The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

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

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

February 9 - The Toronto Star

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

February 9 - The Christian Science Monitor

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

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

February 9 - The Los Angeles Times

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

Densification is often promoted as a solution to sprawl, but too much density too quickly can also backfire.

February 9 - Planetizen

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

February 9 - The Detroit News

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

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

February 9 - Hamburger Wirtschaft

FEATURE

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

Alaska Rep. Don Young argues that a deteriorating transportation infrastructure burdens the economy more than a gas tax increase would.

February 8 - News-Miner

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

February 8 - David Suzuki Foundation

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

Faced with rising complaints near a coal-fired power plant, the polluter makes an offer the people of Cheshire, Ohio can't refuse.

February 8 - The New York Times

Fixed rail is one of the most expensive and least effective transportation alternatives around -- why hasn't this gotten through to local officials and business leaders alike?

February 8 - Reason Public Policy Institute

With a forecast 195% increase in the number of 65-84 year olds in Australia to 2026, retirement villages could be the next development

February 8 - The Australian

Can a city experience be packaged and delivered? Or is it something that just happens with the right combination of serendipitous elements?

February 8 - Smart City

Investment in transit and infrastructure maintenance creates more jobs than investment in new highways.

February 7 - Surface Transportation Policy Project

Residents continue to inundate fire-prone areas of the west even after last fall’s devastating fires claimed 25 lives and more than 3,600 homes

February 7 - USA Today