The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

This post from <em>The Nature Conservancy</em> examines the impact of urbanization on nature and finds that our rising food needs will be one of the most important implications.

February 3 - The Nature Conservancy

<em>National Journal</em> asks its panel of transportation experts whether the Obama Administration's recent announcement of high-speed rail funding projects is really a wise investment.

February 3 - National Journal

This article recalls the story of Patricia Moore, who dressed up as an 80-year-old woman to better understand how the elderly interact with products and the built environment.

February 3 - California College of the Arts

Gigaom looks at a handful of "augmented reality" apps, both current and projected, that create an interface between the internet and the world around us.

February 3 - Gigaom

That's according to the National Vacant Properties Campaign. But there is a glimmer of hope as cases of 'temporary urbanism' and 'pop-up stores' fill the void.

February 2 - Governing Magazine

The St. Louis Post Dispatch laments the $1.1 billion the St.Louis to Chicago corridor received for high speed rail, wishing it had gone to worthier projects such as subsidizing local public transit.

February 2 - St.Louis Post-Dispatch

Pedestrians, street vendors, scooters and squatters all compete for space on the gridlocked sidewalks of Mumbai, where nearly 60% of the population travels by foot. Solution? 50 elevated walkways, or "skywalks."

February 2 - TheCityFix.com

Architect and urban designer Hector Fernando Burga looks at Haiti through the lens of a Haitian enclave in Miami and wonders what role designers can play in the devastated country's revival.

February 2 - Places

Birth rates are dropping across Europe, and some cities are on the verge of collapse because of it. Exhibit A: Hoyerswerda, Germany.

February 2 - Guardian

Technology is going to be deeply integrated within New Songdo City, an instant city developing on a man-made island off the coast of Korea.

February 2 - Fast Company

With the Winter Olympics fast approaching, the editor of Vancouver Magazine takes a shot at capturing the big picture of the city that has become a model for planners everywhere.

February 2 - The Walrus

The Department of Transportation has decided that the proposed Las Vegas - Southern California maglev train was not far enough along to be eligible for funding, which is meant to go towards more immediate solutions.

February 2 - Las Vegas Review-Journal

<em>Chicago Tribune</em> architecture critic Blair Kamin argues that America's foray into high speed rail should also focus on the rail stations and user experience in addition to the speed.

February 2 - Chicago Tribune

The Obama Administration is including a $4 billion plan to create a national infrastructure bank as part of its 2011 federal budget proposal.

February 2 - The New York Times

BLOG POST

<p class="MsoNormal"> Some time ago I noted a number of terrific<a href="/node/34290" target="_blank"> image resources</a> for urban planners. This blog highlights some additional sources. </p>

February 1 - Ann Forsyth

Los Angeles explores the possibility of selling off parking garages to manage a budget crisis.

February 1 - Los Angeles Times

As part of a $133 million renovation of a federal building in Portland, the Government Services Administration plans to add 200-foot high "vegetated fins" that will carpet the building with plants and - hopefully - energy savings.

February 1 - New York Times

Two interesting video submissions this week, one an atmospheric tour of Vancouver, BC and one of San Francisco before the 1906 earthquake.

February 1 - YouTube

The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology is the first building to be completed in this ambitious, carbon-neutral city in Abu Dhabi. Thomas Lane of Building takes a tour.

February 1 - Building

Like anything 'free', it's difficult to make the transition to charging, especially when you are City Hall, but pay stations are on their way that will apply charges on the busier streets to 10pm or midnight while the parking garage will be 'free'.

February 1 - Ventura County Star