The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, is reinventing itself as an increasingly wealthy and fast developing country through its architecture.

October 30 - Architectural Record

A contest sponsored by the Vancouver Public Space Network asks the public to find Vancouver's heart, a civic square that best defines the city. Sean Ruthen ponders the city's relationships to the each its primary squares now.

October 30 - re:place Magazine

Shopping malls are rarely architectural gems. Architects, especially big-name architects, typically try to stay away from designing them. But now architects are rethinking how malls should be, and looking to examples of the distant past for guidance.

October 30 - Metropolis Magazine

This special issue of Metropolis Magazine highlights "citizen architects" working on small-scale projects to improve local communities.

October 30 - Metropolis Magazine

Preservationists say that there are better ways to use buildings along Brooklyn's industrial waterfront than to demolish them.

October 30 - The New York Times

The UK's "eco-towns" are feeling the hurt of the current economic situation, with only one or two likely to move ahead.

October 30 - Guardian

FEATURE

Foreclosures are blighting neighborhoods across the country. There's no question that something needs to be done. But to react effectively, the field of community development needs to carefully consider which areas should be targeted and how much can be saved, argues Charles Buki.

October 30 - Charles Buki

Car dealerships -- long-sought by cities as big tax revenue generators -- are struggling in the economic downturn. Nearly 600 have closed this year, and another 100 are expected to shut down by the end of the year.

October 30 - The Wall Street Journal

BLOG POST

It&#39;s Halloween and that means it&#39;s costume time. But, what&#39;s that you say? Too busy updating your comprehensive plan to find a costume? Well, don&#39;t fret! I&#39;ve got some last-minute costume ideas for the busy urban planner that are both fun and planning related.<br /> <br />

October 29 - Nate Berg

China's Communist ruling party has agreed to allow farmers to transfer land use rights for farming. The plan is designed to consolidate landholdings, discourage uneconomic farmers, and boost rural incomes for 750 million people.

October 29 - Christian Science Monitor

Sacramento Bee political columnist took three road trips through 17 states and has a few comments to make, along with some facts, about the condition of the Golden State's roads - in comparison to those he toured, and where the responsibility lies.

October 29 - The Sacramento Bee

As more and more people move to the cities, the prevalence of economic and racial segregation becomes more and more apparent.

October 29 - Next American City

Reportedly, only 1.5% of architects are minorities--but while current black architects gain more respect, it is a good time to reach out to minority youth who might also want to go into architecture.

October 29 - The Boston Herald

In allowing places to be designed for cars before people, city planners are primarily to blame for creating an "autocentric" America, according to this article.

October 29 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Decades of plans and interventions have failed to improve the Downtown East Side of Vancouver, one of Canada's most notorious neighbourhoods. The two mayoral candidates have very different visions for the DETS.

October 29 - Globe and Mail

Historically, green initiatives come about as responses to energy crises, but are abandoned when oil prices drop and the economy busts. This time around, though, that's less likely to happen.

October 29 - NPR

If history is any indicator, Senator Obama's presidential plans to pump more federal money into fixing cities' problems are futile and wasteful, according to Steven Malanga.

October 29 - City Journal

The State Department of Transportation fears that makeshift memorials for killed motorists will distract drivers, and has offered families public signs as alternatives.

October 29 - The International Herald Tribune

Demand for hotel construction in the Caribbean is fueling the destruction of sandy beaches, which are being hauled away by the truckload.

October 29 - The Globe and Mail

BLOG POST

<p> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Courier New'">When Vancouver City Council approved the new EcoDensity Charter and Initial Actions earlier this year, among these was a prioritized action to further develop the idea of laneway housing.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Courier New'"> </span> </p> <p> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Courier New'">The issues and options report relating to this work program is now available for downloading from the <a href="http://www.vancouver-ecodensity.ca/content.php?id=42" title="EcoDensity">EcoDensity website</a>.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Courier New'"> </span> </p>

October 28 - Brent Toderian