The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

<p>Former Russian president Vladimir Putin has announced his intentions to propose that Russia and the United States move forward with plans from the early 20th century to build a 64-mile tunnel between the two countries.</p>

April 1 - The Times (UK)

<p>Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is pushing plans to create "21st century socialist cities" -- communities based on public participation and cooperation -- juxtaposed next to fiercely capitalist developments in the rest of the country.</p>

April 1 - The Christian Science Monitor

<p>This article from <em>Next American City</em> looks at the new land use ideas that are guiding development in disaster-prone areas.</p>

April 1 - The Next American City

<p>As cities get serious about addressing climate change, a new city position -- the sustainability director -- is taking office all over the country.</p>

April 1 - Governing

<p>In an effort to highlight the disparity between generated revenue and received state funding, officials in Long Island have proposed a six-months study to weigh the benefits of seceding from New York to become the nation's 51st state.</p>

April 1 - Newsday

<p>As some baseball teams end their runs at Spring Training sites in Florida and Arizona, the two states clamor to attract teams and the economic benefits that follow.</p>

April 1 - Stateline

BLOG POST

<p> <span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: Verdana">I think many planners, in principle, agree that public involvement and grass-roots approaches to planning are necessary. The emphasis on the sheer numbers of people a plan &quot;includes&quot; is only one recent example of our profession’s emphasis on public involvement. But I think deep down, many colleagues see a distinctive split between <em><span style="font-family: Verdana">involving </span></em>the public and <em><span style="font-family: Verdana">empowering</span></em> them to implement. Involving is necessary and important to get any plan endorsed. But once that plan is complete, the public (residents, business owners, local stakeholders) is many times not regarded as an implementation partner except perhaps in roles of advocacy. </span>

March 31 - Scott Page

BLOG POST

<p class="MsoNormal"> Some transportation writers seem to believe that the interests of drivers and those of nondrivers are irreconcilable.<span> </span>For example, I just searched on google.com for websites using the terms “traffic calming” and “anti-automobile” together, and found over 60 such sites.<span> </span>But in fact, the interest of pedestrians in calmer, more walkable streets sometimes intersects (pun intended) with the interests of at least some motorists. </p>

March 31 - Michael Lewyn

BLOG POST

<p class="MsoNormal"> Completing any type of academic exit project in planning school requires more than writing a proposal and executing it. It also involves assembling and then managing a committee. “Managing up” involves working with your committee to achieve what is important to you while also doing what they see as essential. It is a vital part of the exit project and terrific preparation for later life. Those who don’t learn to manage up are doomed to frustration. They likely will spend extra time making revisions that could have been avoided. Even those who are skipping the thesis in favor of a group capstone workshop or studio will need some skills in managing faculty advisors. </p>

March 31 - Ann Forsyth

<p>Climate change will probably be pretty devastating for coastal Alaska, but it could also bring a boom to the area's economy, according to a recent report.</p>

March 31 - Juneau Empire

<p>Alphonso Jackson, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, announced his resignation Monday, effective April 18.</p>

March 31 - The Washington Post

<p>Redevelopment plans for Washington D.C. highlight the increased emphasis on public spaces.</p>

March 31 - The Washington Post

<p>This article looks at what could happen if Nevada's reservoir Lake Mead actually does dry up by 2021 as some scientists have predicted.</p>

March 31 - The Alternative Consumer, via Environmental News Network

<p>Officials in Los Angeles were successful in implementing high-density growth policies to curb sprawl. However, a disconnect between culture, transportation policy, and the real estate market may have disastrous consequences.</p>

March 31 - The Economist

<p>The Navajo Nation has announced plans to build wind turbines and generate electricity in the windy high mesas of Northern Arizona.</p>

March 31 - The Arizona Republic

<p>Alleys are a major part of the character of San Francisco, and many parts of the city are trying to embrace these unique aspects of the urban makeup.</p>

March 31 - The New York Times

<p>More people in British Columbia are responding to higher gas prices by ditching their cars and rising bikes, taking transit and walking, according to a recent survey.</p>

March 31 - The Vancouver Sun

BLOG POST

<p> China's economic boom has often been compared to the West's industrialization, only running in fast-foward. IT looks as if the decline of Western industrial regions may be playing out in the China on the same accelerated time frame. BusinessWeek Asia is reporting on "<a href="http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_14/b4078078846220.htm?link_position=link1">China's Factory Blues</a>" this week on how a perfect storm of recent developments - from the decline in the US housing market to soaring commodity prices and new labor regulations - is shuttering factories in the Peal River Delta at an alarming rate. </p>

March 31 - Anthony Townsend

<p>The federal government has issued an updated strategy plan for responding to natural and man-made disasters.</p>

March 31 - Washington Technology

<p>The blog post features a list of the top five densest cities in America, and looks at the conditions that have made them that way.</p>

March 31 - Environmental Graffiti