The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

The city of lakes ironically gets a redesigned riverfront, as was unveiled by the city's Park and Recreation Board. Click for more and the video of the winning design.

March 9 - THE DIRT

New data from the Federal Highway Administration shows that vehicle miles traveled are up to their highest level since 2007. But when population growth is factored in, those levels drop significantly.

March 9 - Brookings Institution

As the parks system grows in Seattle, it is becoming more difficult to afford to maintain. One local official calls the system "unsustainable".

March 8 - The Seattle Times

California Controller John Chiang, an independent, elected officer, audited 18 of the state's 425 redevelopment agencies (representing 16% of all RDA dollars) and found huge differences in how blight is defined and a lack of accountability.

March 8 - Los Angeles Times

An contributor to the Huffington Post writes what he believes is the core of urbanism as a thought and its purpose.

March 8 - The Huffington Post

Why do cities in Australia and Canada consistently dominate livability ratings?

March 8 - GOOD Magazine

For over a decade, the City of New York has disposed of thousands of old subway cars by tossing them into the Atlantic Ocean. The "Artificial Reefs Program," as it is known, is considered by the city as an environmentally friendly method of disposal.

March 8 - Fast Company

Buffalo, NY transportation planners have begun a new feasibility study that could lead to the first extension of Metro Rail since its completion in 1985.

March 8 - Buffalo News

Of the world's ten tallest buildings currently under construction, one is located in the United States and five are in China.

March 8 - The Infrastructurist

The 2011 Healthy Market Index, which is compiled from projections made by Moody's Economy.com, is dominated by cities in the South.

March 8 - Builder Magazine

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg faces challenges in his attempt to redevelop the Willets Point area of the city. Some opponents of the plan are prepared to file a lawsuit against the city.

March 8 - The New York Times

A Senator from Oregon wants to revive the expired "Build America Bonds," but limit their use to investments in transportation.

March 8 - National Journal

In Washington, D.C., 28 miles of HOV lines make it very tempting to add a couple of passengers in your back seat. A booming, informal system has formed around just that, which locals call "slugging."

March 7 - Miller-McCune

Shipping containers are increasingly being used as a readymade, eco-friendly building material. WebUrbanist highlights a handful of such structures, vernacular or professionally designed.

March 7 - WebUrbanist

The Dirt interviewed Jamie Lerner, an architect, designer, and former Mayor/Governor from Brazil who is credited with introducing the world's first BRT system in Curitiba, Brazil.

March 7 - THE DIRT

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will take on the responsibilities of the Philadelphia agency for at least one year, after revelations of profligate spending led to the termination of the former Executive Director.

March 7 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

As Facebook prepares to relocate its corporate headquarters from Palo Alto to Menlo Park, the company organized a day-long charrette to get input from architects, planners, and community members about how to "turn this neighborhood inside out."

March 7 - San Jose Mercury News

Has historic preservation been responsible for making New York a luxury city? A former member of the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission argues no.

March 7 - The Huffington Post

Kaid Benfield says that the current trend towards "intelligent cities" is driven by large corporations, and "futuristic technology won’t fix many of our basic urban problems."

March 7 - NRDC Blog

Chuck Wolfe suggests five "Burnhamisms" for getting communities inspired and engaged with urban planning, including using social media and video to communicate your message.

March 7 - myurbanist