The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

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<p> Last year I had the opportunity to teach a graduate course on &quot;Web 2.0 for Policy and Planning&quot; at the University of Southern California&#39;s School of Policy, Planning &amp; Development. </p> <p> Although I am co-teaching a different class this year, I have updated my <a href="http://ppd599.wordpress.com/">course website</a> with a revised course syllabus and extensive <a href="http://ppd599.wordpress.com/reading/">reading list</a> on Web 2.0 and planning, based on what I learned from teaching the course in Spring, 2009. </p>

March 11 - Chris Steins

The Center for Public Integrity continues its investigation into who is influencing transportation policy at the federal level. They found that lack of governmental focus has left the door open for developers to point the way.

March 11 - Center for Public Integrity

California republicans are arguing that the state's environmental laws are hurting the economy. This editorial from the <em>Los Angeles Times</em> questions the wisdom of that argument and wonders what negative impacts would come from lifting CEQA.

March 11 - Los Angeles Times

In an effort to track and reduce energy use, large buildings in New York City have been eligible for a system that monitors energy use by the hour. But few building owners have signed up.

March 11 - The New York Times

While it's typically states and the federal government that spend most of the money on marketing the decennial census, cities have been taking the lead in 2010.

March 11 - Governing

The first new international airport in America in more than a decade is taking form in Florida panhandle. It's part of a broad effort to turn the region into a destination -- and a valuable real estate development.

March 11 - The New York Times

The small community of Tofino on Vancouver Island is looking to ban all future franchise retail establishments from moving into town.

March 11 - The Vancouver Sun

Most of the new housing units being occupied in New York City are illegal basement spaces. Bringing those spaces up to code could create thousands of units of affordable housing in the city.

March 11 - Urban Omnibus

Can historic preservation make room for evolution, and even change? UNESCO's Cultural Landscapes designation attempts to leave room for places to evolve without losing their character.

March 11 - ASLA's The Dirt blog

A new book explores the disconnect between how a "mega-city" region is portrayed through statistics, demographics, etc., and how it is perceived by the public.

March 11 - re:place Magazine

FEATURE

March 11 - Scott Doyon

Officials in Reynoldsburg, Ohio are pushing through strict design guidelines with expensive requirements in an attempt to encourage high-end condos over rental apartments.

March 11 - The Columbus Dispatch

The director of the Cincinnati Art Museum says in order to prepare for the future, the city should rebuild its streetcar system and build on its strengths in the arts.

March 10 - Architect Magazine

According to the latest census data projections, Canada will become a remarkably diverse nation in the coming decades, with increasing ethnic and racial mixing being concentrated in the nations' cities.

March 10 - The Globe and Mail

The latest addition to Google Maps is a bicycle service, helping cyclists plan routes, find bike trails, and avoid hills.

March 10 - Chicago Tribune

Grist writer Lisa Selin Davis argues that now is the time to make public transit a priority in serving outer suburbs, because the rebounding economy will inevitably lead to increased demand.

March 10 - Grist

A European report shows that high-speed rail is creating social cohesion and accessibility for remote places. Could the same effect happen in the U.S.?

March 10 - Brookings blog

Dwindling tax revenues force fiscal restraint in Maryland, where planners are shifting money from highway expansion to infrastructure maintenance.

March 10 - Baltimore Sun

Carl Anthony suggests that emerging land use policies (such as high speed rail) could threaten to exacerbate trends towards racial segregation, unless there is broader participation from people of color in planning processes.

March 10 - Yes! Magazine

Slate continues its series on wayfinding with the little-known story of the symbolic conflicts among the U.S., the former Soviet Union and Japan over how to direct people in a time of crisis.

March 10 - Slate