The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Amtrak may work with NJ Transit to build a second set of tunnels (previously known as ARC that was scuttled by NJ Gov. Christie) under the Hudson River, possibly to connect with New York's Penn Station, according to an Amtrak VP and NJ Transit.

November 9 - Asbury Park Press

A new study finds that surface topography, not solely an area's underlying geology, contributes significantly to earthquake intensity. Researchers hope that the new information can be easily factored into local planning and design processes.

November 8 - The New York Times

In a recent press release, L.A. Director of Planning Michael LoGrande announced that he is reorganizing their reduced staff to "focus on and master critical functions."

November 8 - Los Angeles Department of City Planning

Getting the City of Boston to pick up the tab for maintenance and repair of certain alleyways has proved frustrating for residents of the city's South End, due to high costs and restrictions associated with transferring ownership rights to the city.

November 8 - The Boston Globe

As WalletPop notes, "some city neighborhoods are actually safer than most neighborhoods in America regardless of whether they are urban or rural." The area around Cahuenga Blvd. in L.A. comes out on top, with a crime rate of .96 per thousand.

November 8 - WalletPop

A meeting last week at the Regional Planning Commission attracted dozens of speakers angry with L.A. County's plans to change the zoning around the marina to allow new development of apartments and retail spaces.

November 8 - The Los Angeles Times

FEATURE

H.V. Savitch attempts to break down the attributes that make a city great, and concludes that a city need not score high in all the categories in order to achieve greatness.

November 8 - H.V. Savitch

Last year, the idea that diesel fuel could be created using algae was all over the news. Unfortunately, the effort can only work on a very small scale that makes no sense, says Jonathan Marshall of PG&E.

November 8 - Next100

Brad Vogel of the National Trust for Historic Preservation marvels at the number of house movings that have happened recently, and asks if it is a viable approach for preservation -- or not.

November 8 - National Trust For Historic Preservation

Peter Mithin asks if government should lead be creating and enforcing green building standards, or leading by example instead?

November 8 - GreenSpace

Singapore, Masdar, Songdo City- each of these municipalities are creating "systems of systems", integrating their data from water, electrity, waste, etc. to make smarter decisions.

November 8 - The Economist

While Propositions 19 (marijuana) and 23 (global warming suspension) grabbed headlines, Prop 26, which would require a 2/3rds vote threshold for fees, slipped under the radar and passed. Opponents say it could make regulation nearly impossible.

November 8 - The New York Times - Energy & Environment

Bill Fulton looks at Wendell Cox's new study linking regulation to high home prices and concludes that it is based on self-fulfilling assumptions.

November 7 - California Planning & Development Report

PlaceMaker Scott Doyon says that for cities -- maybe more than any other organization -- branding is about who you really are, and what what you really do, not a meaningless slogan or logo.

November 7 - PlaceShakers

Location-based social networking is all the rage among marketers, investors and tech gurus. Just not among people, who are not flocking to use the geo-locating services.

November 7 - The New York Times

Inquirer architecture critic Inga Saffron gives a thumbs up to the design of Philadelphia's new South Street Bridge, which includes a bike lane that connects to bike paths on each side.

November 7 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

The Queen Liliuokalani Trust has spoken out against a 2,330 home workforce housing development on the island of Hawai'i. The Trust was the previous owner of the land, and says the project will be detrimental to existing locals.

November 7 - The Honolulu Star Advertiser

With more than 11,000 acres of brownfield sites in New York City sitting underused due to contamination, officials there want to get things cleaned up and reused. Urban designer Kaja Kühl offers this field guide to small-scale bioremediation to help.

November 7 - Urban Omnibus

With not much undeveloped land left in Mumbai for fresh developments, the city’s real estate growth will largely be propelled by the success of its many slum redevelopment schemes, according to a recent study.

November 6 - LiveMint.com

The 1910 law, responsible for preserving views of the capitol from most roof decks, is being challenged by a small group of architects and developers who believe a modest change would inject vitality, sustainability and revenue into the urban fabric.

November 6 - The Herald Tribune