The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Chicago Privatizes Parking

For $1.16 billion, Chicago Parking Meters LLC, has won the rights to manage Chicago's parking meters. This is one step the city has taken to ease budget shortfalls.

December 4 - The Wall Street Journal

Hawaii is Game for Electric Cars

The state is on board for a new plan that involves building an electric vehicle transportation system, complete with a slew of web-based battery recharging stations.

December 4 - The New York Times

Relaxing Sign Rules

The city of San Angelo, Texas bucks a regional trend towards stricter regulations for signs used as advertising.

December 4 - San Angelo Standard Times

This Season, Some Light Displays Sacrificed

Around the country, cities have been forced to scrimp by cutting back on holiday-themed light displays.

December 4 - USA Today

New Bridge Tolls and Payroll Tax Proposed For NYC Transit

A rescue package for New York’s debt-ridden M.T.A. includes two new revenue generators: first-ever tolls for the East and Harlem River bridges, and a 12-county, corporate payroll tax, to supplement fare and toll increases and transit service cuts.

December 4 - The New York Times


Duany Not a Fan of Modern British Architecture

Architect Andres Duany spoke in front of architects on Tuesday, pointing out 50 years of mistakes made by architects and planners in the UK.

December 4 - The Guardian (UK)

Effect of California's New Anti-Sprawl Law Uncertain

Clearly it has aroused enormous excitement and hope amongst California's smart growth advocates, but the new anti-sprawl, greenhouse gas-reducing law, SB 375, may do more in the tone it sets than in the changes its supporters hope it makes.

December 4 - San Francisco Chronicle


What's A Rail Station Without Parking?

The New Jersey Transit's Secaucus commuter rail station is the topic of scorn by a New York Times editorial because it doesn't provide commuter parking - even though it was designed as a 'transfer station'.

December 4 - The New York Times

FEATURE

NEWS SUMMARY: Cities Cutting Back

December 4 - Nate Berg

Financial Turmoil Leads to Reverse Migration in China

As more and more of China's "floating population" return from their city jobs to their farms, officials brace for backlash from the recently unemployed.

December 3 - The Wall Street Journal

Great Lakes Compact Comes Just in Time

Between the invasive species, questions of drinking water safety, and dipping water levels, the Great Lakes have been taking a beating lately.

December 3 - The Christian Science Monitor

Balancing A City's History With Its Future

In a place as dynamic as New York City, balancing preservation with development pressure is no easy task.

December 3 - New York Times

Architect Hopes To Spread 'Pedestrianizaton'

The transformation of Copenhagen from a car-choked thoroughfare to a lively, pedestrian center began in 1962 with the closing of the Strøget, and folks walked and biked in record numbers. Now architect Jan Gehl hopes to spread this new urban culture.

December 3 - The Globe and Mail

Another Mayor Arrested; City Faces Bankruptcy

The mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, faces a slew of federal charges related to bribery and abuses of power.

December 3 - Birmingham News

Mayor Takes Message To YouTube

The mayor of San Francisco delivers his annual state of the city message in ten 45-minute segments on YouTube rather than in person.

December 3 - NPR

Clearing the Way for Mixed-Use, But Economy Puts Projects On Hold

The people of Salt Lake City have gotten behind the switch to mixed-use, and developers have been clearing away old sprawl. But the flailing economy has put projects on hold, leaving the city with a landscape full of holes.

December 3 - Utah Stories

Woes Awaiting New Transportation Secretary

Of primary importance will be dealing with the National Highway Trust Fund, long the source of federal transportation funding, but not having seen an increase in the gas tax for 15 years, it is essentially broke - spending more than it brings in.

December 3 - The Washington Post

Churches and the Price of Preservation

The demolition of a registered historic church in Brooklyn has underscored a debate over historic religious facilities between preservationists and congregations who struggle to pay the added costs of owning historic property.

December 3 - The New York Times

Could Vagrants Doom A Rebounding Downtown?

The issues posed by homeless people in downtown Riverside, California, are not out of the ordinary. But they definitely do not help the city's efforts to revitalize downtown.

December 3 - California Planning & Development Report

Cities are Gas Guzzlers, Too

Like the major automakers, cities have been warned for years that they need to rein in sprawl and become more energy-efficient; and having neglected these warnings must now restructure how they operate, says Jack Diamond of the Globe and Mail.

December 2 - The Globe and Mail

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