The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

FEATURE

Mike Lydon of Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company reports on the recent Transport Summit in Charlotte, NC, where presentations ranged from discussions of 'context-sensitive' road design to crafting the 2009 federal transportation bill.

November 14 - Mike Lydon

The Department of Housing and Urban Development says the new rules will help buyers understand broker's fees will limit fee increases, and they are currently seeking legislation to give them the power to enforce the rules.

November 13 - The Wall St. Journal

San Francisco recently became the first city to mandate tax-free transportation benefit plans for companies with more than 20 workers. Currently unbeknown to many employers, the move may cause other cities to catch on.

November 13 - Chicago Tribune

In this op-ed, the former Secretary of the PA D.O.T. bemoans the lost opportunity to lease the PA turnpike to receive $12.8 billion from a private investor group, placing the blame squarely on the state legislature and the Turnpike Commission.

November 13 - Northeast PA Business Journal

FEMA has redone official maps of flood-prone areas across the country, designating some as flood zones for the first time.

November 13 - USA Today

Relative to those in Chicago's Grant Park or New York's Time Square, post-election celebration turnouts in San Francisco public spaces were sparse. But it's not because of urban design--it's the city's character.

November 13 - The San Francisco Chronicle

According to the Urban Land Institute, there is no need for Atlanta to continue building; currently, there is more than four times more construction going on than there is office spaced being used.

November 13 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Last week, a majority of transportation initiatives were approved by voters. This is good news for transit advocates, but risks still loom.

November 13 - The Wall Street Journal

More retail, joining residential and office developments, is seen as the crucial linchpin in the ongoing revitalization of Columbia, SC's Main Street.

November 13 - The State

The Skycar is a combination parasail, swamp boat and dune buggy. Sponsored by a British knight and arctic adventurer, the design team is planning an expedition from London to Timbuktu in January of 2009.

November 13 - autobloggreen.com

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has proposed a suite of tax and fee increases to create more than $1 billion for transportation projects in the state. The package will hit the legislature in January.

November 13 - The Oregonian

FEATURE

Oil is running out and the climate is changing. How this impacts cities will largely be determined by how the urban design field reacts.

November 13 - Nate Berg

When President-elect Obama takes office in January, he says, an Office of Urban Policy will be established, and a Director of Urban Policy will be in place to "coordinate all federal urban programs."

November 12 - The Washington Post

Military towns are seeing home sales go up despite decreasing home values elsewhere across the country, thanks in part to a steady wartime economy.

November 12 - Chicago Tribune

New office and apartment buildings in New York City are now mandated to provide a certain proportion of secure bike parking spaces.

November 12 - Business Week

Many are arguing for a new "New Deal" under President-Elect Obama. Economist Paul Krugman says there are many lessons -- good and bad -- Obama should learn from the first "New Deal" before taking the plunge.

November 12 - The New York Times

While many construction and development projects are finding trouble getting funded, sustainable design firms are hanging in there.

November 12 - The Architect's Newspaper

Giant 'supergraphics' drape over the sides of buildings in Los Angeles, usually advertising the latest blockbuster. Almost all of the signs are in violation of sign laws, and building inspectors think they may be fire hazards.

November 12 - The Coalition to Ban Billboard Blight

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has announced plans to charge a six-cent fee for every plastic bag taken at the register. While good for the environment, some New Yorkers still don't like the idea.

November 12 - The New York Times

North Carolina city dwellers have taken eating locally to a new level by raising their own chickens for eggs. Controversy ensues.

November 12 - Winston-Salem Journal