The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Town Seek to Share Services as Budgets Dwindle
As city and state budgets tighten, town in New Jersey are looking to join forces and share services.
Charlotte Light Rail May See Six Year Delay
In an effort to give themselves more time to pay for it, transit officials in Charlotte may delay an 11-mile light rail extension for six years.
The Two Paths to Sustainability
Achieving sustainability can take one of two paths, according to Richard Carson: centralized or decentralized policy. Choosing one will be crucial.
Le Corbusier for Kids
A new picture book introduces the architecture and urban ideas of Le Corbusier to children.
Senate Blocks Funds to ACORN
Yesterday, the Senate voted to block ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) from receiving grants from HUD. ABC News looks at the latest complaints against the group, and ACORN's chief organizer speaks in defense.
Manhattan is the Greenest City
A review of <em>GREEN METROPOLIS: Why Living Smaller, Living Closer, and Driving Less Are the Keys to Sustainability</em> by David Owen, expanding on his groundbreaking essay in the New Yorker in 2004 on why New York is the greenest city around.
California Environmental Groups Hope to Save State Parks with DMV Fees
Major environmental groups hope this year's park closures, caused by the California budget crisis, will inspire support for parks at the ballot box next year.
Greenest Developments in Asia
Warren Karlenzig looks for the best examples of sustainable developments in Asia to serve as examples for the growing region.
BLOG POST
"A Paradise Built in Hell" Offers Lessons in Disaster Planning
<p> In her new book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Paradise-Built-Hell-Extraordinary-Communities/dp/0670021075/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253033030&sr=8-1"><em>A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster</em></a>, journalist and essayist Rebecca Solnit describes a phenomenon that is rarely mentioned in the context of disaster preparedness: the spirit of caring -- even joy -- that can emerge in the face of calamity.
Toronto Planner Appointed to UK Commission on Architecture
Christopher Hume talks to Joe Berridge, a Toronto planner who has been appointed to Britain's Commission on Architecture and the Built Environment, about the power of urban design.
Millions of Reluctant Landlords
About 2.5 million homes have been converted into rental units since 2007 as homeowners try to wait out the loss in value of their properties, according to a new study.
Watching Where the Water Goes
Monitoring how much water is diverted from rivers and pumped from wells is notoriously difficult. But now, researchers have developed a new way to track usage.
Recession Aids Preservation in Moscow
The economic downturn has brought much development in Moscow to a halt. But for some preservationists, that's a good thing.
Guaranteeing You Won't Get Stranded By Transit
An often cited reason for not using alternative transportation is the unpredictable: what if I need a car for something unexpected? A non-profit is now offering guaranteed rides to those who ride transit, bike, or walk, up to $100 per year.
Deadly Water Going By Unregulated
This investigation from <em>The New York Times</em> examines water pollution records from across the country and finds more than half a million violations that are causing deadly pollution to local water resources.
Rethinking Residential
Can you create a community with design? This is one of the questions raised at a panel hosted by Future Shack, a project sponsored by the Seattle AIA and The Seattle Times to reconsider residential architecture.
Don't Forget Roads, Says Kotkin
Joel Kotkin explains why the Obama Administration's focus on transit is wrong-headed and doesn't do anything for the majority of Americans.
Are Bike Lanes Less Safe?
A new study from the University of Leeds claims that drivers are more careful and leave more room for bikers when there is no bike lane.
BLOG POST
Stress and the city, part 2
<p class="EC_MsoNormal"> Not long ago, I posted on what makes some cities more stressful than others.<span> </span>(See <a href="/40441" target="_blank">http://www.planetizen.com/node/40441</a> ).<span> </span>In that post, I remarked that the ideal objective indicia of stress (resident surveys on crime, illness, etc.) often do not exist for most cities. </p>
Gaming Officials Monkeying With Land Use
In Philadelphia, the Gaming Control Board is made up of 10 men, 9 of which don't live in the city. A recent decision by the board will destroy two planned developments that would have improve Philly's character, says arch. critic Inga Saffron.
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.
