The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
'Getting Religion' in Water Conservation
Since dealing with drought in the 80s and 90s, San Luis Obispo offers some inspiration for water conservation in California as the state struggles to get individuals to cut down on their use.
The Ghost of Architecture Past
Architecture critic John King laments the could-have-been: a beautiful Toyo Ito museum designed for UC Berkeley and killed for financial reasons. And yet the un-built project represents a new connection between town and gown, says King.
Exercising Eminent Domain for Private Developers
A New York Court of Appeals ruled in favor of a private developer, who plans to build a basketball arena in Brooklyn, validating the state's use of eminent domain on his behalf. A local group says the fight is just beginning.
Rural America Still Leads Nation in Poverty
Despite gains in the 1990s, the last decade has seen jumps in poverty in rural areas, where rates continue to exceed the national average.
Can Free Fares Save Public Transit?
With 100 percent subsidies, transit agencies could drop the pretense of being businesses and serve many more people -- or so proponents say. Agencies aren't so sure.
Filling In The Holes From The Big Dig
Boston's Big Dig was supposed to result in a series of glorious, connected public spaces. Two years after the project's completion, the state is finally making the connections a reality.
World Bank's Urban Strategy Misses Mark
The World Bank recently released its 10-year strategy for addressing urban issues, focusing specifically on slum areas. <em>Next American City</em>'s Josh Leon takes a look at the plan and finds much to be desired.
Dockside Green: 'Lightyears Ahead' in Sustainability
So says Mayor Fortin of Victoria, British Columbia about Dockside Green, a new waterfront development in his city. A new documentary talks to the Mayor, architect Franc D'Ambrosio, and Smart Growth BC co-founder Deborah Curran about the project.
Krier Pulls No Punches
On a recent walking tour of Pasadena, California, noted architect Léon Krier didn't mince words over his disapproval of the cityscape and modernism in general.
Aging Sewers and Growing Cities Mean Troubled Waters
As cities grow, aging sewer systems are having trouble keeping up with increasing amounts of waste. Often, the result is sewer system overflows that end up directly in waterways.
San Antonio Tries Bus Wi-Fi
San Antonio is wrapping up a month-long experiment that has offered free Wi-Fi internet access on some of its buses.
Could a Saharan Forest End Global Warming?
NASA scientists are floating the idea that turning deserts on the equator into lush forests could single-handedly end global warming.
Front Yards Are For Lawns, Not Cars, City Says
Queens and Brooklyn homeowners may soon be prohibited from converting front yards into parking pads if a set of regulations is approved. The loss of street parking from new curb cuts was cited as a reason, along with aesthetics.
Boomburb Growth Must Go Up, Not Out, To Retain Viability
As reported here, many boomburbs have ceased growing, if only temporarily. Streetsblog notes that experts are suggesting that in order to maintain their economic viability, these fast growing communities will have to, gasp, become more urban in form
Denser Neighborhoods Could Save Bay Area $31 Billion
Walkable, transit-accessible neighborhoods do more than just lower greenhouse gas emissions of their residents - they save them money too, states a new report, "Windfall for All", from the Bay Area's TransForm, a coalition of over 100 non-profits.
Harassment and Assault Common on Subway
A group called New Yorkers for Safe Transit has called attention to the continual problem of female subway riders being ogled, groped, flashed, harassed and attacked.
The Robots Behind Interactive Architecture
Miles Kemp presents a slideshow on <em>SEED</em> exploring the emerging field of interactive architecture -- and the tiny robots that are enabling spaces and structures to adapt in real-time.
Michigan Urged to Keep Film Incentive Program
Filmmakers are calling on state officials in Michigan to extend the state's grant program that provides up to 42% of production costs simply for filming in Michigan.
BLOG POST
"Hoboken Daylighting" In Lieu Of Bump-Outs
<p> So, I'm out at a site visit with the city engineer last week and we're talking about ways to implement curb extensions to reduce pedestrian exposure to vehicular traffic. We're discussing inexpensive ways to accomplish this, and then on queue, as is the right and obligation of all civil engineers, the ugly villain subject of all things bumped-out rears its head: drainage. </p>
Change the Built Environment, Make the World Better
This essay from <em>Places</em> offers five simple ways to make the world a better place -- and they're all related to the built environment.
City of Clovis
City of Moorpark
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.
