The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Mapping the Origins of Products
<em>GOOD</em> introduces us to Sourcemap, a project from the MIT Media Lab that visually tracks the origins of the components that make up everyday products.
New Urbanism in Abu Dhabi
While Dubai's fantastical Burj Khalifa is mostly empty and development has ground to a halt, Abu Dhabi continues to develop - and smartly, says Philip Langdon.
Fertilizers Banned in Polluted Florida County
Certain fertilizers will be banned from use during summer months and rainy times of the year in Pinellas County, Florida after a recent ruling by the County Commission.
End of the Big Box Era
In Birmingham, Alabama, developers are seeing a lot of empty big box and anchor retail spaces, while smaller, neighborhood centers are actually seeing an increase in occupancy.
London Airport Seen as Ideal Hub for Proposed High Speed Rail
A conservative think tank in the UK is calling for London's Heathrow Airport to become a new high speed rail hub. However, the group warns that increased traffic would necessitate the construction of a third runway.
New Research: Lawns Aren't Green
Lawns - long known to be the main culprit in urban water consumption, now can be blamed for another environmental woe - greenhouse gas producer in excess of whatever carbon it 'sinks'. The gas is nitrous oxide - 300 times more potent than CO2.
The Cure for Ailing Parking Lots
In Portland, up to 400 food stands have sprung up around the city, enlivening underused spaces.
Local Leaders Seek Louder Voice in Planning of Bridge to Portland
After years of planning, a proposed new bridge between Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington is facing collapsing political support. Local leaders oppose some aspects of the plan.
FEATURE
On Top of the World: Looking Down from Dubai's Burj Khalifa
The world's tallest building is now open in Dubai. Christopher Corbett takes you up to the 124th floor.
Corner Stores and Fat Kids
Urban convenience stores are being further linked to childhood obesity after the release of a new study from Temple University.
The Worst Commutes in America
<em>The Daily Beast</em> has released a list of the 75 worst commutes in America. Top of the list: L.A.'s Hollywood Freeway.
The Role of Design and Architecture in Saving Haiti
This episode of <em>DnA</em> wonders whether design and architecture will be able to help Haiti revive itself.
Cities With High Percentage of Car-less
Transportation planner Jarrett Walker looks at the top 50 cities of over 100k people and the percentage of people who don't own a car. Do the cities that made the list shed some light on how planners can discourage car use?
Andrés Duany Takes Off the Gloves
Huffington Post writer Seth Bauer experiences one of Duany's famous, unstoppable rants about the state of the American environment.
Lawmakers Consider Using Trust Fund for Transportation Projects
Lawmakers in Alabama are considering a plan to withdraw $1 billion from a state investment fund to pay for road and transportation projects in the state. It's a move proponents say will create jobs, but opponents worry about diverting those funds.
Diversify Your Water Buys
By combining three water purchasing approaches -- permanent rights, options and leases -- cities can better manage water supplies to avoid high costs and supply reductions, according to a new study.
Fighting Mumbai's Demand for Car Ownership
The demand for personal transportation is quickly growing in Mumbai. This post from <em>The City Fix</em> looks at what the city will need to do to prevent the negative impacts of what could be a growing storm of car ownership.
Obama's Infrastructure Grade: A-
A year ago, the Brookings Institution offered a series of suggestions to the Obama Administration for addressing infrastructure problems. Some advice was followed, other suggestions weren't. The Institution gives the Administration an A- for 2009.
Despite Praise, Portland Has Room for Improvement
Portland, Oregon, is held high on a pedestal for innovative urban planning and development. But the city has its drawbacks and needs to face them, writes Aaron M. Renn.
A Car Street Undesired
While in Copenhagen for climate talks in December, U.S. officials got a taste of Danish-style bicycle planning. Some of them liked what they saw, but translating that infrastructure here in the States is no easy task.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
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.
