The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Miami May Ease Downtown Affordable Housing Requirements

<p>Struggling to meet its mandate that requires 15 percent of new units downtown to be affordable, the Miami Downtown Development Authority is asking officials to change the rules.</p>

December 15 - Miami Today

Taking Homes For Parking? Think Again!

<p>A back door plan to use eminent domain to provide additional parking for a main street shopping district creates outrage in a Chicago area community.</p>

December 15 - The Chicago Tribune

Of Skybridges And Sidewalks

<p>A battle is brewing in Salt Lake City over a proposed skybridge over Main street that would link two shopping centers near Temple Square.</p>

December 15 - Christian Madera

Group Makes Plans For Walkable Minneapolis

<p>A newly formed non-profit group is focusing on developing a network of pedestrian-friendly routes in downtown.</p>

December 15 - Downtown Journal

Rewriting Philadelphia's Zoning Code

<p>With the oldest zoning laws of any major city in the U.S., it's time to retool the rules that govern Philadelphia's growth, argues a recent editorial.</p>

December 15 - The Philadelphia Inquirer


The Debate Over City Planning In Toronto

<p>With the city's planning and zoning rules outdated and elected officials often catering to the interests of developers or NIMBYs, many decry Toronto's "let's-make-a-deal" planning.</p>

December 14 - The Toronto Star

New York Is Getting Too Big

<p>The city's strained infrastructure can't handle the forecasted growth, say experts. To remain globally competitive, the city is faced with the challenge of major upgrades.</p>

December 14 - CNN.com


More Cities Taking Local Action On Climate Change

<p>In spite -- or because -- of federal inaction on climate change, dozens of cities and states are taking their own actions on reducing greenhouse gases.</p>

December 14 - The Los Angeles Times

Designing The City For The 22nd Century

<p>A design competition asks planners and architects in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago to reimagine their cities for the future.</p>

December 14 - History Channel

MARTA Ridership Up In Atlanta?

<p>Though the numbers show that ridership on MARTA's rail service is up 10 percent, the increase could only be a result of new fare gates that have curbed turnstile-jumping.</p>

December 14 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Boutique Cities Aren't The Problem

<p>Responding to Joel Kotkin's critique of cities who woo "creative class" over the middle class, Jerold Kayden, director of urban planning at Harvard Graduate School of Design, argues that revitalizing cities isn't as simple as copying sunbelt cities.</p>

December 14 - Christian Madera

An Air Quality Version Of An Economic Enterprise Zone?

<p>In a bold, creative attempt to bring more federal and state funds to solve the air pollution problem in California's Central Valley, local leaders hope to declare the region an "air quality empowerment zone".</p>

December 14 - The Sacramento Bee

Milwaukee Launches Innovative Economic Development Website

<p>The new site, the latest in a growing number of online tools used to cultivate investment, allows companies to research demographics, find vacant parcels, and identify business assistance programs.</p>

December 14 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Home Ownership Within Reach Of More Single Women

<p>In New York and across the country, the number of single women buying houses and condominiums is on the rise.</p>

December 14 - The New York Times

Does Paying For Carbon Neutrality Really Work?

<p>As the carbon neutrality market grows, some experts wonder if the non-regulated practice is having any real effect on the environment.</p>

December 14 - Portland Sunday Telegram

Bringing The 'Community' Into The Community Benefits Agreement Process

<p>In a test case that could serve as an organizing model for other communities, the non-profit West Harlem Local Development Corporation has been created specifically to negotiate with Columbia University as it plans a major campus expansion.</p>

December 13 - City Limits

Sprawl Doesn't Decrease Social Interaction

<p>Critics of sprawl argue that sprawling, low-density development weakens social capital and the level of social interaction. A new working paper finds that these criticisms are unfounded, and in fact, the reverse is true.</p>

December 13 - UCI School of Social Sciences

A&P, Wal-Mart, And The American Consumer Identity

<p>Sixty years ago, chains like A&amp;P and Woolworth transformed American citizens into consumers. Shedding this consumer identity is key to turning back the big-box tide, says Stacy Mitchell, the author of a recent book on mega-retailers.</p>

December 13 - AlterNet

New York City Plans For More Growth, Success

<p>With a new study projecting major future growth, New York City Mayor Bloomberg is set to unveil a major planning initiative with an emphasis on sustainability.</p>

December 13 - The Wall Street Journal

Avoiding The 'Local Trap'

<p>With "localism" being trumpeted by all sides of the political spectrum, maybe it's time to ask if local needs are better served by nation states, writes Doug Saunders.</p>

December 13 - The Globe & Mail

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