The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Clamoring for Highway Funds
States ready to go forward with highway projects are seeing equally eager construction companies put in bids as low as 50% below budget, and far ahead of schedule.
Flexibility and Integrity
Portland urban designer Arun Jain has released his Urban Design Framework, a vision that requires planners to give themselves more leeway "without giving up core values."
BLOG POST
Compact in Nature: An Urbanist in Japan
<p> It’s always tempting returning from a vacation to a foreign country to come to conclusions about how that society works. This isn’t entirely a bad thing- after all, exposure to different ways of life are mind-expanding and suggest new possibilities. My first trip to Rome redefined the way I think of public space, and set me on a path leading to a career in urban planning. </p> <p> <img src="/files/20090415_philosophers2.jpg" alt="Along the Philosopher's Walk in Kyoto." title="Along the Philosopher's Walk in Kyoto." width="438" height="329" /> </p> <p> <em>Along the Philosopher's Walk in Kyoto.</em> </p>
Is Using Gray Water a Bad Idea?
The Southern Nevada Water Authority is officially opposing the residential use of gray water, arguing that it diminishes the replenishment of Lake Mead and, ironically, discourages water conservation.
City Critique in Manhattan
This post features highlights from "Urbanisms Inc.," a forum on urban theory in New York City that took place on March 30.
Towns Falter As Local Civic Leaders Fail
Community businesspeople in Loganville, GA had planned on funding a new park in the town, but with their incomes taking a major hit funds for projects like this are drying up.
Canada's Cities Need More Creativity, Says Richard Florida
In this excerpt from the Canadian edition of "Who's Your City?" author Richard Florida argues that, while Canada's cities have done well to avoid some of the economic disparities of U.S. cities, they will need to work harder still.
The Horizontal Skyscraper
A new building going up in China is will be the as long as the Empire State Building is high. It will also be raised on columns to create a parkland underneath, giving the impression that it is floating.
BLOG POST
California Eliminates Transit, Expands Freeways
<p> Here in San Diego, public transportation is on life support. Despite record ridership, trolley and bus service has been reduced, with some bus routes cancelled altogether. Fares are up across the board. The monthly light rail pass will be $72; three years ago it was $60. <br />
Developers Pressed Appraisers For Higher Values During Boom
Reporters at the Land Use Accountability Project have uncovered evidence that home appraisers were under great pressure at the height of the bubble to inflate home values.
Inside a 20-Minute City
This piece from <em>Worldchanging</em> looks at the Seattle-area city of Ballard. It's a "20-minute city", where people can get to practically everything they'd want or need to within a 20-minute walk.
Obama Advisor on the State of Transportation
GOOD Magazine talks with Joseph M. Sussman, an external adviser to the Department of Transportation and professor at MIT, about high-speed rail, intelligent transportation systems, and more.
Place May Be Major Factor In Cancer Rates
Reports have long linked higher cancer rates to different racial groups, but a new study suggests that location may play a more significant role in the prevalence of the disease.
Studying the Health Effects of Living Near Freeways
Researchers are teaming up with Boston community members to study how living close to freeways can be harmful to residents' health.
No History, But Charm Nonetheless
A recent trip to Doha reveals a city with little history, but also the revelation that history is not the only aspect of a city's charm.
Zoning the Oceans
Researchers at Duke University are advising Congress to develop zoning rules for the oceans that will guide where offshore energy generation can and should occur.
Historic Small School Faces Closure
The elementary school in Goodsprings, Nevada is a historic and central part of this small town. But with just six students, the costs of running the school are climbing too high for administrators.
Preaching Urbanity in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City has seen its share of foreclosure in its outer suburbs. Local planners and urban planning professors see this as an opportunity to convince locals of the benefits of city living.
Hooking Up Gardeners and Backyards
Wait times for a plot of land in one of Santa Monica's community gardens have grown so long that officials are instituting a new program to connect gardeners with homeowners willing to share their backyards.
HUD's Dollar Program Misses Mark, Benefits Contractors and Investors
An L.A. Times investigation reveals that HUD's 10-year-old Dollar Homes program provided little lasting benefit to the intended recipients and significant rewards to investors and contractors.
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.
