The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

A new report estimates that desertification will expand up to 34% during the next century, enveloping an area the size of the United States.

August 20 - Discovery

While much attention has been lavished on fuel sippers like the Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, and Honda Insight as the most popular models purchased with CARS.Gov credits, it turns out there is another list showing SUVs and trucks in the top ten.

August 19 - Sacramento Bee

Having fallen to near-bottom according to most indicators of urban vitality, Detroit is now facing the possibility of bankruptcy. But there are still reasons for optimism, writes John Ibbitson.

August 19 - The Globe and Mail

Beginning this September, residents of Dublin will have a new option for getting around town as the city's new public bicycle system debuts.

August 19 - The Irish Times

A new report issued by The Trust for Public Land details the park and recreation system acres and facilities of the nation's largest 77 cities. The report shows that Americans are flocking to their city parks more in a down economy.

August 19 - City Parks Blog

The construction of a new airport and industrial district on Florida's panhandle characterizes the impact of the St. Joe Company, the state's biggest landowner and one in the midst of drastically changing the area's landscape.

August 19 - Miller-McCune

A lack of decent parking is the biggest reason more people don't bike to work. Several American cities are now trying to deal with the issue by adding more parking for bicyclists.

August 19 - Slate Magazine

Despite tumbles in the housing market, low-cost housing is undergoing a boom in Mumbai, India, where the need for affordable housing is high.

August 19 - The Globe and Mail

Bicycles are on the rise in New York City, where more and more people are making bikes a major part of their transportation diet. City officials say it's the fastest-growing mode of transport.

August 19 - WCBS

With foreclosures racking up, the state of Florida is entering a dark period. Despite the dire prognosis, the stat'es historic ups and downs hint that Florida may be able to come back.

August 19 - The New York Times

<em>The New Yorker</em> offers a long profile of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and highlights his efforts to "undo" the work of Robert Moses.

August 19 - The New Yorker

A recent study finds a correlation between a neighborhood's walkability and its home values.

August 18 - Inman News

Groundbreaking for the nation's most technologically highway, a toll road, occurred on August 12 in North Carolina. Attended by Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez, the 19 mile road will have no toll booths. It is expected to open 2011.

August 18 - The Fast Lane

The City of Pittsburgh, PA yesterday released an iPhone app that allows you to take pictures of potholes and send a complaint directly to the city.

August 18 - KDKA2

The Obama Administration has announced a plan to invest $4.25 billion of stimulus money to build low-income rental housing.

August 18 - The Boston Globe

Zoning changes around the train station in New Carrollton, Maryland seek to redefine the city into a more vibrant, walkable area. The changes have received preliminary approval.

August 18 - The Washington Post

After an unstoppable run of megaprojects being built with an eye on the Olympics, architects are now designing smaller, human-scale projects in between the cracks.

August 18 - Asia Times

This photo slideshow from the <em>Los Angeles Times</em> looks at the 10 most expensive cities in the world.

August 18 - Los Angeles Times

In a location near St. Paul's Cathedral, a new self-proclaimed "ultra-modernist" office and shopping complex is going up, despite the efforts of the Prince of Wales behind the scenes to squelch the project.

August 18 - The Guardian U.K.

San Francisco has begun installing 1,200 new bus shelters that incorporate a solar array on the roof to power an LED display showing bus arrival times.

August 18 - The Architect's Newspaper