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.

February 10 - The San Francisco Chronicle

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.

February 10 - Southern California Association of Governments

Royal Town Planning Institute (UK) Appoints New President

Mike Hayes, 56, accepts the top position at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

February 10 - Waterford Observer (UK)

The Crumbling Of A Street

Brooklyn Heights’ Montague Street becomes inundated with commercialism, unbeknownst to the locals.

February 10 - The New York Times

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.

February 10 - TomDispatch


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.

February 9 - The San Francisco Chronicle

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?

February 9 - Portland Press Herald


Political Power Gravitating to Canada's Cities

Canada's new urban reality is making provincial governments appear increasingly obsolete.

February 9 - The Toronto Star

Is Gambling A Solution For California?

The Golden State considers whether more Las Vegas-style gambling is an answer to its giant budget shortfall.

February 9 - The Christian Science Monitor

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?

February 9 - Baltimore City Paper

The Success Of Transit Villages

Transit villages are becoming popular -- and economically successful -- throughout Southern California.

February 9 - The Los Angeles Times

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?

February 9 - Harvard University

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.

February 9 - Planetizen

Supermarket Darwinism

Detroit-area supermarkets are shrinking in face of "wholesale stores" with Walmart still to come.

February 9 - The Detroit News

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.

February 9 - The Houston Chronicle

BIDs: An Export Innovation?

The mayor of Hamburg, Germany's second city, promotes the idea of "business improvement districts".

February 9 - Hamburger Wirtschaft

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.

February 9 - Martin Laplante

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.

February 8 - News-Miner

Sustainability for Canadian Cities Possible Within A Generation

Dr. David Suzuki presents new environmental report to conference of Canadian municipal and federal leaders

February 8 - David Suzuki Foundation

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.

February 8 - Times Union

Post News
Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO

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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.