The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
A Library for Bikes
The University of California, Los Angeles has begun operations on a new kind of library -- one that rents bikes out to students.
'Livable' Sounds Great, But What is it?
<em>Grist</em> talks with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood about just what exactly "livable communities" are and how the government is planning to create them.
Preserving Detroiters' Way of Life
<em>Forbes</em> talks with Detroit Mayor Dave Bing about reshaping the city and how those plans will and won't impact long-time residents who may be opposed to change.
Small Counties on Edge Over Metro Atlanta Transit Debate
Suggestions of a county seceding from the Atlanta Regional Commission could threaten transportation funding in the region and hurt those towns looking to bow out, according to this column.
Urban Homestead Sectors, Naturescapes, and Green Venture Zones
A group called The Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD) released a report this week that breaks the city down into 11 different district types, each with their own character and policy recommendations.
Bike Sharing Becomes Part of Transportation Picture
Erik Weber of non-profit EMBARQ argues that bike sharing systems combine the benefits of cycling and public transit and is a sustainable solution for cities.
Bigger and Faster in China
The opening of a new 220-mph high speed train and the peak energy production at the Three Gorges Dam shows that China's been able to successfully launch major infrastructure project faster than the rest of the world.
New Toronto Mayor Backs Away From Anti-Streetcar Sentiment
Toronto's mayor-elect had campaigned on a platform that included plans to ditch the city's streetcar system. Now he seems to be backing away from that stance.
EcoDistricts to Rise in Portland
Portland has five "eco-district" pilot projects in the works. The first two are expected to begin implementation over the next year, and organizers are hoping they lead to more sustainability efforts throughout the city.
Defending The Livable Communities Bill
After Metropolis Magazine took a swipe at Sen. Dodd's Livable Communities Act of 2009, or S.1619, for being "All Carrot, No Stick" or worse, Grist comes to its defense as a necessary bill that would sustain Obama's current smart growth effort.
Will People Really Buy Small Homes?
Building smaller, more economical and sustainable homes is the talk of the building industry. But is it based on truth? Reporter Andrew Rice says it's anyone's guess with Americans will embrace the "spirit of contraint."
A Bigger Transportation Role for the White House?
The Obama administration has expressed interest in playing a bigger role in transportation and infrastructure policy in the U.S. <em>National Journal</em> asks its panel of experts if it's the right time for the White House to be more involved.
Census Participation Holds Steady
Participation rates for the 2010 Census have been released, and the national average of 74% matches that of the previous Census in 2000.
The 'Negligible' Building Safety Benefit of Helipads
In the second part of a series looking at codes in L.A. that require tall buildings to have flat roofs for helicopter landing, <em>Curbed LA</em> discusses a new building that has been exempted from the code and whether more are likely to follow.
The Fire Department Code That Flat-Tops L.A.'s Skyline
All buildings in Los Angeles taller than 75 feet are required to have a flat surface on the roof where helicopters can land, according to a fire department-mandated code. Now leaders are thinking about updating that code -- and the city's skyline.
Green Branding 101 for Cities
Marc Stoiber offers suggestions for bolstering a city's green image by looking at several cities across the globe that have found success at marketing their own sustainable urbanism programs and initiatives.
ARRA Misses the Ecological Mark
Hillary Brown argues that the infrastructure priorities of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act further the carbon-intensive status quo and miss an unprecedented opportunity to build innovative, green systems.
MTA Head Jay Walder: One Year Later
Walder’s arrival from London, where he transformed a flagging bus and subway system, brought high hopes for New York’s transit system, says Michael Grynbaum. But is he meeting the expectations of riders and officials?
Living Alley Establishes Permanent Roots in San Francisco Neighborhood
Street furniture and plantings transform a small strip of roadway within a bustling San Francisco neighborhood, much to the delight of the planners and designers who fought for the change for over five years.
LA Weighs New Design Guidelines
Some critics say the proposed voluntary measures don’t have teeth, while others worry they lay the groundwork for overdevelopment.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Yukon Government
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Norman, Oklahoma
City of Portland
City of Laramie
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