The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

FEATURE

Can today's contemporary architects, schooled in modernism and invention, in fact incorporate the sort of green building materials and techniques that make a real difference? And does design really matter? Josh Stephens takes a look.

November 1 - Josh Stephens

Geoff Manaugh at BLDBLG talks about the role of the architecture student. Should they be allowed create experimental designs, even when the field of practice is so narrow it is unlikely they'll ever be able to design like that again?

November 1 - BLDBLOG

The economy is up 3.5% in the 3rd quarter, thanks in large part to government subsidies for car and home buying. Otherwise, the impact of the stimulus has been muted, says The Washington Times.

November 1 - The Washington Times

A Des Moines venture capitalist and his wife have donated a reported $40 million worth of large public sculptures for a sculpture park, part of a significant redevelopment effort by the city.

November 1 - The New York Times

The City of Wildomar, CA is considering cutting developer fees in half in order to spur the local economy.

November 1 - The Press-Enterprise

LA Mayor Villaraigosa an ambitious new plan to speed up new rail projects throughout the city, and to complete it all within 10 years instead of the previously proposed 30.

November 1 - The Los Angeles Times

BLOG POST

<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: arial" class="Apple-style-span">BOSTON -- If you&#39;ve ever studied the bar menu at <a href="http://www.tradervics.com/index.html" target="_blank">Trader Vic&#39;s</a> then you know about such wonders as Tropical Passion, Moku Nani, and the Potted Parrot. Each is made of a unique but secret blend of dark rum, light rum, spiced rum, tropical juices, and of course &quot;subtle flavorings.&quot;  But by the time you&#39;d realize that the only real difference is the glass they come in, you&#39;re too probably drunk to notice--or care. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: arial" class="Apple-style-span">Minus the palm fronds, the RailVolution conference is much the same.  </span></p>

October 31 - Josh Stephens

Business Week looks at the recovering housing market, and believes that even though it was driven by massive government support there are signs that it might actually continue.

October 31 - Business Week

Celebrate Halloween with this slideshow of America's creepiest roads, accompanied by the scary tales that make them part of urban (or rural) legends.

October 31 - Digital City

While Canada's federal government resists taking action on climate change, its provincial and Aboriginal leaders have set aside over 200 million acres of boreal forest as a carbon vault.

October 31 - Guardian (UK)

The Friend Convalescent Hospital was the first of Walter Gropius' modernist buildings to be destroyed at Chicago's Michael Reese hospital. Bulldozing began on Wednesday with more still to go.

October 31 - The Chicago Tribune

This animation from <em>The New York Times</em> examines the history of Midtown Manhattan -- from pristine island environment to bustling metropolis.

October 31 - The New York Times

In Huangping, China, schoolchildren are required to salute passing cars in an effort to reduce traffic accidents. This rule is just one of many bizarre local ordinances in China, where the power of local bureaucrats can sometimes get out of hand.

October 30 - The New York Times

In order to clean up groundwater pollution from dry cleaning chemicals, Orland, California is planning on injecting soybean oil into the problem area. The plan is touted as lower risk and lower cost than other methods.

October 30 - Oroville Mercury Register

How can a Porsche be better for the environment than a Prius? If you use transit to commute, and only take the hot rod out on the weekends. Slate writer Joe Eaton sold his Volvo for a combination of transit and fun.

October 30 - Slate

In this short radio broadcast, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer welcomes the support of influential land use planner Mike McKeever of Sacramento, who testifies in support of the bill that incorporates smart growth strategies first employed by his MPO.

October 30 - Capital Public Radio

Community Cycling Center is working to close the racial gap in Portland's cycling community.

October 30 - BikePortland.org

British Columbia has converted nearly two dozen formerly notorious hotels into housing for the homeless.

October 30 - The Tyee

Alex Steffen weighs the challenges of Transition Towns and, instead, advocates for bright green, optimistic democracy.

October 30 - WorldChanging

SMA Solar Technology AG, the German company responsible for about 40 percent of the world's solar market will be opening a plant in Denver.

October 30 - The Denver Post