The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

The Dynamism, and Dysfunction, of Los Angeles

That's where authors Nathan Cherry and Kurt Nagle found their inspiration for their new book about urban form. Grid/Street/Place.

January 31 - The Huffington Post

The Political Conflict of the Decade

<em>Worldchanging</em>'s Alex Steffen says the question of cities versus suburbs is the political conflict that will define the next decade.

January 31 - Grist

Oklahoma City: The Next Big Thing?

In the world of natural gas, Oklahoma City is ground zero. Sandridge, a large independent producer of natural gas, is parlaying its new importance into a $100 million investment in the downtown, complete with parkland.

January 31 - Fast Company

Will The Economy Leave Port-au-Prince With Its People?

More than a million Haitians have fled the capital city of Port-au-Prince, and government officials are advising them to stay out of the city. But many question if these provincial cities will be able to provide jobs and economic opportunities.

January 30 - The Christian Science Monitor

Las Vegas Water Plan Hits Wall

Plans by Las Vegas officials to siphon water from northern Nevada down to the growing city may have hit a wall, as a recent ruling from the state Supreme Court found fault with the region's water rights application process.

January 30 - Los Angeles Times


Improving Safety Through Architecture and Public Works in Colombia

This piece from <em>Utne Reader</em> looks at the role of architecture in the public works projects of Medellin, Colombia, a city that has struggled with severe crime.

January 30 - Utne Reader

The Citywide Impact of New Orleans' Trip to the Super Bowl

New Orleans has had a rough couple of years. But now that the city's professional football team is headed to the Super Bowl, the city is relishing the opportunity to celebrate.

January 30 - The New York Times


California Considers Full-Cost Parking Bill

Having stalled in the state Senate last June, a bill that aims to "reduc(e) governmental or government-required subsidies for parking" passed out of the senate on Jan. 28. Parking strategies would be eligible for cap & trade credits under the bill.

January 30 - Los Angeles Times

Friday Funny: Gentrification, Coming to a Neighborhood Near You

A series of mock-advertisements herald the gentrification of Brooklyn.

January 29 - Flavorpill

Amoeba Design Efficient Transit System

The growth patterns of amoebae as they spread out to connect to food sources bears a striking resemblance to the map of a rail system. Some say the amoeba could inform urban planners and designers.

January 29 - MSNBC

Rails to Trails, or Rails to Rails?

An unused right-of-way between Lansdale, PA and Bethlehem is being contested between those that want to return it to passenger rail service and those that want to turn it into a linear park.

January 29 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Will HSR Jobs Go Overseas?

Joan Lowy suggests that the Obama administration's claim that the high-speed rail initiative will create jobs overlooks the fact that the expertise is in Europe and Asia and foreign firms will likely be needed to develop HSR quickly.

January 29 - CB Online

Fish: the Future of Urban Farming

Cityscape Farms has developed a new technique for farming fish along with vegetables in combined urban food systems that allows them to farm in developed areas.

January 29 - Good

Bringing Context to Architectural Photography

This piece from <em>The New York Times</em> profiles architectural photographer Iwan Baan, whose style differs from the status quo to emphasize the urban and social context of the buildings he's photographing.

January 29 - The New York Times

An Emerging Bike Friendly City

With a rapidly progressing bike infrastructure program, the city of Long Beach, California, is edging its way to becoming one of the country's most bike-friendly cities.

January 29 - Los Angeles Times

Reducing Congestion and Saving Money

Traffic is expensive. This infographic from <em>GOOD</em> looks at how much congestion costs cities and what they are trying to do to cut down the traffic.

January 29 - Good

Getting the Transportation Glue Back in Philly's Waterfront

Transportation has been called the glue that hold cities together. This oped argues that Philadelphia's waterfront is sorely missing that glue.

January 29 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Gov 2.0 On the Rise

Twitter, iPhones, and new sites like SeeClickFix make it increasingly easy for citizens and governments to communicate. Along with newly available data sets, these "Gov 2.0" apps may signal a new era of active citizens and responsive governments.

January 29 - CNN

The Holodeck is Real

Duke's Pratt School of Engineering has created a theater with projections on all four walls plus the ceiling and floor to create an immersive experience not unlike Star Trek's "holodeck" for architects to show clients their work before it is built.

January 28 - News Observer

Can't Get Architecture Work? Build It Yourself

John Portman is a rare breed: an architect/developer. In his 60 years in the business, he developed retail centers, hotel atriums, and Atlanta's Peachtree Center. The Architect's Newspaper talked to him about his career.

January 28 - The Architect's Newspaper

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Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.

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.