The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Rezoning "Sprawleigh"
That's the nickname earned by Raleigh, North Carolina, due to its fast and unrestricted growth over the past decade. The city is planning an extensive rezoning for its 2030 plan, which TIME Magazine calls "ambitious".
Demand Grows for Housing That's Smaller and Closer
The demands of the housing market are shifting to smaller homes that are in denser locations and closer to jobs, according to a new survey from the National Association of Realtors.
$1 Homes to Urban Homesteaders in Buffalo
City of Buffalo program has inspired a small and growing movement of "homesteaders" who are buying City-owned houses for one dollar and rehabbing them.
BLOG POST
Planners' Sacred Trust
<p class="MsoNormal">Most professions have special responsibilities to society. Physicians are expected to observe the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath">Hippocratic oath</a>. Police officers must apply the law fairly and refrain from abusing their power. Lawyers and accountants are expected to offer accurate advice and protect client confidentiality.</p><p class="MsoNormal">And planners? We have a special responsibility to consider all perspectives and impacts. When evaluating public policy questions most people ask selfishly, “How does this affect me?” Planners, in contrast, should ask selflessly, “How does this affect the community, particularly disadvantaged and underrepresented groups?”</p>
America's Top 13 Transit Cities
This post from <em>Shareable</em> lists the top ten American transit cities, as chosen by <em>U.S. News and World Report</em>, and three runner-up cities.
FEATURE
Portland's Portal of Opportunity
Recovery and Rebirth in Cleveland
A city in decline for decades, Cleveland is showing signs of recovery, according to this article from <em>Smithsonian</em>.
Adding Warmth and Life to Sidewalks
Sidewalks in Holland have for years utilized piped-in waste heat to melt snow. Now, they've added an additional sidewalk amenity: a hearth.
Urban Housing on the Rise in Washington D.C.
Housing in the urban core of Washington D.C. is expected to grow in coming years as demand for it increases.
Creating a Culture of Transit
Even office parks in the exurbs can have high rates of transit use, according to success seen at an office park in San Ramon, California.
Post-Katrina Population Boom in New Orleans: Chickens
Stray chickens have overrun many parts of New Orleans since it was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
CA Law Raises Renewable Portfolio Standard From 20% to 33% By 2020
The law signed yesterday by Governor Jerry Brown was touted by US Energy Secretary Steven Chu as "a model for other states."
The Synthesis of Creativity and Manufacturing
Tom Vanderbilt argues that manufacturing will never disappear from our cities, because the creative class will always seek small-scale industry to make their ideas a reality.
Planning and Childhood Health
Marissa Ramirez, a planner, biologist, and former cancer researcher, writes about the connection between the neighborhoods children grow up in and their health later in life.
New Study: Solar Panels Are "Contagious"
A new study out of Stanford University found that individuals are more likely to install solar panels if their neighbors have them.
Do It Yourself Urban Design
Gordon Douglas, writing for Good Magazine, explains that there has been an increase in the "unauthorized, creative alteration of public spaces for the common good" by enterprising citizens.
The Greying of the Suburbs
In the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri, the young people have mostly left and older folks have decided to "age in place." This worries city administrators, who see their tax base leaving the workforce.
Miami's Latest Boom: Bicycling
With the aggressive implementation of a new master plan, an expansion of grassroots organization-led rides, the Bike Miami Days ciclovia, and a new bike sharing system, Miami and its surrounding municipalities are finally embracing urban cycling.
When TODs Fail to Catch On
Two transit-oriented developments in Salt Lake City have struggled to attract tenants. Critics say this is evidence that the whole idea of TOD is wrong, while supporters say they're just getting started.
LISC's Secret of Success
Neal Peirce discusses the 30-year history of LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation), which he points to as a true success story in the struggle to provide affordable housing.
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.
