The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

This piece from <em>Streetsblog San Francisco</em> looks at the city's recently announced plans for a bike sharing program and why the 50-bike pilot is likely to fail.

February 7 - Streetsblog San Francisco

Though the use of new portable greenhouse techniques, one farmer is looking to extend his local food growing season year-round -- in Northern Vermont.

February 7 - The Christian Science Monitor

In response to an essay on restricting outdoor advertising in L.A., designer and lawyer Lawrence Barth argues that putting these decisions into the hands of groups -- whether city- or activist-led -- can lead to unintended consequences.

February 7 - Design Observer

This slideshow from <em>Treehugger</em> offers visions of the future of cities -- from decades ago and today.

February 7 - Treehugger

Affordable housing initiatives have stalled with the collapse of the market in tax credits which fund construction. Advocates are resting their hopes in the stimulus bill to turn things around.

February 6 - Christian Science Monitor

The patterns of leafcutter ants are not unlike vehicular traffic patterns, yet they never get stuck in traffic or get in accidents. This article shows what we can learn from them, and why we probably never will.

February 6 - Wired Science

An investment group that bought the Queen Mary had big plans to redevelop the parking lots and moribund area around the grand ship. The difficult economy, however, appears to be jeopardizing those plans.

February 6 - California Planning & Development Report

The chairman of the Twin Cities' Metropolitan Council announced Monday plans to use federal stimulus money to fund the bus system rather than "shovel-ready" projects for which they were intended.

February 6 - Pioneer Press

A new study shows that New York City is losing is middle class, and quick. However, says one planner, the findings, though detailed, don't give the big picture.

February 6 - Crain's New York Business

As long as temperatures, population, and industrialization continue rising, the earth's water supply is in big trouble, as mapped here by German researchers.

February 6 - BBC News

DC writer Alec Dubro questions the pursuit of the green car, concluding we should cease its financial support. Though people may prefer the car culture, it would make more sense to pursue a ‘post car future’, citing Portland’s compact neighborhoods.

February 6 - The Progressive

The arrival of a town's new Wal-Mart is notorious for being detrimental to the community. But when it comes to social capital, obesity, leisure time, and social and political values, Wal-Mart might not be so bad after all, according to one study.

February 6 - Miller-McCune

After a recent state ruling requiring Seattle and other Puget Sound cities to control polluted stormwater runoff, smaller cities and suburbs could be brought on board as well.

February 6 - Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Architect Oscar Niemeyer has released plans to build new iconic buildings near the UNESCO-protected cultural and government center he designed in Brasilia 50 years ago. But locals have voiced opposition.

February 6 - Associated Press

Energy Secretary Steve Chu delivers a grim warning for California: Slow the pace of climate change or the state will lose its agriculture and cities.

February 5 - Guardian (UK)

Before officials get too excited about using stimulus money to repair the nation's infrastructure, they should carefully consider design, according to this oped.

February 5 - The Orlando Sentinel

The suburbs are struggling right now, but they are still around, physically. Allison Arieff asks what will happen to them next?

February 5 - The New York Times

Ridership is up on transit in the Twin Cities. Fewer cars are being sold, and tax revenues are down. With little funding expected to fill the gap, transit fare increases may be on the horizon.

February 5 - Minneapolis-St.Paul Star Tribune

This editorial lauds the new president for acting hastily on granting the waiver to allow CA and 13 states to require higher mileage vehicles, but warns it must not be an end in itself. A higher gas tax, it notes, will do more to reduce emissions.

February 5 - Los Angeles Times

In this op-ed, Peter Calthorpe warns against a massive investment to stimulate sprawl as was done after WWII. He notes 3 areas that need smart investment to make the American Dream sustainable: urban transit, environment, and multi-family housing.

February 5 - San Francisco Chronicle