The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
A Glut Of Oil Refinery Capacity
Americans are driving less. Moreover, alternative fuels, be they electricity or biofuels, will become more common while efficiency of conventional vehicles increases. This article looks at the effect of the VMT reduction, et.al. on oil refineries.
Treasure Island A Future Atlantis?
The City of San Francisco recently inked a deal to purchase the man-made Treasure Island sitting in its bay. But some wonder if an island threatened by rising sea levels was really such a smart buy.
Four Years Later, 664 Miles of Rail in China
A new high speed rail line has just opened in China, making a 664-mile connection between the cities of Guangzhou and Wuhan. The new line was constructed in four years.
Digital Billboards Leaking Light Into Homes
The glow of digital billboards around Los Angeles is irritating residents, and after a recent court ruling putting a moratorium on new ones, locals are pressuring the city council to remove existing billboards as well.
FEATURE
Creating Car-Reduced and Car-Free Pedestrian Habitats
It will take a long time for the US to embrace pedestrians, bicycling, and electric carts as substitutes for cars in our communities. And yet an inevitable change is coming that will significantly increase environmental quality, and restore real community and economic viability. Changing legislation, master planning, and the development of car-reduced and car-free communities will move us forward, writes Greg Ramsey.
As Timber Prices Fall, Development Looms
Timber land across the Pacific Northwest is changing ownership from timber companies to land trusts. And with timber prices flatlining, development looks more and more enticing.
Last Census Estimate For Decade Shows Major Migration Slowdown
The Census Bureau released its last estimates before the official 2010 count begins. They have a bearing on the Congressional reapportionment - good news for Texas, while 'less bad than expected' for the Northeast and Midwest, thanks to a recession.
Disconnected from Society? Gated Communities: Their Lifestyle versus Urban Governance
Peer Smets (VU University Amsterdam) investigates the socio-cultural impacts of specific patterns of urban segregation (gated communities) on local urban politics and urban governance.
Freeway Fighter Dies
Peter Craig, a lawyer that was pivotal in fighting a proposal to bisect Washington, D.C. with interstate highways, died last month. The Washington Post looks at his legacy.
New Research: Effect of Suburban TODs on Surrounding Property Values
Mention 'density' in suburban areas and the knee-jerk reaction is, "there go the property values". But is that really the case? In this study from San Jose State University, 4 suburban TODs are evaluated for their effects on nearby property values.
Improving on LEED
Bay Area non-profit TransForm has launched a new program called GreenTRIP that aims to supplement LEED requirements with a VMT calculation on each project.
How To Be Quiet in New York City
The churches of New York 'remain a special category of real estate', says Holland Cotter.
Census Shows Formerly Growing States Now Slowing
The economy has slowed growth to a trickle in states like Florida and Nevada, which had seen continuous growth for years.
A Floating Airport?
A private group is proposing a wild scheme to build a much-needed new airport for San Diego as a floating offshore platform.
Doubt in Architecture
Architect Steven Holl's new book is a retrospective of his 30-year career, and an overview of his argument that architecture needs an element of doubt.
'Safe Harbor' Along Sacramento River
A new program along a 222-mile stretch of the Sacramento River aims to encourage landowners to create riparian habitats without fear of being sued later if they need to remove it for crops.
Look into the Crystal Ball
Next American City asked prominent urban thinkers for their opinions on what 2010 will hold for the world. Here are their responses.
Architects That Have Abandoned Architecture
Archinect is profiling architects who have left the field, and why. Matt Trimble and Garett Hwang have moved into industrial design and 'design computing'.
2009 in Trains, Planes, Boats, Bikes, and More
Treehugger has a look at the best and worst transportation technology of 2009, from solar planes to bike highways.
Gated Communities Not Safer, Say Police
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg police chief stated in a public meeting that their evidence shows that the gated communities in the area are not statistically any freer of crime than non-gated ones.
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.
