The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

New Jersey Caps Property Tax Increases

Lawmakers in New Jersey have approved a bill that will limit annual property tax increases to 2%.

July 14 - The New York Times

A Sinking Ship? Heading Chicago's Transit Agency

Like many transit agencies across the country, the economic recession has limited the capacity of Chicago's CTA to maintain itself. <em>Governing</em> talks with the man tasked with saving -- and recreating -- the troubled system.

July 14 - Governing

Air Conditioning and Community

A new book looks at the environmental, energy, and social consequences of keeping cool by using air conditioners. In this 4-minute public radio interview, author Stan Cox explains how to keep cool, just in time for the East Coast heat wave.

July 14 - American Public Media: Marketplace

Cities Are Influenced By Theme Parks, World's Fairs, etc.

A exhibit currently at the Centre Pompidou in Paris called "Dreamlands" looks at the lasting and deep influence of themed environments and amusement parks on how we think about cities.

July 14 - Aesthetica Magazine

An Architectural 'Love Letter' to NY

The AIA Guide to New York City was last updated 10 years ago, and the latest version shows an explosion of glassy residential towers. James Russell says the guide is "monumental."

July 14 - Bloomberg News


Chicago Drivers Inch Toward Congestion Pricing

After three years of false starts, there is renewed interest in a congestion pricing plan for the Chicago area.

July 14 - Chicago Tribune

City vs. Suburbs: A False Debate

Christopher Leinberger, author of The Option of Urbanism, takes on Joel Kotkin's latest dustup on the "war between the city and the suburbs." Leinberger argues that the data Kotkin's using is dated and doesn't reflect reality.

July 13 - Brookings blog


Students Say Monorail Would Fix Racial Divide

A teacher in Baton Rouge, LA asked her creative writing class how they would solve the racial division in their city. The class came up with a monorail. "If the bus runs through your neighborhood, you know you're in the hood," explains one student.

July 13 - NEWS21

Bronx Freeway Fight Takes National Stage

The local environmental justice movement to remove a short, recently renovated Bronx expressway has taken on national prominence. On July 13, NY DOT is expected to release three options that may decide its future, including one to remove it.

July 13 - The New York Times - N.Y. / Region

Editorial: Time to Increase the Gas Tax - Gradually

The Gulf spill, renewed attention to federal deficit, and summer driving prompts the Washington Post to advocate for a gradual increase in the all-time low federal gas tax, while acknowledging 'fierce' opposition by the electorate and politicians.

July 13 - The Washington Post - Editorial

Driving Business with High Speed Rail

A recent report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors shows that high speed rail can be a driver of business opportunities. <em>National Journal</em> asks its panel of transportation experts if they think those findings are correct.

July 13 - National Journal

The Importance of Kiosks and Carts

This piece from Re:Place looks at the urban impact of kiosks and food carts.

July 13 - re:place

Walking's Role in Home Buying Decisions

How walkable neighborhoods are is playing an increasingly important role in decisions about where to buy homes.

July 13 - The Wall Street Journal

Investing in Brazil's Urban Mobility Ahead of the World Cup and Olympics

As Brazil prepares to host the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics, its cities are trying to improve their public transit systems.

July 13 - The City Fix

Mixed Use Outperforms Big Box Development

Tax revenue-per-acre figures for big box developments are only slightly higher than residential developments, and not as high as mixed use project, according to this column from Mary Newsom.

July 13 - Citiwire

BRT Money Heads to Chicago and New York

Chicago and New York City have secured funds form the Federal Transportation Administration to build bus rapid transit systems.

July 13 - The Architect's Newspaper

BLOG POST

Are You For/Against Closing Street Segments?

<div>There&#39;s a lot of babbling on in this blog about how streets are public space, that they are for people, and that they should be designed equitably for everyone.

July 13 - Ian Sacs

Small Cities Fill CNN's 'Best Places to Live'

Apparently metropolises are out- CNN Money's annual list of the "Best Places to Live" is filled with small cities like Eden Prairie, Minnesota and Overland Park, Kansas.

July 12 - CNN Money

China's Development Will Be Major Factor in Climate Change

Asia's energy consumption increased 70% in the ten years leading to 2008. With China continuing to build and urbanize, the Economist argues that the country's sustainable strategies won't make a significant dent in the problem.

July 12 - The Economist

Joseph Stalin Out, Michael Jackson In?

Michael Jackson fans in Prague want to build a statue commemorating the musician in the same park that once housed the world's biggest bust of Joseph Stalin. Some locals aren't happy about the plan.

July 12 - Der Spiegel

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