The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Housing for Haitians
Andres Duany has designed a prefab house specifically for the victims of the Haitian earthquake. 1,000 of them are on their way to the island now.
How New York Lost Its Sidewalks
Streetsfilms launches a new series they're calling "Fixing the Great Mistake.”
Fighting Against Cheap Parking
This post from <em>GOOD</em> looks at a bill from California state senator Alan Lowenthal that seeks to incentivize cities into reforming their parking rules.
Driving on the Rise in America
After more than two years of declines in American driving patterns, the amount of driving seems to be on the rise.
Poverty Heads to the Suburbs
The migration of America's low income population is spreading to the suburbs. But the suburbs aren't ready to handle the influx, according to this piece.
Bay Area Naval Base Approved for Neighborhood Conversion
A former Naval weapons station in Concord, California will be converted into a new, 12,000-home neighborhood.
BLOG POST
Vancouver Olympics a Living Laboratory for Urbanism!
<p> Among the countless stories being written on the successes and challenges of these 2010 Olympic Winter Games, not surprisingly the most interesting stories to me are those that speak to the challenges of great urbanism. As a host city, Vancouver has become a massive urban laboratory, with so many opportunities to learn, and we’re soaking it all up.<br /> <br /> As we are coming to the end of the final week, a few examples of big experiments and learnings come to mind.<br />
Nail in the Coffin for Hummer
After a last-ditch attempt to sell the Hummer brand to a Chinese company fell through, GM has declared it will shut it down.
A Win for WalMart
A pro-smart growth group in Lockport, NY attempted to stop a WalMart Supercenter from being built in their town, but the state supreme court rejected their appeal.
Smart Growth On The Hill
HUD, DOT and EPA have pulled together under the Obama administration's direction to create sustainable communities, and Sen. Chris Dodd is trying to make it official with a new office under HUD. But can smart growth policies survive the politics?
Parks on Top of L.A. Freeways
Los Angeles is crazy for "cap parks": basically, putting roofs over sections of freeway and building a park on top. The added benefit? Reconnecting neighborhoods riven asunder by the freeway in the first place.
Are Cities Being Sold off to the "Shadow Elite"?
Facing enormous budget shortfalls created in part by the recession, mayors and governors are increasingly turning to the sale of public assets - often to the very Wall Street businesses that helped fuel the crash, writes Donald Cohen.
Detroit's $20 Million Demolition Plan
The city of Detroit has enough money to tear down between one-quarter and one-third of the city's 10,000 abandoned houses.
Interview With 'Sustainability Czar' Shelley Poticha
OK, there is no such czar, but now that Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities is established, why not be creative? Poticha is former CEO of Reconnecting America, and before that, Congress for the New Urbanism.
The Biggest Misconceptions About the Census and Demographics
<em>The Brookings Institution</em> lists out the five biggest myths and misconceptions about the Census and the way demographics change in the U.S.
The New World of Roads in China
<em>The New York Times</em> reviews a new book about driving in China, and how the vastly expanding roadways are changing the Chinese way of life from the farms to the cities.
Moe Steps Down
Longtime president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation Richard Moe is retiring after radically changing the Trust's direction. Will the next president continue Moe's vision?
FEATURE
Sprawling Madrid
While Madrid's urban core is highly dense, the city has sprawled out over the last two decades much further than its growing population requires, says Madrid resident and planning consultant Marco Adelfio.
A Monopoly of Malls
Simon Properties Group is attempting to acquire rival General Growth Properties Inc., giving them a near-monopoly on America's malls. Will complete control of malldom give them the power to bring back this dying breed?
Sidewalks Emerge in Jordan's Capital
Seemingly simple, the Jordanian city of Amman has finally managed to build walkable sidewalks.
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.
