The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Return to Futurama
At the 1939 World's Fair, one of the most popular exhibits was the Futurama, sponsored by GM and portraying a dazzling society of skyscrapers and freeways. Today, a group of architects, engineers and planners are creating a new Futurama.
Swine Flu and the Prospects for Urban Agriculture
The present threat of a global pandemic reveals the fundamental problem with visions for 'sustainable cities' relying on urban agriculture: there are important medical reasons for separating livestock operations from people.
The Future of Urban Lighting
This article showcases six new types of streetlights that reduce energy use in very different ways.
Miami's Marine Stadium Garners Historic Preservation Ranking
A unique stadium along Miami's Biscayne Bay makes the list of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's 11 most endangered. Local historians hope the ranking nets further support to restore and preserve the dilapidated structure.
Pittsburgh Mayor Announces Riverfront Revamping
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced that the city will work to redevelop a 6.2 stretch of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, selling large tracts of city-owned land to developers.
Making Clean Energy Reliable
Clean energy is a major component of the Obama Administration's plans for an upgraded electricity grid. But with variable outputs, clean energy generation from solar and wind will need to be augmented, according to this piece from <em>NPR</em>.
Chicago Sees Boost in Transit Ridership
More Chicago area residents are riding transit when compared to figures form 2003, and they're riding more often.
Beijing's Olympic Pollution Efforts Fall Short
Despite efforts to clean up Beijing during last year's Olympic Games, pollutant reductions were very minor, according to a new report.
Building the Smart Grid Smartly
In the sixth of a ten-part series, National Public Radio investigates the sustainability of smart grid technology in the places where its likely to be applied.
Embattled Las Vegas Mega Project to Finish
The $8.5 billion CityCenter casino complex designed for the Las Vegas Strip had been stalled over financial issues between two of the funders, but now an agreement has been reached and the mega project is set to complete on time.
'Casino City' Planned in Spain
The Spanish government is moving forward with plans to build the largest casino and entertainment complex in Europe
San Francisco's Bike Sharing Program Slow to Get Rolling
Environmental review processes and logistical issues are delaying the creation of a bike sharing program in San Francisco, announced in February by Mayor Gavin Newsom. Set to start with 50 bikes, some have criticized the program for aiming too low.
Google Takes Government Data Public
A new search tool from Google makes it easy to find public information, a move the company hopes will encourage governments to be more transparent with their data.
Rebuilding as the "Town of the Future"
After Greensburg, Kansas was nearly flattened by a tornado in 2007, rebuilding the town has taken an environmentally conscious road.
Standing Up for the Brooklyn Bridge
David McCullough's <em>Newsweek</em> essay ponders the negative effects of a proposed development on the majestic Brooklyn Bridge's image.
To Make Planning Relevant, Turn to Open-Source Methods
Urban planning is falling into obsolescence, according to this piece, but employing old bottom-up techniques that value input from a variety of sources will make it relevant again.
Battle Brews Over "Significant" Hotel's Fate
Now that Los Angeles' Century Plaza Hotel has been listed as one of the nation's most endangered historic places, preservationists argue the irony behind developers' plans to demolish the building to "green" the area.
Rybczynski: People, not Architects, Make Icons
According to architect critic Witold Rybczynski, most iconic architecture never intended to be, and it should stay that way.
Changes Coming to Trucking Industry
A senior executive at Navistar, a manufacturer of medium and heavy trucks, says the industry is heading for significant changes, including a shift away from long hauling to regional distribution.
The Art of Balancing Retail
Diversity is important to neighborhood commercial areas, but getting the right balance of retail and restaurants without disincentivizing the former is not so simple.
Pagination
Municipality of Princeton
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
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.