The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Public Toilets Make a Comeback
Will a new automated, self-cleaning public restroom system provide relief to Torontonians?
Tensions Between House & Administration Stymie Transportation Progress
Tensions have arisen between the Obama administration and Oberstar, who is anxious to get working on the transportation reauthorization bill. DOT Secretary LaHood is calling for an extension of the 2005 highway bill instead.
Chickens Come Home To Urban Roost?
Another city, South Florida's Delray Beach, wrestles with whether chickens can co-exist with urban residents.
Amtrak Line Meets Ridership Goals for First Year in 6 Months
The new Northeast Regional extension to Lynchburg, Virginia has met its goal of 51,000 riders project for its first year in the first six months.
How The Census Affects Cities
The Census is being collected and urban officials are waiting to see how this decade;s count will affect how federal funding is distributed. <em>Next American City</em> talks with the Brookings Institution's Andrew Reamer about what's at stake.
Small Farms Growing On Top of New York Schools
Green roofs are growing on the tops of schools in New York City, where small farms are being integrated into the curriculum.
State Views Redevelopment Funds As Piggybank
A judge ruled that the state of California is allowed to pluck $2 billion out of local redevelopment tax increment funds. Redevelopment agencies ponder near-shutdown of new projects.
'Virtual Subways' and Suggested Solutions to L.A.'s Transit Problem
<em>Los Angeles Times</em> columnist David Lazarus offers broad suggestions for fixing public transit in L.A.
New Urbanism at 30 and its Impact on America
<em>The Atlantic</em> talks with architect and planner Andres Duany about 30 years of the New Urbanism, and how the urban landscape of America has changed over that time.
Nearby Commercial Interests May Be Asked to Fund D.C. Streetcar System
Washington D.C.'s planned 37-mile streetcar system will be a boon to nearby businesses, according to a recent report. As a result, the mayor is pushing a plan that would ask commercial property owners to help fund the system.
BLOG POST
GreenTRIP Sustainable Transport Building Certification Program
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small">There are various ways to define building sustainability. A narrow perspective assumes that <em>sustainable development</em> simply means that buildings minimize energy consumption and climate change emissions, but a broader perspective recognizes that sustainability requires consideration of additional economic, social and other environmental impacts, such as lifecycle affordability, social equity, community integration, public health and safety, and land use impacts.
A Drastic New Life For Baltimore's Middle Branch Shoreline
Baltimore's Middle Branch waterfront has sat unused for years, since its recent decline as an industrial hub. But a developer has a new plan to drastically remake the 52-acre shoreline.
Funding Delays Add Slightly to Toronto's Light Rail Timeline
Despite uncertainties about funding and objections from the city's mayor, Toronto's light rail plans are moving ahead, according to transit officials.
Building Neighborhoods Through Grocery Stores
To survive, neighborhoods need to be commercially viable. A group called the Food Trust believes grocery stores are a good starting point for creating that economic climate.
Differing Densities in Three Canadian Cities
This report from <em>The Globe and Mail</em> looks at a recent study of three of Canada's big cities -- Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto -- and compares their densities and development patterns.
FEATURE
Livable Cities and Political Choices
People need to stop thinking about cities as bundles of technical problems that the planners must solve for them and to start thinking about the different ways that they would live in different types of cities, says Charles Siegel.
The Complexity of Rural America
Gary Toth and Hannah Twaddell untangle the complexity of planning for rural communities.
Dreaming of Networked Cars
Brad Templeton dreams about a world of mini robot cars and the infrastructure savings that would result.
China's Grand High Speed Rail Plans
China has plans not only to expand its own network of high speed trains, but to build the trains for the rest of the world. They are already giving Japan and Europe a run for their money. Not bad considering their first HSR line opened in 2008.
Delays Ahead for Orange County's Ambitious Park
Nearly five years and $200 million in, contruction has barely begun on the Great Park of Orange County, planned to be as ambitious as New York's Central Park.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
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.
