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Can Vancouver "shift form"?
<p style="margin: 5pt 0in" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman">A new design competition thinks it can.</span></span> </p> <p style="margin: 5pt 0in" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman">In a recent post, I discussed the value of open design competitions in strengthening a city's "culture of design". I explained how Vancouver, often described as a <em>city by design</em> but in past years perhaps lacking a competition skill-set, is seeking to strengthen that culture, albeit by small steps and grass-roots efforts thus far. Here's the link - you might want to <a href="/node/37189" target="_blank">read that post first</a>. </span></span> </p>
Shovels Are In Motion, Says Obama
The President and V.P. addressed the Department of Transportation today, stating that the new investment in infrastructure "will create or save 150,000 jobs by the end of next year, most of them in the private sector."
New Experiments in District Heating
New projects in North Carolina and Ontario take an old idea of district heating to new levels using solar.
In Ancient City, Conservationists Can't Help Sprawl's Effects
Ninevah, one of the world's most endangered heritage sites, is deteriorating due to recent development and urban sprawl, say officials.
Fake Windows = Fake Urbanism
Urban designer Susan Braun points the finger at pharmacies and other suburban retailers who intentionally break the connection with the street by blocking up their windows.
What Lies Ahead for Las Vegas
This article looks at what the end of sprawl will mean for Las Vegas.
The Experience Heading Into The Urban Policy Office
This piece from <em>The New York Times</em> looks at the career and experience of Adolfo Carrion, the new director of the White House Office of Urban Affairs.
Old, NIMBY and Resilient?
The Economist wonders if Santa Barbara's relative financial health is owed to its aging population and resistance to development.
New Museum Turns Away From Starchitecture
Last year, plans for a new museum in San Francisco's Presidio were criticized for being harsh and not in keeping with the feel of the park. Back from the drawing board, John King says the new plans are much more in character and less iconic.
America's Most Congested Cities
<em>Forbes</em> has released its list of the most congested cities in America. Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Dallas and Washington D.C. top the list.
Another Modernist Plaza Reimagined
Philadelphia's Dilworth Plaza is another modernist civic construction that didn't live up to the architect's utopian ideals. A new design aims to create a more park-like atmosphere and improve transit access.
New York's Pedestrian Malls: Architects and Planners Weigh In
Six architects, planners, public intellectuals and authors give their differing opinions on Bloomberg's plan to turn Broadway into a pedestrian-only space.
Thinking Like Bucky
The Buckminster Fuller Institute has announced the 33 finalists in its Buckminster Fuller Challenge. All contest entries are featured on their website, ranging from an 'Urban Space Station' to an idea for 'making energy from dirt'.
Raise The Gas Tax AND Switch To VMT Fee, Says Commission
The National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission advises Congress that the U.S. is in an infrastructure crisis, and that they must raise the gas excise tax by ten cents now and begin the switch to a VMT fee.
"Ghettos" or "Enclaves"?
Studies showing rising concentrations of poorer immigrant groups in Canada's largest cities is causing concern that the country is becoming polarized. But, writes Doug Saunders, such enclaves may be the first step towards integration.
Bay Area Continues To Grow - At Fringes
In a report detailing three decades of growth in the SF Bay Area, an urban think tank details how commercial growth has been disproportionately in the non-transit accessible suburban office parks. However, SF shares the blame. Solutions are offered.
Housing Prices Low, But Not Affordable
The housing market has bombed, bringing prices and values to devastating lows. But despite lower prices, affordable housing is still in too short of supply, according to this piece from <em>Time</em>.
The World in Drought
Population centers the world around are caught in the grips of devastating droughts. Though temporary conditions, their increasing frequency should be a call to water-saving action, writes Tom Englehardt.
Stimulus To Help As Transit Tries To Keep Up
American Public Transportation Association President William Millar visits <em>Living on Earth</em> to discuss how the stimulus will benefit public transit in the U.S. -- and why it's "the best of times and the worst of times."
The Best Housing Markets for 2009... and the Worst
Builder Magazine selects 15 picks for the best housing markets to be in in the U.S. in 2009. Houston, Texas comes out on top, and, predictably, Detroit scrapes the bottom.
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.
