The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Remaking Market St.
San Francisco's Market St. is the main street in town, but has had mixed success as a public space and a history of accidents involving pedestrians and bikes. Mayor Newsom has announced a new effort to improve safety and the public realm.
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A Low Cost Way to Learn About the Future of China
<p> During my first week in China, I have spoken to dozens of people and toured all over Beijing. I even have a map listing the locations of all of the McDonalds in Beijing. Spatial theorists need to write down a model to explain how a uniform distribution of McDonalds is what we observe. </p> <p> While I am quite happy to be here, this is not a low cost trip. The flight over was literally a pain in the neck. I'm in trouble with my wife </p>
U.S. Poverty at 11-Year High
The poverty rate hit an 11-year high in 2008, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Highs and Lows of The Pittsburgh Marathon
The Pittsburgh Marathon was canceled for five years due to budget constraints, but a recent study shows that the 2009 race generated over $22 million in spending.
The Geography of Pot in Los Angeles
The <em>Los Angeles Times</em> has mapped the city's medical marijuana dispensaries, and found many that fall within a proposed buffer that would keep the outlets away from schools, parks and libraries.
Kenyan High-Speed Rail On Track
Kenya's national railway operator is planning a high speed rail line to transport freight and passengers and could pose a challenge to the South African consortium that currently runs rail services between Kenya and Uganda.
Palm Springs' Forgotten Historic District
Palm Springs has rediscovered a historic district that's been on the books for 23 years, but has been somehow forgotten until this week. Preservationists see this as a huge win, a way to protect the unique neighborhood and showcase its architecture.
Friday Funny: Suburban Fantasies
With names like Aspen Grove and Sunrise Park, you might mistake these suburb designs for the real thing. But something's not quite right in artist Ross Racine's birds-eye views of imaginary suburbs.
AASHTO Picks Top 10 Transportation Projects
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials has selected finalists in its 2009 America's Transportation Awards competition. Projects range from lane-widening in Delaware to HOT lanes in Miami.
Some Say Olympic Green Efforts Fall Short
Organizers of next year's Winter Olympics in Vancouver are hoping to add a green sheen to the international event, but some critics say they aren't doing enough to offset the huge carbon footprint the Olympics will carry.
Finding Efficiency At Home, In the Trash
Solar-powered trash compactors, while not cheap, pay for themselves relatively quickly. With state and city budgets more liquid thanks to stimulus money, municipalities are snapping them up.
What's Happening - And Not Happening - At Ground Zero
Eight years after terrorists felled the World Trade Center towers in New York City, progress on rebuilding the site has been slow and mired in controversy.
Dubai's New Metro Opens
A new rail system has opened in Dubai, becoming the world's longest fully automated, driverless metro system. But some wonder whether the system will see much use in the oil-rich Emirate.
George Jetson meets Blade Runner: Architects on the Future of Chicago
Blair Kamin reviews the futuristic showcase, "Big. Bold. Visionary. Chicago Architects Consider the Next Century," curated by architect, Edward Keegan, on the anniversary of Burnham and Bennett's Plan of Chicago.
Partial Closure Planned on San Francisco's Market Street
San Francisco's notoriously congested Market Street will soon see a lighter load of traffic, as officials roll out a pilot project that will ban private vehicles from the roadway.
New York City's Data Collection Chopped in Half
New York City has for decades collected data about itself through more than 2,500 statistical indicators. But now, that number has been chopped down to about 1,200. Officials say it creates a streamlined look at the city, but others call it a loss.
LA's Wilshire Blvd. Bus-Only Lane Moves Forward
In an important step toward a bus-only lane on LA's busy Wilshire Blvd., the city council approved beginning an Environmental Impact Report for the project, to only minimal skepticism from the councilmember from the wealthier part of the area.
Urban Foragers Find Food in the City
Forage SF promotes the idea of eating uncultivated food found growing naturally, and even sells boxes of "wild food." Reporter Tara Lohan joins a forager, or "freegan", as they collect goodies from the streets.
Slowdown in Construction Spells Trouble for Dallas' Preservation Office
As construction has slowed in Dallas, its office of Preservation and Planning has seen a large deficit in funding from fees. Half of its positions could be on the chopping block. Preservationists worry, while officials say they have bigger concerns.
Wikiplanning a City
As part of their Envision 2040 process, the City of San José is soliciting user input through a web-based wiki.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
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.
