The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Friday Funny: SeXXXercise Thwarted
The ACLU is helping a woman in Pittsburgh sue the city for violating her right of free expression. The city denied her occupancy permit to open a pole-dancing studio, teaching classes in "power lap dance" and "seXXXercise".
Friday Funny: The $1.01 Store?
The 99 Cents Only chain is facing a dilemma- with inflation and rising food costs, they're running out of things they can sell for only 99 cents.
'Sustainability Toolbar' Released for Google Sketchup
Integrated Environmental Solutions is releasing a free plug-in for Google's SketchUp software that allows users to run sustainability performance simulations.
Calculating Your 'Water Footprint'
Your morning cup of joe - all things considered - takes 140 liters of water to make. A new study reveals the true cost in water usage for crops and cultures.
Railroads Gaining Ground
Rail freight providers are ramping up as the cost of transporting a shipping container by truck becomes prohibitive.
Not In My Back... Balcony?
Despite it's inherent legality, lit signage atop a high-rise condominium in downtown Miami is causing many a neighbor to complain.
Stadiums Don't Pay
InTransition Magazine talks to Rick Eckstein, author of <em>Public Dollars, Private Stadiums: The Battle over Building Sports Stadiums</em> about why stadiums fail to fulfill their promises of economic revitalization.
Room for Public Art in Louisville?
In 2006, the city of Louisville set up a wall where graffiti artists were allowed to paint. But when the art started offending neighbors and officials, the wall was shut down. This article wonders if there's room for more public art in Louisville.
New Port Plans Moving Forward in Mexico
Mexico is moving forward with plans to construct a large international shipping port in Baja California -- an attempt to rival the Los Angeles-Long Beach port powerhouse.
Future Unknown For Famous But Damaged Tomb
The Tomb of the Unknowns, a 70-year-old marble monument in Arlington National Cemetery, is showing its age. With cracks and damage, some are calling on officials to make repairs, but others say it's time for a new tomb.
As Infrastructure Crumbles, Investors See Opportunity
Burned in so many different markets, private investors are now looking at city infrastructure as a safe bet.
BLOG POST
Culs-de-Sac and Grids: A Middle Ground (Or Two, Or Three)
<p> Smart growth supporters tend to prefer grid systems to cul-de-sacs, for excellent reasons. A proliferation of cul-de-sacs artificially lengthens walking distances: if streets don’t connect to each other, you might have to walk a mile to go just a few hundred feet. In addition, cul-de-sacs increase traffic congestion by dumping most vehicular traffic on a few major streets. And because biking is less safe on busy, high-traffic streets, bikers benefit from a grid system as well. </p>
Lasers May Make Nuclear Power More Efficient (and Bombs Easier to Make)
G.E. is currently experimenting with a new lased-based technology that could make nuclear enrichment much easier. This would be a boon to nuclear power, but would also make nuclear-based weapons easier to make.
Condo Towers Force Out Remaining Industries in NYC
A new round of zoning changes in NYC could mean the loss of over 20% of industrial-zoned land in the city.
L.A. Taco Trucks Can Park Again - For Now
An ordinance passed in L.A. that limited the amount of time taco trucks could be parked in one location has been overturned. However, many expect it to come back in a different form.
Should Redevelopment Answer To Taxpayers?
Tax watchdogs in Idaho are challenging the state's redevelopment agencies, and opened up the question: are they city departments, or not? And if they are, shouldn't their decisions follow the will of the voters?
Aztecs Were Early Urban Gardeners
Urban gardening is spreading to Mexico City, resurrecting an ancient history of growing produce in the city.
No Ceremony, Little Love for New Venice Canal Bridge
The first new bridge over Venice's Grand Canal in 70 years will open next month, but no no fanfare and without ceremony. Locals are calling off events to protest the bridge's many delays and cost overruns.
Figures Say Things Look Good, But Don't Account For Slumping Economy
New census figures have been released, showing a rise in median household income and more people with health insurance. But experts warn that the figures do not account for the recent slump in the economy.
A Look at Housing in South Africa
Posh gated communities are juxtaposed with shanty towns in South Africa, where a constitutional housing guarantee is seen by many as a far-off dream.
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