The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Rural U.S. Losing Out on Innovation

Alex Steffen of WorldChanging observes the growing divide in innovation between urban and rural America.

September 28 - WorldChanging

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Searching for Subversion in Boston

<div> </div> <div> I&#39;ve always wanted, but never quite had the cred, to go to Burning Man. Instead, I went to this year&#39;s rendition of <a href="http://www.parkingday.org/" target="_blank">National Park(ing) Day</a> in the hopes that it would provide a reasonable, if diminuative, substitute in temporary parks across the country. Creative minds can do a lot with 180 square feet, especially when there are straight-laced passers-by to shock and paradigms to subvert. <br /> </div>

September 28 - Josh Stephens

Enough With the Planning, it's Time for Some Doing

This column from the <em>Globe and Mail</em> expresses some common frustrations with a slow-moving regional transportation plan.

September 28 - Globe and Mail

Genius Grant for Urban Farmer

Will Allen began Growing Power, an urban farming non-profit, in an ailing Milwaukee neighborhood in 1993. He has since spread the gospel of urban farming throughout the world, and earned a MacArthur Genius grant for his efforts.

September 28 - New York Times

Main Street Thriving in Utah

Midvale used to be the heart of Utah's mining industry. After an economic slump, downtown Midvale has come back thanks to small businesses and a new influx of immigrants.

September 28 - The Salt Lake Tribune


Complete Streets Bill Moving Forward in California

The California legislature has approved a "complete streets" bill to help make city streets more accessible and livable. The bill is awaiting approval from the governor.

September 28 - Daily News

Greenwich Facing 'Financial Tsunami'

Greenwich, Connecticut is a rich enclave of hedge fund managers- and thus is feeling the pain of the current financial crisis like a ton of bricks. Ned Lamont, a Greenwich resident who ran for Senate in 2006, says, 'This is our Katrina.'

September 27 - The Wall St. Journal


Bake Sale Revitalization

Elvira's Cakes is a home business that outgrew the kitchen and settled into Kansas City's ailing downtown. The city is looking to small business people like Elvira to breathe new life into Kansas City's struggling districts.

September 27 - The Kansas City Star

Higher Gas Tax Or Driving Restrictions? Bejing Tackles Pollution

Implementing auto regulations and restrictions or raising the gas tax is the debate amongst the public as to how to lower air pollution from the growing car population. However, getting older cars off the road may be the most effective.

September 27 - The Wall Street Journal

History Trumps Art on San Francisco Waterfront

Over the past few years, San Francisco's waterfront has become home to art pieces like an enormous, cartoony bow and arrow and a giant spider. Labor historians have a different idea: A five-story crane built in the early 1970s for loading coconuts.

September 27 - San Francisco Chronicle

Planning an 'Eco-City'

This piece from <em>Scientific American</em> looks at plans for three "eco-cities".

September 27 - Scientific American

Budget Cuts? Fire Your Planning Director

Benzie County, Michigan has canned their planning director in the name of budget cuts. County Commissioner Mary Pitcher said, "I believe that we can get considerably more bang for the buck if we contract for services."

September 26 - Michigan Land Institute

Main Street and the Bailout

Bank of America CEO Kenneth D. Lewis presents the case for Secretary Paulson's proposed financial rescue package, and why Main Street needs it.

September 26 - The Wall St. Journal

Suburbia and Pig Farms: It Stinks

The suburbs of Tewksbury, MA, a quaint New England town, have developed uncomfortably close to one of the largest pig farms in the state.

September 26 - Boston Globe

Half-a-Penny for Your Transit?

After being signed by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a half-cent sales tax increase will appear on the November ballot in Los Angeles County, where it would create a fund for public transit projects.

September 26 - Los Angeles Times

A Tale of Two Towns, And What Makes Them 'Authentic'

Rick Cole, city manager of Azusa and now Ventura, reflects on what 'authenticity' really means for towns struggling to balance identity with new development.

September 26 - newgeography

Industrial Land Eyed For Green Future in L.A.

Officials in Los Angeles are hoping to turn a former brownfield site into the centerpiece of a new downtown green industrial district.

September 26 - Los Angeles Times

Montreal's Bike Sharing Scheme Biggest in North America

Montreal, Quebec is launching a bike sharing service that will eventually see over 2,000 bikes available at 300 stations across the city.

September 26 - Globe and Mail

LNG Terminal Threatens Status of World Heritage Site

The government of Quebec's approval of a massive Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility near Quebec City may threaten the city's status as a World Heritage site.

September 26 - Globe and Mail

Cities Embracing Music Festivals

The Austin City Limits music festival, held at the city's major public park, has inspired other cities to invite festivals to their parks, despite the inherent challenges.

September 26 - Austin American-Statesman

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