The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

<p>Rising sea levels caused by global climate change are predicted to swallow the country of Bangladesh by the end of the century.</p>

June 21 - Belfast Telegraph

<p>The streetcar returns to New Orleans' St. Charles Ave., a step forward in the long struggle to get the city's transit back on it's feet after Katrina.</p>

June 21 - The Associated Press

<p>This commentary from the <em>Los Angeles Times</em> calls for creation of a central park for the city, made by putting a "cap" over a section of freeway.</p>

June 21 - The Los Angeles Times

<p>Optical illusions painted on the streets of Philadelphia are being tested out as a method for getting drivers to slow down.</p>

June 21 - Telegraph

Metropolis Magazine talks with bus rapid transit pioneer Jaime Lerner about the gradual global spread of his successful ideas from Curitiba.

June 21 - Metropolis Magazine

<p>Chrysler's "Let's Refuel America" campaign promises to subsidize your gas as if you were paying $2.99 a gallon if you buy one of their large vehicles. Cartoonist Ruben Bolling spoofs the thinking behind the program in this cartoon.</p>

June 20 - Salon.com

<p>A struggle in Newburyport, Mass., poses an interesting question- should residential neighborhoods have handicapped street parking for residents who need it?</p>

June 20 - The Daily News of Newburyport

<p>Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue has surprised many in the state by reversing his position and pledging full support for commuter rail in metropolitan Atlanta.</p>

June 20 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

<p>Preservationists are working to save numerous art deco architectural landmarks in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A boom began at the height of the oil boom and returned after modernism fell out of style.</p>

June 20 - Preservation

<p>A five-line extension of Houston's light rail system was just approved by the city council.</p>

June 20 - The Houston Chronicle

<p>Empty retail space increased dramatically over the last six months, according to data compiled by commercial real estate brokers and investment advisors.</p>

June 20 - Home Town Advantage Bulletin

<p>An Italian city planner visits San Diego to analyze sprawl-fighting techniques first-hand.</p>

June 20 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

<p>Dwell talks with a prolific Hong Kong architect about his city and its development.</p>

June 20 - Dwell

<p>This film from <em>Streetsblog</em> looks at a community effort in Portland to remove pavement from unused parking lots.</p>

June 20 - Streetsblog L.A.

<p>Monocle Magazine looks worldwide for the most livable cities.</p>

June 20 - Monocle Magazine

BLOG POST

<p> Adaptation is a way of life. But we humans have been building our habitats and cities in pursuit of permanence. This is an unreachable goal. Making our cities and communities and lifestyles adapt to outside influences is typically an afterthought. We do tend to react, and we often react very effectively. But solving problems before they happen has never been a strong suit when it comes to urban development. This is especially true with regard to our impacts on the environment. A recent and bizarre example illustrates this point. </p>

June 19 - Nate Berg

<p>Today is "Dump the Pump" Day, an annual event created by the American Public Transportation Association to bring awareness to the benefits of public transit. Transit agencies across the country are offering free rides, including many in Florida.</p>

June 19 - Tim Halbur

<p>Bay Area tech companies are increasingly opening offices in downtown San Francisco, a significant change from the development pattern of the last ten years.</p>

June 19 - BusinessWeek

<p>A new AIA report shows that new homes under construction are getting smaller in response to market forces.</p>

June 19 - AIArchitect

<p>In what is almost a real-life caricature of the battle of the single homeowner against the huge corporation, Edith Macefield refused to sell her home to a developer planning a major retail outlet, who then built around. This week Ms. Macefield died.</p>

June 19 - The Seattle Times