The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Protests in Tokyo over Privatizing Public Space
Miyashita Park in Tokyo is an historic site with a history of homeless encampments. Officials plan to turn the park into a skateboard park, with naming rights purchased by Nike.
Disney's Thwarted Alpine Village
Mineral King is a site adjoining Sequoia National Park that the Park Service wanted to lease as a resort. Walt Disney was gung ho to do it, and got pretty far in planning an alpine village resort before the project was killed.
UN Vote Against Israeli Settlements Vetoed by US
While calling Israeli settlement construction "folly" the U.S. has nonetheless vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution that would have condemned Israeli settlement construction as "illegal."
"Roombots" Can Become Any Item of Furniture You Need
Scientists are developing modular robots that can move themselves around the room and pull themselves into chairs, beds, desks, or whatever piece of furniture you need at the time.
Treetop-Oriented Development
Finca Bellavista is a development on the southern coast of Costa Rica with 5 houses and 24 other buildings, all sustainable treehouse structures.
Decaying Modernism in Africa
A new show of South African photographer Guy Tillim's work reveals the modernist architecture of Africa as a remnant of colonialism.
Facelifts for Buildings Can Save Energy
"Reskinning" buildings -- or adding a new facade -- is taking off in Canada and Europe.
Leaving a Legacy of Smart Growth
Maryland's Governor O'Malley, heading into his 2nd and last term, wants to leave behind a legacy of environmental improvement, including new smart growth policies to limit building in rural areas.
An Airport Transformed
Five international design teams released their ideas this week for redeveloping Edmonton's City Centre Airport into a dense, energy-efficient neighborhood. Green roofs, canals, ice rinks and geothermal heating all come into play.
Demographic Flip-Flop in Washington D.C. and Suburbs
Washington D.C. has for many years had a high population of African Americans. But now, they're moving out to the suburbs and white people are moving in.
BLOG POST
Bike Sharing Coming To Hoboken & Jersey City?
<p>While it is still in the early stages, it's nonetheless exciting to post that Hoboken and Jersey City are collaborating with Hudson County Transportation Management Association (TMA) to explore ways to bring a full-fledged bike sharing program to the west coast of the Hudson. The full details are posted in a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI) here:</p><p><a href="http://www.hudsontma.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=227&cat_id=21&Itemid=61">http://www.hudsontma.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=227&cat_id=21&Itemid=61</a> </p>
Forget The Automobile, More Streets for Pedestrians and Cyclists Coming to L.A.
Despite the city's heavy dependence on cars, a newly-approved project in Los Angeles will transform a Downtown street into a better experience for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit-riders.
A Unique Time for City Finance
Cities' financial challenges are leading directly to fundamental governance challenges, including questions that are not normally part of budgetary discussions. The consequences for city life and municipal functions may be substantial.
Head of HUD Gives One Condition to Future Grants: Sustainability
In an interview, the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan says that federal money will only go to those who embrace sustainability.
Top 5 Urban Infographics
Yuri Artibise is an expert on infographics and has chosen his favorite ones on cities.
Don't Forget Suburbia, Fix It
As more and more people move to cities, they will be the focus of much policy and investment. But the suburbs should not be forgotten, argues Mary Newsom. They should be fixed.
On the Bicycle as Transportation
Accompanying a bike commuter on his 50-mile ride to work, this article from <em>Outside</em> looks at the state of bicycle transportation today.
Fundraising for Detroit RoboCop Statue As Urban Regeneration
A grassroots online campaign has already raised more than $50,000 to build a statue of the science fiction character RoboCop in Detroit. The effort's organizers call it an art project with the goal of urban regeneration.
The Best Downtown Revitalization Projects of 2010
Urban Land Institute's Award for Excellence winners include projects in Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C.
New City in Florida if Built Could Become Jobs Center
Owners of a citrus grove near Hobe Sound, Florida want to create a new city, calling it a potential "job-oriented community."
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
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.
