The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
"Ghost Towns" Emerge from Spain's Economic Crisis
With tens of thousands of unoccupied housing units on the market, the full impact of "problematic" real estate investments on the country's economy remains to be seen.
Opposing Seattle's Big Dig Project
Grist's Dave Roberts chats with Cary Moon, one of the key opponents to Seattle's version of the Big Dig, a tunnel to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Moon, urbanists, and environmentalists are supporting a multi-modal, surface boulevard alternative.
Is "Urban Planner" One of the Best Careers of 2011?
Once again, US News and World Report singles out the world of planning as one of the best careers for the coming year. But the online comments tell another story.
Neighborhood Integration Improves, But Segregation Continues
While integration of African-Americans is improving, while Hispanics are still are increasingly living in their own neighborhoods according to new Census data.
New Appointees to Transportation Committee Not Urban
Sam Staley says that new Republican appointees to the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure are primarily from rural districts, which doesn't bode well for urban transit funding.
Protecting Views of Natural Landscapes
With new skyscrapers planned for Vancouver, some citizens are getting worried about preserving the mountain views. Not to worry, says planning director Brent Toderian.
Could Terrorists Take Down the Power Grid?
Reports to Congress have suggested a terrorist attack on a minor substation could knock out the whole grid. An infrastructure expert says, "That's a bunch of hooey."
FEATURE
The Motorist's Identity Crisis
Bicyclists and transit riders are losers - right? Or are they elitist, sneering yuppies? Brian Ladd says that people's attitudes and transportation choices are shaped by deep-seated feelings about respectability, and it planners should pay attention.
The Music of Planning
A website called "Isle of Tune" lets you build streets SimCity-style, with a twist- the houses and streetlights become musical elements in the sequence that you make.
Politics vs Progress in Australia
The new Government for the State of Victoria in Australia is attempting to reverse basic initiatives pursuing the integration of land use and transport, brought on by NIMBY influences.
You've Heard of Pocket Parks, but Pocket Airports?
A NASA-related agency envisions a future when people will commute from small neighborhood "pocket airports" in their "Suburban Air Vehicles" (SAVs).
Physicist Tackles Urban Theory
Physicist Geoffrey West of the Santa Fe Institute applied his talents to unraveling urban issues like population growth in a similar vein that he did earlier with biology. He found answers that explain how all cities work if enough data is supplied.
The Spatial Divide of Income Levels
Writing for <em>Next American City</em>, Yonah Freemark reviews recently released Census data to find increasing income levels in inner cities, and a growing spatial divide between poorer populations.
Streetcar the Savior?
Streetcars are increasingly seen as boons to local economies. And with a $130 million federal fund aimed at streetcar projects, some are expecting more systems to develop, according to this article. Others, though, still question the investment.
Downtown L.A. Stadium Plans Fall Flat
Proposed designs for a possible football stadium in downtown L.A. leave a lot to be desired -- both architecturally and urbanistically, according to this review.
The Political History of Asia's Mega-Cities
By looking at Seoul, Beijing and Shanghai, this article from <em>City Journal</em> explores how politics and different governmental ideologies have shaped the growth of these mega-cities.
Rural America Gets Even Sparser
Populations have declined in the majority of rural areas in the U.S., according to recent figures from the U.S. Census Bureau.
A Map of Pedestrian Deaths
The Seattle Department of Transportation has released a map of all pedestrian deaths in the city, offering clues about where additional attention is needed.
Census Proves That Downtowns Are Coming Back
Earlier this week, the new American Community Survey data was released. Daniel Nairn writes that the new data show "a reversal of the 20th century story of urban decline."
Smart Growth's Future in Northern Virginia
In an interview with Arlington County Board Vice-Chairman Christopher Zimmerman, Jonna McKone asks the local official about current and future transit-oriented development (TOD) and managed growth in the Washington, D.C. region.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
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.
