The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Reusing Broken Concrete as a Method of Sustainable Construction

NYC is reusing materials from a construction site in Queens to redesign the area's streetscape with pedestrian safety in mind.

March 9 - THE DIRT

Seattle's Growth Through Human Capital

Despite what seemed to be a drained post-industrial condition in the 1970s, Seattle has been growing. This post looks into why.

March 9 - The New York Times

Megacity to Install 500,000 Security Cameras

The Chinese megacity of Chongqing has announced plans to install a half a million surveillance cameras by 2012.

March 9 - Agence France Presse

Mapping Cities in India

With high development occurring in India, new mapping technologies can greatly help smart growth in the burgeoning country.

March 9 - The Wall Street Journal

Controlling Growth in SunBelt Cities

Cities in California, Florida, Arizona, and Nevada that were "sunburnt" by the economic recession need to smartly manage their future growth.

March 9 - USA Today


BLOG POST

Threats of Gridlock are Greatly Exaggerated

<p class="MsoNormal">A few weeks ago the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) released its latest <a href="http://mobility.tamu.edu/ums/media_information/press_release.stm">Urban Mobility Report</a>, and yesterday INRIX released its <a href="http://scorecard.inrix.com/scorecard/">National Traffic Scorecard 2010 Annual Report</a>. Both paint a grim picture of roadway conditions.</p><blockquote style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 40px; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: none; padding: 0px"> <p class="MsoNormal"> “America is back on the road to gridlock,” warns INRIX. </p>

March 9 - Todd Litman

Overlaying Form-Based Zoning

Columbus, Ohio has been experimenting with zoning overlays, which do not change the underlying land use regulations but add a set of form-based regulations focused on livability.

March 9 - Columbus Dispatch


New Riverfront for Minneapolis

The city of lakes ironically gets a redesigned riverfront, as was unveiled by the city's Park and Recreation Board. Click for more and the video of the winning design.

March 9 - THE DIRT

Driving Up, But Down Per Capita

New data from the Federal Highway Administration shows that vehicle miles traveled are up to their highest level since 2007. But when population growth is factored in, those levels drop significantly.

March 9 - Brookings Institution

Seattle's 'Unsustainable' Parks System

As the parks system grows in Seattle, it is becoming more difficult to afford to maintain. One local official calls the system "unsustainable".

March 8 - The Seattle Times

Audit Rips CA Redevelopment Agencies

California Controller John Chiang, an independent, elected officer, audited 18 of the state's 425 redevelopment agencies (representing 16% of all RDA dollars) and found huge differences in how blight is defined and a lack of accountability.

March 8 - Los Angeles Times

Rethinking the Essence of Urbanism

An contributor to the Huffington Post writes what he believes is the core of urbanism as a thought and its purpose.

March 8 - The Huffington Post

Dominance on the Most Livable Cities

Why do cities in Australia and Canada consistently dominate livability ratings?

March 8 - GOOD Magazine

NYC MTA Dumps Subway Cars In Ocean

For over a decade, the City of New York has disposed of thousands of old subway cars by tossing them into the Atlantic Ocean. The "Artificial Reefs Program," as it is known, is considered by the city as an environmentally friendly method of disposal.

March 8 - Fast Company

Baby Steps in Buffalo Towards More Light Rail

Buffalo, NY transportation planners have begun a new feasibility study that could lead to the first extension of Metro Rail since its completion in 1985.

March 8 - Buffalo News

The Skyscrapers of Tomorrow

Of the world's ten tallest buildings currently under construction, one is located in the United States and five are in China.

March 8 - The Infrastructurist

Where Are the Healthiest Housing Markets for 2011?

The 2011 Healthy Market Index, which is compiled from projections made by Moody's Economy.com, is dominated by cities in the South.

March 8 - Builder Magazine

NYC Residents to Challenge Use of Eminent Domain

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg faces challenges in his attempt to redevelop the Willets Point area of the city. Some opponents of the plan are prepared to file a lawsuit against the city.

March 8 - The New York Times

Paying for U.S. Transportation Investments

A Senator from Oregon wants to revive the expired "Build America Bonds," but limit their use to investments in transportation.

March 8 - National Journal

Homegrown Carpooling Makes A Difference in D.C.

In Washington, D.C., 28 miles of HOV lines make it very tempting to add a couple of passengers in your back seat. A booming, informal system has formed around just that, which locals call "slugging."

March 7 - Miller-McCune

Post News

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.

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.