The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Dystopic Dioramas
Artist Lori Nix has created an installation she calls simply, "The City". It consists of detailed dioramas of crumbling public institutions like libraries, churches, and malls.
BLOG POST
What's in a name? Google may have the answer
<p> Google Labs has released another fascinating tool for researchers. Readers may already be familiar with <a href="http://trends.google.com">Google Trends</a> which can chart and reveal trends in search patterns for the last decade. The new tool allows similar analysis of Google's impressive library of digitized books spanning centuries. </p>
Five Technologies That Matter For Cities
Mobile broadband, government-sponsored cloud computing, smart devices - these are a few of the technologies that cities should be thinking about for the future, says the Institute for the Future in a new report.
A Voluntary Property Tax?
More cities are exploring the use of PILOT programs (Payments In Lieu Of Taxes) as a way to supplement ailing city coffers. The gist is that large non-profits, which are used to paying no property taxes, are being asked to chip in for city services.
A Look at the New Hoover Dam Bridge
This collection of photographs from <em>Smithsonian</em> documents the construction of the recently opened bypass bridge at the Hoover Dam.
Less Celebration In Disney Town As Foreclosures Rise
To be sure, Celebration still has amongst the highest real estate values, about twice Florida's median value. Yet the foreclosure rate of one of every 20 residents is twice that of the state's.
Cities: Art and the Creative Class Aren't Going to Save You
Thomas Sevcik says that hoping for an economic benefit by attracting the creative class and artists is a wrongheaded strategy.
The Growing Popularity of HOT Lanes
An interview with HOT lane expert Jack Finn of HNTB, which asks the tough questions, like are these "Lexus lanes" bad for the poor, or the environment?
The Tension Between Density and Place
Looking at a battle earlier this year over a proposed 430-ft. high skyscraper in San Francisco, John Parman says the problem with dense buildings is that they need to work with the surrounding place types.
'Ugly' Tourism in Belgium
An entrepreneur in a declining industrial city takes visitors on an 'Urban Safari.'
Encouraging Low Carbon Cities
Controlling carbon emissions hinges on encouraging cities that have small carbon footprints, writes Matthew E. Kahn.
Da Vinci's Experiment with Town Planning (Yes, That Da Vinci)
Was Leonardo a proponent of sprawl? The Renaissance man evidently believed the congestion of cities caused plagues in Milan in the 1480s, and drew up plans for a new city with wide streets and a network of canals.
China Enters U.S. Wind Market, Drawing Criticism
Chinese wind-turbine manufacturers are making a push into the U.S. market. Some say the move will create green jobs and foster growth, while others worry it threatens America's still-developing industry.
Saving the Suburbs
Grist talks with Galina Tachieva, author of Sprawl Repair Manual.
On Acela's 10-year Anniversary, Amtrak Looks Forward
Without doubt, the pride of the Amtrak fleet is the ten-year-old Acela train, the closest thing to high speed rail in existence in the United States. This piece looks at the current service and Amtrak's hope for the future for the northeast route.
FEATURE
How Shared Space Challenges Conventional Thinking about Transportation Design
Shared streets -- the idea that pedestrians, bikes and cars can all navigate together in the same space -- is a fundamental rethinking of the underlying philosophy related to the design and operation of transportation facilities, write Norman W. Garrick and James G. Hanley.
The More Cars You Own, The More Likely You'll Default
That's the conclusion of a new study published in the Journal of Sustainable Real Estate. Higher WalkScores also show a decrease in defaults, unless you're in a low-income area, which results in an increase in defaults.
Protesters Blast Wisconsin's Refusal of Rail Money
Protesters in Wisconsin are trying to reverse governor-elect Scott Walker's opposition to stimulus-funding for high speed rail projects -- $810 million that the government would have paid the state.
Jersey City's 'High Line' Spurs Controversy
A proposal to redevelop an abandoned rail embankment in Jersey City has pitted preservationists and smart growth proponents against each other.
Billions to be Invested in Infrastructure Ahead of 2018 World Cup
As Russia prepares to host the 2018 World Cup, officials are predicting that infrastructure projects will see a major boost.
Yukon Government
Caltrans
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Norman, Oklahoma
City of Portland
City of Laramie
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.
