The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Wal-Mart Battles For California
Some California cities and counties have banned mega=stores in response to Wal-Mart's expansion plans but the giant retailer is fighting back.
Southern California Losing Ground
The recently published 'State of the Region 2003' report finds that Southern California is becoming less competitive relative to the rest of the nation.
Royal Town Planning Institute (UK) Appoints New President
Mike Hayes, 56, accepts the top position at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
The Crumbling Of A Street
Brooklyn Heights’ Montague Street becomes inundated with commercialism, unbeknownst to the locals.
A Deadly Plague Of Slums
Mike Davis warns that concentrated poverty and poor santitation in Asian and African slums could cause a worldwide public health catastrophe.
Wal-Mart Forced To Prove The Value Of Its Supercenters
Next month, voters in Contra Costa County, CA, will decide if Wal-Mart supercenters belong in their community.
Portland, Maine: Growth Comes At A Price
Portland, Maine tops a variety of lists as one of the most livable communities in America, but can it afford to pay the price of its success?
Political Power Gravitating to Canada's Cities
Canada's new urban reality is making provincial governments appear increasingly obsolete.
Is Gambling A Solution For California?
The Golden State considers whether more Las Vegas-style gambling is an answer to its giant budget shortfall.
Is Licensing Street Performers A Good Solution?
Would a city ordinance that regulates the bleak street performing scene in the City of Baltimore be an impetus for its growth and enliven the city streets? Or would it have a crippling effect?
The Success Of Transit Villages
Transit villages are becoming popular -- and economically successful -- throughout Southern California.
Does Density Make A City Thrive?
The population density of Paris is about three times that of Boston. If Boston's population were tripled, would it would become another Paris?
Too High A Density Can Also Promote Sprawl
Densification is often promoted as a solution to sprawl, but too much density too quickly can also backfire.
Supermarket Darwinism
Detroit-area supermarkets are shrinking in face of "wholesale stores" with Walmart still to come.
Houston's Focus On Planning Gets Noticed
A Super Bowl visitor to Houston writes that although the city's reputation for visual blight is deserved, the city is catching on to good city building.
BIDs: An Export Innovation?
The mayor of Hamburg, Germany's second city, promotes the idea of "business improvement districts".
FEATURE
Too High a Density Can Also Promote Sprawl
Densification is often promoted as a solution to sprawl, but too much density too quickly can also backfire. Adequately implementing a smart growth strategy involves positive publicity, family-centric environments, and motivated developers.
A Gas Tax To Finance Transportation Infrastructure?
Alaska Rep. Don Young argues that a deteriorating transportation infrastructure burdens the economy more than a gas tax increase would.
Sustainability for Canadian Cities Possible Within A Generation
Dr. David Suzuki presents new environmental report to conference of Canadian municipal and federal leaders
Eyesore Of The Month
James Kunstler's eyesore of the month highlights architectural blunders in his home town in Upstate New York and around the country.
Pagination
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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