The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
BLOG POST
Changing Travel Demands: Implications for Planning
<p> <span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt">The graph below shows the most recent USDOT vehicle-travel d</span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt">ata covering the last 25 years. Although vehicle-miles of travel (VMT) grew steadily during most of the Twentieth Century, in recent years the growth rate stopped and even declined a little. It is now about 10% below where it would have been had past trends continued.</span> </p> <p> <span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt"><img src="http://www.vtpi.org/images/VMTtrends.jpg" alt="US VMT Trends" title="US VMT Trends" width="656" height="359" /></span> </p>
BLOG POST
Do You Have Innovative Smart Growth Projects That Need Funding?
<!--StartFragment--><p class="MsoNormal"><!--StartFragment--></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Verdana" class="Apple-style-span">As the post-recession economy continues to plod along, those in the non-profit sector continue to face stiff funding competition. Organizations furthering the smart growth/new urbanism cause may find this to be particularly frustrating, as re-working how and where America builds has never been so important. <span> </span></span></p>
Plan Like Utah
This post from <em>Citiwire</em> looks at Salt Lake City and the state of Utah as home to some of the most active and progressive planning practitioners.
How The Golden Gate Bridge Got Into Transit
Unlike the nearby Bay Bridge that was built to accommodate the Key System streetcars, the Golden Gate displaced existing ferry service. Carl Nolte, the Chronicle's historian, provides the background for the 40th anniversary of its ferry service.
Suburban Tax on Traffic
To help pay for transportation needs, a Kansas City suburb approved a "driveway" tax based on the amount of traffic a property is expected to generate.
A Data-Based Interpretation of Burning Man
The annual week-long art festival Burning Man is kind of hard to define. This infographic provides some data and context about the event and the temporary city it forms in the Nevada desert every year.
High Speed Rail Gradually Develops, But Critics Remain Vocal
As high speed rail projects begin to take shape across America, commuters are anticipating eased travel but skeptics remain critical.
Reducing Cyclist-Pedestrian Accidents in Japan
New rules in Japan say that cyclists are liable for accidents between themselves and pedestrians, especially on the country's sidewalks.
Creating Smart Cities and Replicating Silicon Valley
Google CEO Eric Schmidt discusses what makes a city smart and successful in this interview with <em>Foreign Policy</em>.
High Density and High Concentrations of Cars
Looking at Census data for urbanized areas and auto ownership, Randal O'Toole argues that denser areas have high rates of auto ownership per square mile, a correlation that is likely to increase congestion.
New York Street Redesign Aims to Improve Safety
The Wall Street Journal reports on an extensive street redesign plan in New York City to be completed by 2030. The plan is aimed at an especially dangerous area.
Can We Get Utopia Right?
Salon interviews author J.C. Hallman about his new book "In Utopia," which explores modern-day utopian projects and how they differ from those of the past.
Friday Funny: Animal-Shaped Cities Planned in Sudan
Officials in Southern Sudan are floating a fleet of proposals to build new cities in the shape of animals and fruits.
The Vancouver Dream, The Vancouver Nightmare
Despite its reputation as a planner's dream, the city of Vancouver has incredibly high housing prices, which is part of the reason <em>New Geography</em>'s Steve Lafleur calls it a middle class nightmare.
Private Buses Make a Comeback in NYC
Recent MTA budget cuts have forced New York City to axe a few of its bus routes, but they've had the effect of spurring a new wave of private bus initiatives.
Soda Giant Leading Effort to Clean World's Polluted Rivers
As rural and urban runoff taints the waters of the Yangtze River in China, environmentalists have joined forces with Coca-Cola to try to improve water quality -- a move that's good for water users in China, and for the water-dependent business.
Opening the Shutters on Chandigarh's Monuments
Chandigarh, the modernist city designed by Le Corbusier in India, is becoming increasingly popular among scholars, critics and a rising residential population. But some of the best parts of the city are closed to the public.
Seeking Private Sponsors for Colosseum Renovation
The city of Rome is looking for a private sponsor to buy advertising rights on its historic Colosseum. The $33 million contract would pay for renovation on the site.
The Fastest Place on Earth
The Bonneville Salt Flats in Western Utah are where drivers and engineers attempt to break the land speed record -- an activity that has transformed this otherwise unused space into one of the more important sites of modern human history.
A Comparative Analysis of Land Use Controls
Various rules and regulations control the form of today's cities. This info graphic and article from <em>re:place</em> looks at how those systems control the urban environment and how they compare.
City of Clovis
City of Moorpark
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.
