The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Public Art Project's Impact at $69 Million
Olafur Eliasson’s "Waterfalls" public art installations around New York Harbor's waterfront generated an estimated economic impact of $69 million, exceeding the initial estimate of $55 million.
Oil Price Plunge Dampens Green Technology
The new 'oil shock' is one of plummeting oil prices and its effect on alternative technologies and energy. Combined with the credit crisis, the fallout in some green technologies is shown by difficulties in attracting capital and customers.
Legislations Rewards Affordable Housing with Parks
A new piece of legislation rewards local governments in California that build affordable housing with money to build and maintain parks.
Preserving Land to Save Money
Voters in suburban Minnesota will vote on whether to invest $10 million to preserve a closed golf course. Or they could save the $10 million and allow a developer to build houses. But many say it will be cheaper in the long term to buy now.
Affordable Housing That Improves the Neighborhood
Critic John King says three new housing projects in San Francisco go beyond the goal of shelter, creating fun, attractive environments.
Bike Programs Cut Cars on Campuses
Universities are looking to cut down on the number of cars students bring with them to school by offering free bikes and bike sharing programs.
Climate Change Tackled by Cities and States
Before the fiscal crisis, there was the global climate crisis. After the fiscal crisis, we’ll still have the global climate crisis — for the rest of our lives.
Traffic-Fighting Proposition Falls Short
According to Neal Payton, Santa Monica's Proposition T, intended to cut traffic growth, is useless.
Sprawl To Blame for Lack of Community Involvement
In central New Jersey, all the signs that usually indicate extensive community involvement are there: affluence, education, and diversity. But in reality, participation levels are low. A new study shows that sprawl may be the culprit.
Leafy Skyscraper Going Up in Singapore
Construction on architects TR Hamzah & Yeang's EDITT Building (Ecological Design in the Tropics) is underway in Singapore
Phoenix Hopes for Light Rail Revitalization
Phoenix is counting on a new light rail system to revive one of the city's long-ignored commercial corridors when trains start operation at the end of the year.
The Dreaded 'Empty-Lane Syndrome'
As a new 2.7 mile dedicated bus lane opens in Austin, transportation planner Ralph Trapani of Parsons Transportation Group says to watch for 'empty-lane syndrome': the tendency of drivers to use open lanes illegally when in bad traffic.
Right to be Homeless - With Shelter - Established in B.C.
A court decision in British Columbia allowing people to camp in public parks has resulted in tent cities for the homeless. It is a precedent that may have ramifications across the country.
NIMBY Couple Fights Bus Route
This column looks at the NIMBY-minded attitude of one couple that has been fighting to prevent a bus line from coming into their neighborhood.
Home Builders Stepping In To Help Home Buyers
Builders are creating online educational programs to help potential buyers clean up their credit and obtain loans.
Land Use Reform Tops China Agenda
China's government has announced major changes in property rights for farmers, giving them the ability to 'lease, exchange, or swap' their plots.
California's $10 Billion High Speed Gamble
Sacramento Bee columnist Daniel Weintraub evaluates the pros and cons of California's $10 billion High Speed Rail Proposition 1A. With state revenues are already expected to be over $10 billion short than projected, he thinks it is a risky measure.
Neighborhood Mapping A Booming Business
Bernt Wahl is a pioneer of neighborhood mapping techniques. This profile in <em>Wired</em> profiles this growing industry, and Wahl's struggles with intellectual property. Who owns your neighborhood?
Kotkin's 'New Localism'
Joel Kotkin thinks that the effects of the financial crisis may not be all bad, and may even encourage a new focus on family and community ties.
Scranton, PA - Not What You Think!
In this election, Scranton has come to symbolize blue-collar America, with visits by all four national candidates, parodied on Saturday Night Live, as well as the scene of NBC’s The Office. But the city is in a turnaround after decades of decline.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
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.
