The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
A New Emphasis on Compact Communities in Chicago
Branden Klayko says that Chicago's new GOTO 2040 plan is a bold vision that includes extensive infill development and an emphasis on creating compact communities around transit.
Peak Oil Coming Soon, Says Energy Exec
Charles Maxwell, a former energy executive who is now an analyst at Weeden & Co., says "peak oil" will drive oil prices to US$300 a barrel over the next decade.
Controversial Housing Bill Advances in NJ
A law requiring New Jersey towns to ensure 10 percent of new units are affordable now awaits a vote by the State Assembly.
Cash-Strapped Township Puts Bridge Up For Sale to Public
The Pennsylvanian township of Upper Salford is auctioning off a 35-year-old wooden bridge to the highest bidder through an online forum, the latest creative solution for cash-strapped local governments seeking to clean up expensive local problems.
What Urban Agriculture Means for Urban Design
Charles Waldheim examines the current trend's roots in design and architectural history and how it might alter city form.
Skyscraper Blight?
James M. Russell calls a proposed office tower to be built across from the new Penn Station "2.83 million square feet of blight." What makes a skyscraper blight?
Transit Bridge Rises in Portland
A new $135m bridge over the Willamette River will include designated lanes for pedestrians, bikes, and public transit vehicles, but not private cars.
10 Places Poised for Economic Recovery
Joel Kotkin hypothesizes as to which cities will emerge from the recession stronger than ever.
Lassoing a Plan for El Paso
Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX will be getting 30,000 more troops under the Base Realignment and Closure program, which means a major effort to plan for the added people.
A Model of Main St. Revitalization
Roberta Brandes Gratz pays a visit to Mt. Morris, New York, a town that many are looking at as a prime example of economic revitalization.
Recession Chic in Braddock, PA
Braddock has become the poster child for a sort of bootstrap revitalization - an attitude that Levi's wants to rub off on their jeans. In exchange for using Braddock as a brand enhancer, the company built Braddock a community center.
The Art of Sprawl
Aerial photographs by photographer Christoph Gielen turn sprawl into beautiful, abstracted images.
Amtrak Eying Abandoned Hudson Rail Tunnels
Amtrak may work with NJ Transit to build a second set of tunnels (previously known as ARC that was scuttled by NJ Gov. Christie) under the Hudson River, possibly to connect with New York's Penn Station, according to an Amtrak VP and NJ Transit.
New Earthquake Research Reveals Best, and Worst, Building Locations
A new study finds that surface topography, not solely an area's underlying geology, contributes significantly to earthquake intensity. Researchers hope that the new information can be easily factored into local planning and design processes.
Doing More With Less in Los Angeles
In a recent press release, L.A. Director of Planning Michael LoGrande announced that he is reorganizing their reduced staff to "focus on and master critical functions."
When Small Alleys Cause Big Headaches
Getting the City of Boston to pick up the tab for maintenance and repair of certain alleyways has proved frustrating for residents of the city's South End, due to high costs and restrictions associated with transferring ownership rights to the city.
Safest City Neighborhood in the U.S. is in Los Angeles
As WalletPop notes, "some city neighborhoods are actually safer than most neighborhoods in America regardless of whether they are urban or rural." The area around Cahuenga Blvd. in L.A. comes out on top, with a crime rate of .96 per thousand.
Residents Resist County Plans for Marina del Rey
A meeting last week at the Regional Planning Commission attracted dozens of speakers angry with L.A. County's plans to change the zoning around the marina to allow new development of apartments and retail spaces.
FEATURE
What Makes A City Great? An American Perspective
H.V. Savitch attempts to break down the attributes that make a city great, and concludes that a city need not score high in all the categories in order to achieve greatness.
The Miracle of Gas From Algae Isn't Panning Out
Last year, the idea that diesel fuel could be created using algae was all over the news. Unfortunately, the effort can only work on a very small scale that makes no sense, says Jonathan Marshall of PG&E.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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.
