The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
The Rise of the 'House Cow'
With the price of food climbing, some families in the U.K. are taking to keeping small Dexter cows.
Olympic Games Not Performing For Beijing Businesses
The economic boost expected from Olympics-related tourism has fallen way short of predictions in Beijing. Many business people blame the government's stringent visa-granting policies.
Church's Development Arm Under Fire in Harlem
A powerful Harlem church that has expanded its reach into local real estate development is coming under fire from locals who say their projects are damaging Harlem's small-town character and encouraging gentrification.
Sprawlfighting in San Jose
San José, California, after decades of sprawl that left the region one of the least-dense cities in the state, is on track to densify their underused areas. As one planner put it, "The decision was, let's not build out anymore, let's build up."
City Tries To Curb 'Spite Landscaping'
A city in the midst of a revitalization effort has targeted landscape designs allegedly aimed at spiting the neighbors.
The Spread of Ciclovia
Temporary street closures for pedestrian use -- an idea that spawned in Bogota, Colombia -- are occurring in cities all over the world. The trend is expected to continue.
Electronic Signs May Need Different Rules
Officials in Abilene, Texas, are trying to pass an electronic sign ordinance "proactively" but are facing great resistance, as has been the case for other cities.
Planning for Avalanches
Technologie Alpine de Sécurité creates gas-powered avalanche control systems. The blog Pruned shows pictures of the system installed at Val Thorens, France.
We Are Where We Live
Jeff Speck, author of <em>Suburban Nation</em>, spoke recently at a conference in Winnepeg. 'Just as we have come to recognize that 'we are what we eat', there is a growing belief that 'we are where we live,' says Speck.
Are Eco-Restrictive HOA Rules Being Hung Out to Dry?
Homeowner Associations have traditionally frowned on eco-friendly additions such as clotheslines. Recent legal challenges may change the rules.
China Says Car Bans Will Stop After Olympics
Despite improved air quality, China says it has no plans to continue the car control measures it has enacted during the Olympics to clean the city's air.
Stymied by City, Community Installs Own Speed Bumps
Van Nguyen and six neighbors in the NewHolly neighborhood of Seattle weren't satisfied with the city's lack of action on the cars speeding through their community- so they installed speedbumps themselves.
Unlikely Partners Oppose L.A. Transit Funding Plan
In an unlikely collaboration, tax payers and the Los Angeles Bus Riders Union have joined in opposition to a proposal that would raise L.A. County sales tax a half-cent to provide funding for public transit.
All Roads Lead to Rome: The Theme Park
Faced with a significant decline in tourism, Rome's mayor dreams of building a theme park right next to the real thing depicting life in ancient Rome.
BLOG POST
Rewiring America's 'Energy Crisis'
<p class="MsoNormal"> In a much discussed speech, ‘<a href="http://www.wecansolveit.org/pages/al_gore_a_generational_challenge_to_repower_america/">A Generational Challenge to Repower America</a>,’ Al Gore challenged America to hit the off-switch on foreign oil and re-power itself with home-grown carbon-free energy– namely wind, solar and geothermal. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> The predicted outcome Gore said would be a bold, energy independent nation ready to lead the world into the 21<sup>st</sup> century. However, such an effort, he asserted, would require “commitment to changing not just light bulbs, but laws. And Laws will only change with leadership.” <span> </span><span> </span> </p>
Cities in a State of Rapid Decay
While the mortgage crisis has hit hard in California and other prosperous regions, the cities that are sliding fastest into decline are still in the Rust Belt, with disappearing populations and bleak job prospects.
Housing Crash Forgot Dallas
In this segment from <em>NPR</em>, a Dallas residential realtor talks about how his city -- where the average price has actually gone up about 2% over the last year -- has bucked the national downward housing trend.
Is Calgary Losing its 'Municipal Mind'?
Growing rapidly and becoming an ever more expensive place to live, Calgary -- Alberta's oilpatch city -- is in danger of "losing its heart" writes Peter Menzies.
Everything's Coming Up Streetcars
Ohio's seeing streetcars, with new systems planned for Columbus and Cincinnati.
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
