increase in defaults.
Protesters Blast Wisconsin's Refusal of Rail Money
Protesters in Wisconsin are trying to reverse governor-elect Scott Walker's opposition to stimulus-funding for high speed rail projects -- $810 million that the government would have paid the state.
Jersey City's 'High Line' Spurs Controversy
A proposal to redevelop an abandoned rail embankment in Jersey City has pitted preservationists and smart growth proponents against each other.
Billions to be Invested in Infrastructure Ahead of 2018 World Cup
As Russia prepares to host the 2018 World Cup, officials are predicting that infrastructure projects will see a major boost.
Animal Overpasses
Highways can be deadly for animals, especially when they cut directly through habitats. A recently completed design competition sought ideas for creating animal-safe bridges over highways.
Vancouver Considers Higher Skyline
The city of Vancouver is considering a plan to increase maximum building height restrictions in certain parts of town by 100 feet and more.
Jobs on the Rise in Rural America
More than two-thirds of rural areas in the United States have seen growth in jobs since 2009, according to this article from <em>The Daily Yonder</em>.
Troubles Persist in California's Delta
The process of re-designing California's Delta to protect endangered species, feed the state's farms and serve freshwater to its residents has become further complicated.
The Nation's Best and Worst Commutes, By Cost
<em>TheStreet</em> and <em>Bundle</em> have ranked the best and worst commutes in 90 American cities, based on costs and time.
Immigrants' First Stop: Suburbia
New data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that new immigrants have been heading to small towns and suburban areas rather than big cities over the past decade.
The Larger Importance of Small Parks
A new book shows that even small parks have the potential to engage social and ecological issues through thoughtful design.
City of Charlotte
Municipality of Princeton
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
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
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.
