The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

New 'Burbs, New Suburbanism

Joel Kotkin asserts that "city sophisticates" praising downtown revivals and the New Urbanism must now admit that the suburbs are the center of attention in America and around the world.

June 29 - David Gest

Atlanta The Latest City To Consider Municipal Wi-Fi

Joining cities like Austin and Philadelphia that are implementing city-wide wireless networks, Atlanta is seeking partners to help provide on-demand access in a 132-square-mile area.

June 29 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Californians To Vote On Property Rights Initiative In November

"Kelo" comes to California on Nov. 7 when voters will consider the "Protect Our Homes" initiative. Having qualified for the ballot, the initiative may sharply restrict local government's ability to regulate land use, similar to Oregon's Measure 37.

June 29 - San Francisco Chronicle

Which Metro Areas Have The Strongest Housing Price Appreciation?

A summary look at why the housing affordability crisis continues to exist in major metro areas of the country.

June 29 - USA Today

Coal And America - Book Review Of 'Big Coal' By Jeff Goodell

Author Jeff Goodell writes of the price paid for the extraction and burning of coal, from mining accidents and blacklung disease affecting miners, to air pollution downwind of power plants, and finally, the global warming affecting the planet.

June 29 - The New York Times


Eminent Domain Backlashes 'Aren't Strong Enough'

"Community rights" do not exist, and since legislators and much of the public have "gone squishy" over individual property rights, more action is needed to restrict eminent domain powers, according to this op-ed.

June 29 - Reason Foundation

Geoengineering: Futuristic Solutions for Global Warming

Giant orbiting sunshades, floating plastic islands, and other "far-out" ideas for addressing global warming deserve a serious look, say some of the world's prominent scientists.

June 28 - The New York Times


Why Community Gardens Matter

Are community gardens the antidote to America's health and urban problems?

June 28 - Times Online

Urbanizing Suburbia In Wisconsin

Mixed use developments are moving into the suburbs of Milwaukee as developers see the demand for combined uses spreading out from the city's core.

June 28 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Looking For Retail Along Indy Waterfront

Developers in Indianapolis want to bring retail to its downtown canal, an area already busy with visitors and concentrated with housing. They're looking at San Antonio's River Walk for inspiration and advice.

June 28 - The Indianapolis Star

U.S. City Seeks Chinese Labor & Expertise To Rebuild After Katrina

Frustrated with slow progress, a Mississippi Gulf Coast city is considering importing hundreds or thousands of Chinese laborers and materials to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina

June 28 - The Los Angeles Times

Dubai Spends Billions To Become Major Global Metropolis

Petro-dollars are fueling the tiny emirate's ambitions to become one of the world's top commercial and tourist destinations. Experts wonder if Dubai's blazing growth is sustainable.

June 28 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Los Angeles Recruits 'Dense' Talent At AIA Convention

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's quest for "elegant density" brings him to the annual convention of the American Institute of Architects, where he emphasizes his commitment to high-quality urban design.

June 28 - The Planning Report

U.S. Supreme Court Enters Global Warming Debate

The case could be one of the most important environmental case heard by the court.

June 28 - The Los Angeles Times

Smart Growth Key To British Columbians' Health Advantage

BC has about half the obesity rate of the Northwest states, a one-third lower car-crash fatality rate, and its residents live an average of two years longer. Why?

June 28 - The Vancouver Sun

California Dreaming: Why The Golden State Still Lures Newcomers

Even with high real estate prices, traffic congestion, wildfires, and the possibility of a major earthquake, people from around the world and across the nation, continue to relocate to California. Why?

June 27 - Abhijeet Chavan

The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Bloggers

Northern California's Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is the subject of a wide variety of blogs, which chronicle the good, the bad, and the, well, ugly.

June 27 - The Contra Costa Times

UN Reports On Housing Policies Of Developing Countries

The report looks at the largest cities in developing countries and measures their growth and development. Cities such as Cairo have been praised for improvements to utilities, but criticized for not addressing the root of poverty in its slums.

June 27 - Mail & Guardian

Stockton Leaves Its Crime-Ridden Past Behind

Once rife with crime, Stockton is taking baby steps towards reducing the crime rate and attracting development to one of the Central Valley's burgeoning population centers.

June 27 - The Los Angeles Times

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