The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

A recently released report reveals that intercity bus travel has reversed a decades-long trend of decreased use and shows that the industry is growing at double the rate than air travel, reports Jonna McKone of TheCityFix.

January 19 - TheCityFix

In Providence, Rhode Island, a team of young developers are breathing new life into an old factory complex. But it's not your typical condo conversion.

January 19 - Metropolis

A new report from the Political Economy Research Institute says that bike and pedestrian projects create 11 to 14 jobs per million dollars spent, while road construction only creates 7 per million.

January 19 - TheCityFix

The industrialization of Hong Kong created hundreds of abandoned villages on the outskirts of the city. Today, these rural villages struggle to rejuvenate their economies and preserve their traditions.

January 19 - The New York Times

While Gov. Walker's rejection of $810 million of federal stimulus funds for the Milwaukee-Madison rail upgrade has received much publicity, he has not ruled out using funds to upgrade the existing Milwaukee-Chicago Hiawatha Line pushed by businesses.

January 19 - Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Three California schools are seeking to quantify the effects of efficiency-conscious driving in a study to establish a baseline for drivers' behavior.

January 19 - TheCityFix

Officials in Ogden, Utah are considering a plan to launch an unmanned blimp to monitor the city from crime at night.

January 19 - Reuters

This piece from <em>Next American City</em> looks at plans to dramatically rework streetscapes in Boston, and cheers the effort.

January 19 - Next American City

As states return money aimed at high speed rail projects, officials from North Carolina are hoping to scramble up some of this newly available funding to augment existing projects.

January 19 - News and Observer

An art competition in Salt Lake City has resulted in a new installation to be built in one of the city's vacant lots.

January 19 - The Salt Lake Tribune

Writing for <em>Metropolis</em>, Karrie Jacobs bemoans America's slow pace of growth in transportation infrastructure, and blasts efforts as being too "incremental".

January 18 - Metropolis

With political pressure from both sides of the aisle palpable, Gov. Christie discusses how he analyzed and justified the ARC tunnel's cancellation.

January 18 - The Wall Street Journal

No, this is not a video of Petula Clark, but do take her message to heart. Rats are not just on the subway tracks - occasionally they hop a ride too, so riders beware - stay awake! Caught on tape...

January 18 - NY1/You-Tube

The city of Detroit is considering a plan to close nearly half of its public schools and greatly increase its class sizes.

January 18 - The Detroit News

Rome has instituted a new tax on tourists aimed at building a fund to restore its crumbling infrastructure. But some worry it will drive tourists away.

January 18 - Der Spiegel

The City of New Orleans is about to undertake a massive reconstruction effort that will reshape and rebuild its entire school system.

January 18 - Metropolis

The city of Pittsburgh is making progress on its first comprehensive plan. <em>Next American City</em> talks with Director of City Planning Noor Ismail about its process and potential impact.

January 18 - Next American City

Sprawl is seen as an unfortunate reality in Toronto, and one that some fear it's too late to unwrite.

January 18 - The Toronto Star

British Prime Minister David Cameron wants to build a Silicon Valley-like "tech city" at the site of the 2012 Summer Olympics. But some question whether his plan can work.

January 18 - Wired UK

As the world's population urbanizes, rural areas are being abandoned. But they don't have to sit empty and unused, according to this piece from <em>GOOD</em>.

January 18 - Good