The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
The City's Physical Influence on Skateboarding and Park Design
This piece from <em>Urban Omnibus</em> looks at how underutilized parts of the built environment are embraced by the skateboard community, and how those urban aspects are often co-opted into skatepark design.
America's Best New Urban Parks
<em>The Infrastructurist</em> lists the top new urban parks that have been built in the U.S. in recent years.
Frank Lloyd Wright, Enemy of the City
Katherine Don looks back at Broadacre City, Wright's attempt to replace the modern industrial city once and for all.
22 U.S. Cities Planning New Streetcars
Changes in USDOT and FTA policies help fund streetcar lines, making them more attractive to cities across the US.
In U.S., More Cars Thrown Away Than Sold
13.6 million car registrations were filed in the last 15 months, and 14.8 million were disposed of in that same period.
Kotkin and Clubs
In a widely-read review of Joel Kotkin's book, a statistic claiming that suburban dwellers join significantly more social clubs than urban residents is called into question by Robert Steuteville.
Bay Area Commuter Railroad On Life Support
Caltrain, the Peninsula railroad that dates back to 1863 serving points between San Francisco and San Jose, could potentially cease operations or at the least, cut all non-commute service.
Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares
That's the title of a new report from CNU and the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) that attempts to right the wrongs of the car-centric street design of the past 75 years.
The Personality Types Filling Out the Census
As residents across the county fill out and return the Census, Richard Florida and colleagues try to nail down what type of people are most likely to participate.
The Growing Impact of Brookings' Bruce Katz
This cover piece from <em>Next American City</em> profiles Bruce Katz, founding director of the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution, who the magazine calls the "oracle of urban policy".
Detroit Cosmopolitanism: An Open Letter to a Ballplayer's Skeptical Wife
When baseball player Johnny Damon signed a contract to play for the Detroit Tigers, his wife voiced concerns about the city not being cosmopolitan enough. This open letter to Mrs. Damon argues that the city has more going for it than many assume.
Planning for Sustainability, Japanese-Style
Artist and student of architecture Azby Brown has spent 25 years in Japan, and today sees a number of design principles that drive the Japanese way of building and living that can be used by designers.
The Demise of the Gay Neighborhood
In cities across the country, gays formed communities in neglected neighborhoods to create safe havens and strengthen political identity. Today, the identity of these 'gayborhoods' is fading as other demographics move in.
China Tells CA: We'll Build Your Trains
A number of foreign countries and firms are jockeying to build high-speed rail in California, but the Chinese government is proposing that they cover some of the financing as well.
Cramming Three Decades of Transit Improvements into One
Despite a less-than-stellar reputation of public transit, Los Angeles has plans to expand its system of light rail and BRT over the next 30 years. But now momentum is growing to fast-track that work into the next 10 years.
What Can Taxi Data Tell Us About NYC Streets?
New York City has GPS data from tens of thousands of taxis and is beginning to mine that information to improve its streets. We talked to some transportation experts for their ideas on how to use it.
DOT Rethinks Selection Process for Funding
When Charlotte's new light rail line opened, it vastly exceeded anticipated ridership figures. As the city plans an extension of the system, the federal government is revising how it distributes funding to avoid making the same mistake again.
Portland Demoted to America's Second Most Bike-Friendly City
The city of Portland is in a state of shock after being de-throned as America's most bike-friendly city.
Haiti Needs Old Urbanism, Not New
Plans for rebuilding Haiti have a strikingly New Urbanist tinge. But some say Haiti's economic situation isn't ready for a New Urbanist approach.
Climate Measure Would Raise Gas Tax But Not Fund Transportation
A new senate climate measure is proposing to raise the gas tax, a move many in the transportation field have been suggesting for years. But the measure is meeting criticism for not directing the increased revenue towards transportation projects.
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
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Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
