The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Innovating Southern California's Goods Movement System

Former California governors, Jerry Brown, George Deukmejian, Pete Wilson and Gray Davis team up to propose a better system for handling the environmental impacts of increased trade in Southern California's ports.

December 21 - The Los Angeles Times

Preservation The Nation's Last Shaker Community

Final four members of America's only populated Shaker village, in rural Maine, agree to a preservation plan to protect the enclave from subdivisions.

December 21 - The Christian Science Monitor

Five Tsunami Memorial Designs Selected

The Tsunami Memorial committee selects five designs for the memorial short list.

December 20 - The Nation (Thailand)

20 Energy Performance Simulations Compared

A new report compares the features and capabilities of 20 energy performance simulation programs.

December 20 - Simulation Research Group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Boise River Greenbelt Expansion Envisioned

The acclaimed Boise River Greenbelt will connect parks, downtown, neighborhoods and surrounding cities. Greenbelt advocates plan for exapansion of popular recreation amentities.

December 20 - The Idaho Statesman


The New Field Of 'Road Ecology'

In road ecology, transportation engineers and biologists cooperate on projects so fewer animals are struck by cars.

December 20 - The Christian Science Monitor

CA Redevelopment Head Weighs in on Kelo

Law, public perception, and public benefit diverge in the wake of the Kelo decision. John Shirey attempts to explain what Kelo does -- and does not -- mean for redevelopment and its use of eminent domain.

December 20 - The Planning Report


First 'Smog Fee' On New Development

San Joaquin Valley, CA, air quality officials may become the first in the nation to force builders to pay air pollution fees for new development.

December 20 - The Los Angeles Times

Young Developers Give Back To Their Community

Young real estate developers contribute expertise and skills to develop affordable housing for disabled women.

December 20 - The Boston Globe

NYC Transit System Shut Down By Strike

More than 30,000 New York City transit workers go on strike early Tuesday, shutting down nation's largest public transit system.

December 20 - CNN

Boise's Mixed-Use Downtown is Boomers' Field of Dreams

In this Idaho college town, they can't build downtown condos for the mature market fast enough.

December 20 - The Idaho Statesman

BLOG POST

Top 8 Sins For RFPs

Working at <a href="http://www.urbaninsight.com">Urban Insight</a>, I see about 10-20 RFPs for various projects each month. We have to evaluate the cost/benefit of deciding to respond to any one of these RFPs, and so the RFPs are evaluated by us much the way that our proposal would be evaluated by an organization or agency. <br /> <br /> While some RFPs are outstanding, and clearly describe the project, evaluation, and process, others are, well, downright embarrassing, or contain clauses and provisions that leave you scratching your head.

December 20 - Chris Steins

When 4,000 Homes Close In On A Canyon Lifestyle

What happens when a developer is approved to build 4,000 homes in the midst of a rural retreat? It's a recurring question in Southern California.

December 20 - The Los Angeles Times

New Public Square Brings Life Back to Downtown Detroit

Detroit's new public square, Campus Martius, has brought life back to an infamously moribund downtown.

December 19 - Making Places Newsletter

Mixed-use Projects To Reshape Downtown Riverside, CA

Mixed use comes to downtown Riverside (CA), with several housing, office and commercial projects scheduled to break ground in 2006.

December 19 - Riverside Press-Enterprise

Protest Over Development in Rural China Turns Deadly

The fatal rioting over a proposed coal plant shows that rural residents who are bearing the environmental and social costs of China's hyper-development may be running out of patience.

December 19 - The New York Times

A Big Wave Of Mini-hydro Projects

Interest revives in hydropower on a small scale, sparked by the new energy bill and high fuel costs.

December 19 - The Christian Science Monitor

'Mall Backlash' A Growing Trend

Old-style downtowns benefit from comsumers' "mall overload".

December 19 - The Cincinnati Enquirer

Why Zoning Increases House Prices

With just six percent of US land developed, zoning laws should reflect community needs, writes Samuel R. Staley.

December 19 - Reason Foundation

Residents Dislike Tourism Emphasis Of Gulf Coast Rebuilding

While politicians are leaning to New Urbanism for Gulf Coast rebuilding, residents are not so sure.

December 19 - Abhijeet Chavan

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