The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

<p>Vancouver has plans to spend nearly $3 billion on a 12-km stretch of subway. But a recent study shows that same amount of money could be used to create a tram system covering more than 175 km in the city.</p>

June 6 - The Tyee

<p>Years after it followed many others like it and closed its doors, a paper mill in upstate New York has come back to life, and brought its town back to life with it.</p>

June 6 - The New York Times

Many of famed landscape architect Lawrence Halprin's optimistic 1970s public spaces are being updated and reconsidered. Historic preservationists fight back, but supporters say, "It's a living, breathing space, not a museum."

June 6 - The Hook (Charlottesville, VA)

<p>The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has made final a decision that says much of the Los Angeles River is not navigable, and is therefore not a river. It will retain some Clean Water Act protection, but developing on its watershed may become easier.</p>

June 5 - The Los Angeles Times

<p>A peaceful suburb wanting to preserve its tranquility is pitted against a large rail company attempting to lessen freight congestion around Chicago by running its trains through it and other suburbs on an existing rail line it hopes to purchase.</p>

June 5 - Associated Press via Miami Herald

<p>One of the hosts of Mythbusters turns his eye on new ideas for energy sources, from grape juice to used tires.</p>

June 5 - Mother Jones

<p>Charlotte's light rail system has proven to be a major success in the city, spurring development and igniting the local economy. But as it expands, will the other communities it benefits join in the funding party?</p>

June 5 - Governing

<p>Washington, D.C. police decide to stop everyone entering a neighborhood that has seen 22 killings so far this year, including a recent triple homicide.</p>

June 5 - The Washington Post

<p>With gas prices as they are, does it make sense to ditch your SUV and buy a hybrid? Count on the Wall St. Journal to break it down a discussion of your return on investment.</p>

June 5 - Wall St. Journal

<p>This article from <em>The National</em> takes a tour of Abu Dhabi with architect and planner Riyad Albuhlaiga, who points out the best parts of the city -- and the parts that must be improved to make Abu Dhabi a truly great city.</p>

June 5 - The National

<p>A real estate developer in San Diego is turning activist, claiming a new residential development isn't working within the community guidelines. San Diego CityBeat suspects something else is happening here.</p>

June 5 - San Diego CityBEAT

<p>Fast Company highlights Chicago and London, their picks for U.S. and Global Cities of the Year, respectively. Whatever you think of the way such lists come together, these are interesting profiles of two vibrant municipalities.</p>

June 5 - Fast Company

<p>The historic lighthouse of Wellfleet, Massachusetts had mysteriously disappeared in 1925. Recently, an intrepid researcher uncovered its unlikely location.</p>

June 5 - Cape Cod Times

<p>Canton, Ohio residents and property owners who don't pay close enough attention to their lawns could face jail time. A new law would apply to repeat offenders and to lawns and weeds growing higher than eight inches.</p>

June 4 - Canton Repository

<p>Election Day provided a big boost for proponents of redevelopment in California. A statewide measure to restrict use of eminent domain lost badly, while voters in San Francisco and Napa County showed support for redevelopment projects.</p>

June 4 - California Planning & Development Report

<p>'The process is a runaway train,' says a city councilor, as plans move forward to build two residential towers on Baltimore's vanishing waterfront.</p>

June 4 - The Baltimore Sun

<p>What can leaders of a particularly hilly city do to encourage cycling? Well, they can try making it easier to ride a bike.</p>

June 4 - Citymayors.com

<p>William Fulton reflects on the lasting impact of L.A. developer Robert Maguire III on the city.</p>

June 4 - The Los Angeles Times

<p>A new technology called plasma gasification may make landfills a thing of the past, and make city garbage collection a profitable service.</p>

June 4 - Popular Science

<p>Though there is some resistance to change, many cities in North America have their sights on undoing the damage of the last 50 years of suburban development.</p>

June 4 - The Toronto Star