The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Square Roots

<p>As part of a special issue on cities, the Canadian magazine <em>The Walrus</em> examines the little-known histories of famous public squares around the world.</p>

December 20 - The Walrus

Second Life Used To Solve Real World Engineering Challenges

<p>A UC Irvine professor and a transportation firm are teaming up to use the online virtual world Second Life to test real world public transit ideas.</p>

December 20 - O.C. Register

Housing The Most Vulnerable

<p>Homeless advocates are working in Los Angeles to identify the city's most vulnerable homeless people on Skid Row. With this list the county intends to take a piecemeal approach to housing the city's homeless.</p>

December 20 - NPR

A Look At Redevelopment With and Without Eminent Domain

<p>In this video from <em>Reason</em>, comedian Drew Carey looks at the use of eminent domain in Los Angeles and compares it with the efforts of nearby Anaheim to work with developers and avoid seizing land through eminent domain.</p>

December 20 - Reason

More Fast Food Options Make Residents Fatter

<p>The higher the concentration of fast food restaurants in a city, the fatter its residents, according to a recent study from the University of Alberta.</p>

December 20 - The Vancouver Sun


What Does An Urban Planner Do?

<p>This follow-up article from <em>U.S. News and World Report</em> gives a basic rundown of what an urban planner does on a typical day at work.</p>

December 20 - U.S. News & World Report

What Is An Urban Planner?

<p>This "executive summary" from <em>U.S. News and World Report</em> describes what it means to be an urban planner -- named one of the 31 best careers.</p>

December 20 - U.S. News & World Report


City Noise Posing Health Threat

<p>Ho Chi Minh City is one of the loudest cities in the world. It's excessive noise is being targeted by the World Health Organization as a serious threat to physical and mental health.</p>

December 20 - Thahn Nien

Sacramento's Big Opportunity Needs A Cautious Approach

<p>Plans are moving forward to redevelop a massive railyard site near downtown Sacramento. It could be a major boon for the city, but as <em>California Planning and Development Report</em>'s Paul Shigley writes, the city should moved ahead cautiously.</p>

December 20 - California Planning & Development Report

Altering New York's Congestion Pricing Plan Could Make Transit Free

<p>According to a privately-commissioned study, doubling the proposed New York congestion fee charged to drivers would generate enough money to replace all proceeds derived form transit fares in the city, making fares unnecessary.</p>

December 20 - Streetsblog

Slum Living In Tijuana

<p>Architect Teddy Cruz takes a drive through the convoluted and complex city of Tijuana in this article from <em>The Next American City</em>.</p>

December 19 - The Next American City

Global Cities Go Green

<p>Cities around the globe are making a variety of green efforts, offering models for cities looking to capitalize on th benefits of environmental planning.</p>

December 19 - Environmental News Network

L.A. Considers Rail Turnstiles

<p>As one of the only major U.S. cities that has no turnstiles at its rail stations, Los Angeles is feeling the pinch of riders who don't pay. But now, local officials are trying to get turnstiles installed.</p>

December 19 - NPR

Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalized For Renters, Owners and Retailers

<p>The non-profit neighborhood housing group Hope Community has renovated ten houses, built 126 affordable rental units, and has two mixed income projects under way in one depressed and crime-ridden Minneapolis block.</p>

December 19 - The New York Times

New Buses Help, But Are Only First Step

<p>New buses being added to Victoria, British Columbia's transit fleet are being warmly welcomed, but this editorial argues much more needs to be done to deal with the area's increasing congestion and mobility issues.</p>

December 19 - Times Colonist

Lawsuit Settlement May Bankrupt City

<p>After denying plans for a subdivision, the city of Half Moon Bay, California, was sued. The city lost and now must pay a settlement of nearly $40 million -- more than three times the city's annual budget. Many worry the city may have to fold.</p>

December 19 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Greening Levittown

<p>County officials in New York are looking to transform Levittown -- often called the nation's first suburb -- into the nation's first green suburb.</p>

December 19 - The New York Times

Boise Within Air Quality Standards... For Now

<p>Idaho's Treasure Valley has garnered 150 days of air quality alerts in 2007, but is still considered safe by federal air quality standards. With further growth expected, many are concerned that air quality will not be so safe next year.</p>

December 19 - The Idaho Statesman

What's Next For New Orleans Demolition Sites?

<p>In this commentary from <em>Bloomberg</em>, James S. Russell looks as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's threat to withdraw hundreds of millions of dollars worth of housing vouchers from New Orleans and the future of the city.</p>

December 19 - Bloomberg

Heathrow's PRT System On Track For Operation

A personal rapid transit (PRT) system is currently under construction as part of the renovation of London's Heathrow airport. The system is on track to begin operations within two years.

December 19 - BBC

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