The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Emissions Impact of Biofuels Undercounted
A new report claims that the way the global warming impact of biofuels is measured leaves out the land use component of clearing land and growing crops.
Jane Jacobs, Economic Guru?
Jacobs' ideas about urban planning bumped her to the top of her Top Urban Thinkers list, but economists are turning to her other books to rethink local economies.
The Great Cities in History
A new book edited by John Julius Norwich with that title selects the 68 cities that have made the most impact on history. The Wall St. Journal has a review.
What Does Main Street Look Like?
What does Main Street America look like today? A journalist, a public radio producer, and two Harvard PhD students set out to visit actual Main Streets across the country to find out.
Cash for Blunders
"Cash for Clunkers" was upside-down and wrong-headed, rewarding bad behavior rather than punishing it, says Libertarian Richard A. Epstein.
New York City DOT Unveils New Targets for Bike Commuting
An updated version of the agency's strategic plan aims to double bicycle modeshare by 2012 compared to 2007 levels.
Suburbs Sprouting in Cairo Deserts
President Mubarak of Egypt is allowing developers to create American-style suburban developments in dry desert land outside Cairo.
BLOG POST
Halloween Costumes for Urban Planners - 2nd Edition
The second edition list of the best urban planning costume ideas.
Residential Construction Declines Sharply in New York City
2009 is expected to turn out as a bad year for residential constructoin in New York City. After five consecutive years with more than 30,000 units constructed, at total of 6,300 are expected this year.
Flashy Developer Worries Locals
Edward M. Czuker is known for building bold developments. Residents of Playa del Ray are concerned about what his latest project will look like in their neighborhood.
Vetoed State Bike Safety Law Passes in Austin
The Austin City Council has approved a bill that requires motorists to keep a three-foot distance from bicyclists on the road. The same bill was vetoed by Texas Governor Rick Perry four months ago.
BLOG POST
Rea Vaya ("We are Moving") In South Africa
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman">To celebrate an important victory a winning team sometimes parades around the arena with their coach on their shoulders as the fans cheer in adulation. Planners sometimes deserve similar treatment! For example, regardless of who wins the </span><a href="http://www.fifa.com/worldcup"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman">2010 FIFA World Cup</span></a><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman"> to be held in South Africa June and July 2010, the real victor will be residents of the four cities where matches will be held, who gain an efficient new public transportation system as a long-term legacy. Everybody wins!</span> </p>
FEATURE
Toward an Ethic of Place: Experiments in Regional Governance
Matthew McKinney argues that regional governance is essential to address transboundary issues like climate change, wildlife corridors, shared water resources, and energy development.
The Barcelona Model of Reviving Industrial Areas
American cities are struggling to figure out how to transition formerly industrial areas to become vibrant and successful parts of the city once again. Neal Peirce says they should look to Barcelona, which accomplished it ten years ago.
What To Do With Unused Phone Booths
This project offers a new idea about how to make use of dead phone booths.
The Prius Power Drain
PG&E CEO Peter Darbee says that it wouldn't take very many all-electric cars to create a serious drain on local power generators.
Denmark's Energy Efficient Poster Child
The Danish island of Samso is the poster child of clean energy. Its residents generate more energy than they consume. Now the Danish government wants to export that model back to the mainland.
Human Rights Violations in NY's Affordable Housing?
The United Nations has appointed a special envoy to evaluate whether lack of access to affordable housing in New York is so bad it violates basic human rights.
Las Vegas: A Model of America's Problems
The problems facing urban America can be exemplified by looking at the city of Las Vegas, according to this piece from the Brookings Institution's Mark Muro.
NFL Cities May Benefit From California Stadium Decision
A recent move that exempted a proposed Southern California football stadium's plans from environmental review may turn out to be precedent-setting for other cities looking to revamp their sports arenas.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
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.
