The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
City Attempts to Find "The Right Price for Parking"
This week the city of San Francisco will launch its SFpark Program in an attempt to appropriately price street parking and reduce traffic due to people cruising for available parking spaces.
High-Speed BUS Travels at 150 MPH
Wubbo Ockels, a Dutch physicist and astronaut, has designed and built a prototype high-speed bus as an alternative to high-speed rail. (VIDEO)
Urban Farming on Brownfield Sites
At a national conference on brownfields, representatives from the EPA outlined how to safely farm an urban garden on top of a contaminated site.
The Chinese Alternative to Home Ownership
In this article the author describes the Chinese practice of assigning individuals apartments which are little more than shells. He claims that the act of customizing the shell creates a sense of ownership similar to that of homeowners in the U.S.
International Resolution on the Need For Quality Public Spaces
UN-HABITAT (United Nations Human Settlement Programme) recently adopted its first ever resolution on public space, encouraging equity and the development of quality public spaces.
Tel Aviv's Controversial Skyline Plans
Once low-slung, Tel Aviv has seen a number of towers shooting up randomly around the city. A new master plan gives the green light to more towers, but tries to pull them into a more coherent urban form.
Return to Treasure Island
This Thursday, San Francisco's Planning Commission is expected to approve one of the most anticipated developments in the city's history: the reconstruction of the former naval base on Treasure Island into living space for 19,000 residents.
Solar Power Mandate Could Endanger Cultural/Ecological Sites
With a major push by the federal government to achieve 80% clean energy by 2035, the California Energy Commission is moving quickly to approve permits. Sensitive Native cultural sites are threatened by the speedy process, say many involved.
Why Public Art?
Does public art make a difference, and how? ASLA's The Dirt blog looks at all the ways public art is effective, from job creation and real estate value to cultural cache and tourism.
Urban Grocery Stores a Hot Market
Grocery stores are having a renaissance, with new, smaller stores being built in urban areas and new ideas in store layout and design to attract pedestrians, not just drivers.
Floating Solar Panels Open Up New Potential
In Napa Valley, California, land is at a premium. Startup solar companies saw potential in underused bodies of water and developed floating solar panel arrays to meet the need.
Mississauga's "Priority Neighbourhoods" Targets Suburban Poverty
With poverty indicators rising in suburban areas, Mississauga is looking to emulate Toronto's controversial "priority neighbourhoods" strategy to improve access to services.
Volkswagen Concept E-Scooter Could be Future Bike Share Vehicle
At the Shanghai Motor Show, Volkswagen debuted its concept E-Scooter, which has a range of 25 miles per charge. Of more interest to urbanists is their intention to use the vehicle in a "bike-sharing" system.
The LEED Silver, Prefab, Quick-to-Build Apartment Building
When one thinks of prefab, its usually a lowslung modernist building sitting by itself on a lot. A group of designers and engineers are debuting a plan for multi-story prefabricated buildings.
Rejected Developer Keeps Fighting County to Build
Developer Gerald Friedman is incredulous that county commissioners won't let him rezone his property in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
China's Ghost Cities
The Australian documentary series Dateline examines the enormous and unprecedented property bubble building in China [video].
The Complex Game of Public-Private Partnerships
John Calimente reviews a new book that aims to explain the complicated back-and-forth that happens when government teams up with private interests on development projects.
Getting the Smart Grid On Line
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) has opened a new testing facility in San Ramon, California to experiment with smart grid technology. They're currently testing new systems for reducing outages.
BLOG POST
An Election Call-to-Action for Canadian Urbanists!
<p> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Courier New'">Here in Canada, we're in the midst of a Federal election. It’s an election where if you’re interested in urban issues, you’re likely quite frustrated.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Courier New'"> <br /> </span>
Debate Over New Condos, Hotel in Brooklyn Bridge Park
The plans for the newly-opened Brooklyn Bridge Park included a 150-room hotel and two 30-story to 40-story condos buildings, which planners say were necessary to make the project pencil out. As construction nears, some locals are upset at the plans.
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.
