The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

BLOG POST

<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">A few days ago I posted a </span><a href="/node/41097"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">blog</span></a><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri"> that discussed the concept of </span><a href="http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm69.htm"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">Universal Design</span></a><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri"> (transportation facilities designed to accommodate all possible users, including those with disabilities and other special needs) and the value it provides to individuals and communities. One way to approach this issue is to define the <em>design vehicle </em>for pedestrian facilities.</span> </p>

October 15 - Todd Litman

Since Denver Metro voters passed FasTracks in 2004, transit ridership has almost doubled. Warren Karlenzig looks at how they did it.

October 15 - Common Current

FEATURE

New communication and interaction technologies are dramatically changing the way the public understands and participates in government. The emerging openness of data and information at the city level is broadening the urban policy conversation, but challenges and questions lie ahead as the open city develops.

October 15 - Nate Berg

Some excellent video illustrations of how including an element of fun can change people's behavior, including the 'World's Deepest' Trashcan.

October 15 - thefuntheory.com

As demand for parking at transit nodes has increased, developers have looked for ways to make their garages more 'green'.

October 15 - USA Today

Legislators in California are forming a special session to try to tackle the state's crippling water woes. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is hoping they can hammer out a deal within the week.

October 15 - The New York Times

Portland, Oregon is half-way through its ten-year plan to address homelessness. The city's seen improvements, but many challenges lie ahead, according to this report.

October 15 - Oregon Public Broadcasting

The U.S. Military are on the verge of releasing its new air fighter, the F-35, and about 200 U.S. bases are under consideration to house them. The new planes are three to 12 times louder than existing planes, which has some base neighbors on edge.

October 15 - NPR

Megan Lavalley may be the youngest planning commissioner ever, appointed to serve in Manchester, Vermont beginning Oct. 22nd.

October 14 - The Manchester Journal

A four-year study by United Way of Greater Los Angeles has shown that stable housing provides benefits to taxpayers as well as the homeless.

October 14 - Los Angeles Times

In order to cope with the Israeli blockade, millions of dollars have been invested in tunnels between Gaza and Egypt. Israel has bombed many of them. Now investors want their money back.

October 14 - BBC News

The high amount of foreclosures is expected to make things tougher for Census officials as they prepare for 2010 Census enumeration.

October 14 - The Associated Press

States across the US are stepping up their efforts to attract business from outside their borders. New Hampshire woos investors from its neighbors and the California-Nevada rivalry heats up.

October 14 - BBC News

Inventor David Buchwaldek has created a kayak-like recumbent bike that can travel over roadways and bike directly into a body of water, becoming a tiny boat.

October 14 - Inhabitat

A successful small business in Chicago has ruffled some feathers in a neighborhood grappling with crime and poverty. Why? Because Felony Franks is too unsavory a name, even for a hot dog stand that employs ex-convicts.

October 14 - The Wall Street Journal

The California Building Standards Commission recently okayed the use of greywater (slightly dirty water from tubs, washing machines, etc.) to be used for irrigation. They were catching up on a revolution 20 years in the making.

October 14 - Miller-McCune

Citing a recent study that demonstrates higher home values in walkable neighborhoods, officials in El Paso say it's time to change the way their city grows.

October 14 - El Paso Times

With no subway to La Guardia Airport, travelers are forced to take a bumpy bus ride. The MTA is testing a slight change that could make the trip just a little more comfortable.

October 14 - The New York Times

Joel Kotkin sees a trend in a 'New Localism'- people aren't moving around like they used to, and it's causing them to reengage with their communities.

October 13 - Newsweek

This slideshow features colorful, bold buildings from around the world.

October 13 - Fast Company