The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Brian Heaton reports on a new app being tested by the City of Boston that can automatically detect and map potholes, using your smartphone, as you drive on the city’s street.

March 1 - Government Technology

The House is working to amend its transportation bill, but what takes its place is far from certain. Burgess Everett reports on speculation that the GOP is aiming to shorten the length to two years, and make a host of other changes.

March 1 - Politico

John Cary doesn't mourn the "death of architecture" prophesied by many, but rather sees it as an opportunity to refocus the profession for the benefit of society.

February 29 - Good

Tech Crunch's Jay Donovan reports on a new app developed by Metaio, a leader in Augmented Reality technology, that allows users to map their own 3D space with a smartphone or tablet. The possibilities for planners and designers seem endless.

February 29 - Tech Crunch

In response to an eye-opening Atlantic Cities article about the lack of enforcement of traffic laws in NYC, especially as it contributes to pedestrian and cyclist injuries and deaths, four esteemed debaters offer opinions on how to improve safety.

February 29 - The New York Times - Room For Debate

IBM is partnering with the Miami Dolphins to bring its "Smarter Cities" technology to South Florida's Sun Life Stadium, reports Sam Laird.

February 29 - Mashable

In the real estate market best known for creative acronyms (DUMBO anyone?), perhaps the only thing missing from this neighborhood is a catchy name, writes Alison Gregor. Trump Town anyone?

February 29 - The New York Times

<em>ScienceDaily</em> reports on a new study by researchers from Princeton University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology which shows that what used to be considered a 'Storm of the Century' may soon become a 'Storm of the Decade.'

February 29 - ScienceDaily

Sam Lubell looks at the growth of Southern California as an architectural manufacturing center, reflecting larger trends in manufacturing that require higher-skilled labor to produce more sophisticated products.

February 29 - The Architect's Newspaper

Amidst shrinking municipal budgets and a Tea Party led backlash against government spending, Nate Berg reports on one New Jersey town's effort to completely eliminate its Department of Public Works. Is this the beginning of a trend or an aberration?

February 29 - The Atlantic Cities

Is the dream home for the New Era compact, connected and mortgage free?

February 29 - PlaceShakers

Writing for <em>Alternet</em>, Sara Robinson reports on the Sightline Institute's efforts to compile a list of what she calls "zombie laws" that prevent people from living sustainably.

February 29 - AlterNet

Rebecca Sanborn Stone profiles several innovative communities that are utilizing citizen-guided art projects to communicate values and ideas, break down barriers, and guide planning efforts.

February 28 - EngagingCities

In an effort to stabilize neighborhoods and reduce the glut of foreclosures in the marketplace, Fannie Mae is beginning to sell foreclosed properties in bulk to investors to test the market for rental homes, write Alan Zibel and Nick Timiraos.

February 28 - The Wall Street Journal - Developments Blog

BLOG POST

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15px" class="Apple-style-span">Today marks the two year anniversary of the closing ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, and 150 days until the start of the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games. Soon</span><span style="font-size: 15px" class="Apple-style-span"><span> </span></span><span style="font-size: 15px" class="Apple-style-span">millions around the World will turn their attention to London, and in fact to venues across the UK, for the largest sporting and cultural event on Earth. </span></p>

February 28 - Brent Toderian

Richard Florida reports on a new map showing the results of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, which analyzes a number of "happiness" factors on a statewide level.

February 28 - The Atlantic Cities

John Metcalfe profiles the work of Spanish art collective <em>luzinterruptus</em>, who have used public art pieces to highlight the failings of Spanish authorities, such as Madrid's dysfunctional drinking fountains.

February 28 - The Atlantic Cities

Sean Patrick Farrell examines the lengths that Midwesterners are willing to go to get their bike riding fix during snowy winter months, including a popular new indoor mountain bike park in Milwaukee.

February 28 - The New York Times

In one of the countries leading the world in green energy adoption, a program to support solar energy has become a victim of its own success, reports Bjørn Lomborg.

February 28 - Slate

In the controversy over a new development planned for downtown Athens, the chain retailer seems to be a Trojan horse for a larger debate about economic development and who gets to define what is best for a community.

February 28 - Salon.com