The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Charlotte recently won a $25 million federal grant to begin construction on a streetcar system. <em>The Charlotte Observer</em> goes over some of the system's basics.

July 15 - The Charlotte Observer

Vancouver's streets are buzzing with a new wave of street food vendors, part of a pilot program to expand formalized informal commerce downtown.

July 15 - Globe and Mail

With the Russian spies being sent home, Clifford J. Levy wondered if they'd miss the comforts of U.S.-style suburban living. What he found is that today's Russia has imitated the way of life, including gated communities with American names.

July 14 - The New York Times

By an 8-3 vote at 1:35 AM, July 14, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved a plan to add 10,500 homes (32% affordable) on a 720-acre brownfield site known as Hunters Point, a former shipyard, including 320 acres of parkland and open space.

July 14 - San Francisco Chronicle

Detroit is a city of borders: international borders, borders between cities and not-cities, and borders between the success of the past and the uncertain future, writes Jerry Herron in this essay for <em>Places</em>.

July 14 - Places

10 years after a town in England declared itself a "fairtrade" town, the ethical trading movement has grown to 500 towns across the world.

July 14 - Guardian

Lawmakers in New Jersey have approved a bill that will limit annual property tax increases to 2%.

July 14 - The New York Times

Like many transit agencies across the country, the economic recession has limited the capacity of Chicago's CTA to maintain itself. <em>Governing</em> talks with the man tasked with saving -- and recreating -- the troubled system.

July 14 - Governing

A new book looks at the environmental, energy, and social consequences of keeping cool by using air conditioners. In this 4-minute public radio interview, author Stan Cox explains how to keep cool, just in time for the East Coast heat wave.

July 14 - American Public Media: Marketplace

A exhibit currently at the Centre Pompidou in Paris called "Dreamlands" looks at the lasting and deep influence of themed environments and amusement parks on how we think about cities.

July 14 - Aesthetica Magazine

The AIA Guide to New York City was last updated 10 years ago, and the latest version shows an explosion of glassy residential towers. James Russell says the guide is "monumental."

July 14 - Bloomberg News

After three years of false starts, there is renewed interest in a congestion pricing plan for the Chicago area.

July 14 - Chicago Tribune

Christopher Leinberger, author of The Option of Urbanism, takes on Joel Kotkin's latest dustup on the "war between the city and the suburbs." Leinberger argues that the data Kotkin's using is dated and doesn't reflect reality.

July 13 - Brookings blog

A teacher in Baton Rouge, LA asked her creative writing class how they would solve the racial division in their city. The class came up with a monorail. "If the bus runs through your neighborhood, you know you're in the hood," explains one student.

July 13 - NEWS21

The local environmental justice movement to remove a short, recently renovated Bronx expressway has taken on national prominence. On July 13, NY DOT is expected to release three options that may decide its future, including one to remove it.

July 13 - The New York Times - N.Y. / Region

The Gulf spill, renewed attention to federal deficit, and summer driving prompts the Washington Post to advocate for a gradual increase in the all-time low federal gas tax, while acknowledging 'fierce' opposition by the electorate and politicians.

July 13 - The Washington Post - Editorial

A recent report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors shows that high speed rail can be a driver of business opportunities. <em>National Journal</em> asks its panel of transportation experts if they think those findings are correct.

July 13 - National Journal

This piece from Re:Place looks at the urban impact of kiosks and food carts.

July 13 - re:place

How walkable neighborhoods are is playing an increasingly important role in decisions about where to buy homes.

July 13 - The Wall Street Journal

As Brazil prepares to host the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics, its cities are trying to improve their public transit systems.

July 13 - The City Fix