The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Desalination Plant Approved in California

A large water desalination plant has been approved in Southern California, where water supplies are historically low and the population is high.

August 11 - MSNBC

Honolulu Rail Moves Closer to Ballot

Officials in Honolulu recently approved a measure that will allow voters to decide whether to build a long-planned $4 billion rail system.

August 11 - Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Colleges Discouraging Cars

Colleges across the country are trying new incentive programs to get students to leave their cars behind when school starts.

August 11 - USA Today

A Struggle Between Security and Civil Rights at Beijing's Olympics

Security is a major concern during large public events like the Olympics. The Chinese government is making preparations for a safe event, but could they go too far?

August 11 - Buildings Magazine

Many Cities Still Struggling

<em>Forbes</em> looks at the fastest dying American cities.

August 11 - Forbes

FEATURE

The Housing Bubble: The Planner's Role and Lessons Learned

August 11 - Hugh Pavletich

Muslim Count Controversial

A new census of Muslim congregations is reviving controversies over how many Muslims are in the U.S., how they are counted and why it matters.

August 11 - USA Today

Pixar Director Building Fake Treehouse Home

Peter Docter, director of the animated film 'Monsters Inc.', has submitted plans to build a series of artificial tree houses on his land in Lafayette, CA to be his family's home. The Planning Commission is currently considering the project.

August 10 - San Jose Mercury News

Could Downtown L.A. Transform From Parking Lot to Park?

A handful of EDAW interns have created an ambitious plan for a new park to connect L.A.'s disconnected downtown with lush greenery.

August 10 - The Architect's Newspaper

'Invisible Streetlights' Could Provide Energy & Aesthetic Benefits

Solar sculptures light up at night to take the place of energy-intensive streetlights.

August 10 - Ecogeek.org

Edible Walls Growing in L.A.

August 10 - The Tribune

Defender of Trees Fired

<p>Tom Coffin is tasked with fining those who remove Atlanta trees without a proper permit, but last week he was fired, allegedly for complaining about the “almost total lack of enforcement” by other arborists.</p>

August 10 - The New York Times

Renzo Piano Thumbs Nose at LEED

The new NY Times Building designed by Renzo Piano snubbed LEED certification to find a different path to sustainability. Writer William Bostwick reflects on the LEED checklist and why the system is broken.

August 9 - GOOD Magazine

Budapest Railroad Run By 10 Yr. Olds

Originally a Stalinist program called 'Young Pioneers', the tradition of the Children's Railway is being revived in Budapest.

August 9 - Wall St. Journal

Church Sues to Demolish Historic Church Building

The Third Church of Christ, Scientist in Washington, D.C., has filed suit against the city to remove the landmark designation on their building, which limits what can be done to alter the site -- or demolish it completely, which is the church's hope.

August 9 - Washington Business Journal