The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Prague Plans Pedestrian Zones, Excludes Homeless
Prague is building on prosperity and tourism by creating new public-private spaces for shopping and entertainment. Detractors are concerned that they are destroying real public space, and are paired with greater control on unwanted users.
BP's Chief Scientist Advocates Higher Gas Prices
BP's chief scientist provides his insight into solving the energy and climate crises, including the affect of higher gas prices and separating transportation from the heat and power sectors when dealing with strategies to reduce carbon emissions.
Foreclosed and Disenfranchised?
Thousands of Americans who have lost their homes in the foreclosure crisis may find themselves ineligible to vote in November.
Downtown Miami Developer May Bet On Casinos
The developer of a nine block mega-project may pursue casino gambling as an added component to what promises to transform a derelict portion of downtown Miami.
Twin Cities Spreading
The Minneapolis-St. Paul region is spreading further south, according to a recent study, which shows that projected growth will require more than 50,000 new homes and millions of square feet of retail and office space.
The Real Bailout America's Cities Need
If we can bail out the investment industry, we should be able to bail out our failing infrastructure, according to this column from Neal Peirce.
Military Sprawl in Afghanistan
The military presence in Afghanistan is expanding at a rapid pace, creating a military sprawl.
Secretive Seattle Freeway Replacement Plans Revealed
For the past year, a Washington state legislator has been devising a plan for replacing Seattle's damaged inner-city freeway, the Alaskan Way Viaduct. His plan has mainly been a secret -- until now.
Calles Sin Carros: Mexico City's Weekly Car Ban
Once a week, car-flooded streets convert into bike- and pedestrian-flooded public parks in crowded Mexico City.
FEATURE
Dharavi: India's Model Slum
BLOG POST
Should the Internet Replace Newspapers for Public Notices?
<p> In thousands of planning and zoning laws across the nation, official announcements are required to be published in the local newspaper of "<strong>general circulation</strong>." In an era of newspaper decline and expanding diversity of media, are these laws becoming obsolete? Furthermore, should we be concerned with newspapers at all if a newer, more universally accessible medium is available: the Internet? </p> <p> A variety of announcements are legally required to be published in a local periodical of "general circulation," sometimes in addition to being published in an official government gazette. The practice entered the planning world through the U.S. Department of Commerce's highly influential <a href="http://www.planning.org/growingsmart/enablingacts.htm">standard zoning and planning enabling acts</a>.
Rural U.S. Losing Out on Innovation
Alex Steffen of WorldChanging observes the growing divide in innovation between urban and rural America.
BLOG POST
Searching for Subversion in Boston
<div> </div> <div> I've always wanted, but never quite had the cred, to go to Burning Man. Instead, I went to this year's rendition of <a href="http://www.parkingday.org/" target="_blank">National Park(ing) Day</a> in the hopes that it would provide a reasonable, if diminuative, substitute in temporary parks across the country. Creative minds can do a lot with 180 square feet, especially when there are straight-laced passers-by to shock and paradigms to subvert. <br /> </div>
Enough With the Planning, it's Time for Some Doing
This column from the <em>Globe and Mail</em> expresses some common frustrations with a slow-moving regional transportation plan.
Genius Grant for Urban Farmer
Will Allen began Growing Power, an urban farming non-profit, in an ailing Milwaukee neighborhood in 1993. He has since spread the gospel of urban farming throughout the world, and earned a MacArthur Genius grant for his efforts.
Main Street Thriving in Utah
Midvale used to be the heart of Utah's mining industry. After an economic slump, downtown Midvale has come back thanks to small businesses and a new influx of immigrants.
Complete Streets Bill Moving Forward in California
The California legislature has approved a "complete streets" bill to help make city streets more accessible and livable. The bill is awaiting approval from the governor.
Greenwich Facing 'Financial Tsunami'
Greenwich, Connecticut is a rich enclave of hedge fund managers- and thus is feeling the pain of the current financial crisis like a ton of bricks. Ned Lamont, a Greenwich resident who ran for Senate in 2006, says, 'This is our Katrina.'
Bake Sale Revitalization
Elvira's Cakes is a home business that outgrew the kitchen and settled into Kansas City's ailing downtown. The city is looking to small business people like Elvira to breathe new life into Kansas City's struggling districts.
Higher Gas Tax Or Driving Restrictions? Bejing Tackles Pollution
Implementing auto regulations and restrictions or raising the gas tax is the debate amongst the public as to how to lower air pollution from the growing car population. However, getting older cars off the road may be the most effective.
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.
