The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Parks are "Volatile Places"

Peter Harnik of the Trust for Public Land spoke recently about the challenges facing urban parks, and how they can be catalysts for revitalization and change when done correctly.

June 10 - ASLA's The Dirt blog

Traffic Planning for Rock and Roll

Traffic congestion marred the early year's of the annual music festival Bonnaroo in Tennessee. But now, advanced traffic planning has made the gridlock only a memory.

June 10 - The New York Times

Do You Want a 9-Story Neighbor?

Misleading flyers are being circulated to drum up opposition to a mixed-use, transit-oriented development in the East Falls Church area of Arlington, VA., says Michael Perkins. His answer to the flyer's question? Yes.

June 10 - Greater Greater Washington

New Book Says Cars Are The Future

A review of the new book, "Two Billion Cars: Driving Towards Sustainability," which argues that cleaner cars are the future of transportation and barely mentions bicycling, walking or transit.

June 10 - re:place Magazine

L.A.'s '30/10' Plan Moves Ahead

At first considered a long-shot, the idea being pushed by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to fast-track 30 years worth of transit projects into 10 is gaining support at the highest levels.

June 10 - Los Angeles Times


Design Has Room to Grow in Brazil

As it prepares to host the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, there's room to grow in Brazil's architecture and design communities.

June 10 - Architect

Removing Cars to Revive Downtown Cairo

In an effort to regain its stature as a center of culture, Cairo is looking at plans to re-integrate the pedestrian into its now car-dominated downtown.

June 10 - Egypt Today


Why New York Needs Smart Growth Laws

New York State Assembly Member Sam Hoyt is sponsoring new legislation to bring state spending in line with smart growth planning principles.

June 10 - Streetsblog

Urban Accessibility in India

Infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists in Indian cities is glaringly absent, says Prof. Sudhir Chella Rajan. India needs to decide between an auto-oriented future like the U.S. or a European, pedestrian model.

June 10 - TheCityFix.com

Creating a 3D Record of Africa's Heritage Sites

<em>Fast Company</em> points to a project at the University of Cape Town which seeks to create 3-D renderings of Africa's endangered monuments and heritage sites.

June 10 - Fast Company

The Potato (Oh Wait, Planning) Famine Rises Again

With a new rural planning policy, thousands of backlogged development applications, and severe job cuts, Northern Ireland's planning industry could be facing a grim future ahead.

June 10 - Inside Housing

The Big Business Behind Local Opposition to Wal-Mart

Typically thought of as a war to protect small businesses in communities from being swallowed up by a giant, the local opposition to Wal-Mart stores is often funded secretly by other major grocery chains.

June 9 - The Wall Street Journal

Santa Clara Residents Back Stadium Spending

Residents in Santa Clara, California have approved a measure that would direct $937 million in funding towards the creation of a stadium intended to lure the San Francisco 49ers football team.

June 9 - Sa Francisco Chronicle

Sit/Lie Proposal Shot Down in San Francisco

A controversial plan being pushed by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom to ban sitting or laying on public sidewalks during certain hours of the day has been voted down by supervisors.

June 9 - San Francisco Chronicle

Could 'Farming Pods' Be The Water Towers of the Future?

Artist Natalie Jeremijenko's farming pods could be perched atop skylines in the future as a sustainable method of rooftop farming. They will grow fruits and vegetables in hydroponic chambers, allowing sunlight through a clear plastic skin.

June 9 - Fast Company

Daniel Burnham, Movie Star

A new documentary about the architect and planner Daniel Burnham - naturally called 'Make No Little Plans' - arrives in theaters this week.

June 9 - The Archimedia Workshop

Talking Design with Rios, Clementi, Hale

A varied involvement in architecture, landscaping, planning and product design has allowed the practice of Rios, Clementi, Hale to weather the recession. The designers describe to Marissa Gluck how they have navigated a path through divergent fields.

June 9 - The Architects Newspaper

A Brief History of International Expositions

As Shanghai aims to bring people together through spectacle, Edwin Heathcote examines the concept behind the festival and questions its relevancy.

June 9 - Financial Times

Are High Speed Rail and Renewable Energy "Liberal Fantasies"?

Michael Lind of the New America Foundation thinks that plans for high-speed rail and renewable energy are expensive fantasies that liberals need to give up on as soon as possible.

June 9 - Salon.com

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