The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Ten Train Stations, Lost Forever

The loss of NY's Penn Station spurred an entire movement in historic preservation. But it was not an isolated incident- The Infrastructurist looks at 10 beautiful train stations that fell to the wrecking ball.

June 22 - The Infrastructurist

BLOG POST

Judaism and Urbanism

<p> After visiting Denver for the Congress for New Urbanism (CNU) conference, I began to meditate on the relationship between Judaism and urbanism, and on how few cities accommodate both. In particular, I was impressed by how well-populated downtown Denver was compared to the southern cities where I have spent the past three years (Jacksonville) and this summer (Little Rock) - but I stll couldn’t imagine myself living in downtown Denver all that comfortably. </p>

June 22 - Michael Lewyn

Stabilizing Housing Market May Still Prove Difficult

Obama Administration officials, speaking at a conference of real estate writers and editors, admitted that the housing crisis is far from over and administration efforts are taking time to have an effect.

June 22 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Smart Growth Program Vetoed

Texas Governor Rick Perry recently vetoed a bill that would have created a state level "smart growth" program.

June 22 - New Geography

Is River Setback "An Illegal Taking"?

Philadelphia's City Council has approved two new measures that would preserve historic buildings along the Delaware River and require 100 ft. green setbacks. Some developers are protesting the ruling, saying it amounts to an illegal taking.

June 22 - Philadelphia Inquirer


City Living Is Greener

Cities produce more CO2 per acre, but much less per person than other types of living, according to a new study by The Center for Neighborhood Technology.

June 22 - Chicago Sun-Times

The Best Laid Plans for TOD, Stalled

Planners in New Jersey developed ambitious plans for transit-oriented development along their rail corridors, but with the struggling housing market and poor economy, developers aren't showing up or have halted projects in the works.

June 22 - The New York Times


Most Unaffordable Housing, Most Livable Cities?

The Economist magazine has published it's list of the most livable cities in the world. But quite a few of these cities have the most unaffordable housing, complains Owen McShane.

June 22 - New Geography

Parking Vs. Healthy Food

Some cities are change zoning laws to free smaller supermarkets from having to supply parking spaces in order to provide enough nutritious food to low-income residents.

June 22 - STREETSBLOG.ORG

Closing the Loop on Energy Use

Architect Michael Palwyn is designing sustainable architecture that combines solar power and seawater into an ultra-efficient loop of resource conservation.

June 22 - GOOD Magazine

Is Prince Charles Abusing His Power?

A number of famous architects believe that the Prince is subverting the planning process by using his royal influence to stymie projects.

June 22 - NY Times

Meter Maids Get New Tool

A new technology in use in Sacramento, CA snaps pics of cars' tires and compares them on the next sweep, increasing the number of time violators caught.

June 21 - The Seattle Times

Officials Demand High-Rise Crane Come Down

City officials in Chicago are demanding the removal of a high-rise crane which stands at the half-built Waterview Tower, a monument to the economic downturn.

June 21 - Chicago Sun Times

Health Researchers Connect Global Warming and Obesity

A new book by four public health researchers shows that global warming and obesity have the same causes- we drive too much, and carbon-intensive foods have become our daily bread.

June 21 - Grist

Vancouver Begins Incentive Program to Boost Affordable Housing

Next month, Vancouver will begin a two-and-a-half year incentive program to encourage developers to build affordable housing.

June 21 - The Globe and Mail

Finding Public Space Wherever They Can in Cairo

Dense Cairo has few sanctioned public spaces. So residents make do wherever they can.

June 21 - The New York Times

Light Rail in Phoenix

The Phoenix Region recently opened a 20-mile light rail serving three cities. StreetFilms brings you a video profile of the new system.

June 20 - la.streetsblog.org

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail

Downtown Indianapolis' revitalization created several thriving cultural districts, but gaps in the urban fabric made them seem distant and unconnected. Planners' solution? The Indianapolis Cultural Trail.

June 20 - The Architect's Newspaper

Sustainable Sites Initiative: A New Stand-alone Rating System

The National Building Museum recently held a session on Sustainable Sites Initiative, which outlines voluntary guidelines for sustainable practices.

June 20 - THE DIRT

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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.