The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

The Future of the Human Relationship with the City

A recent episode of the Australian radio program <em>Future Tense</em> examines how humans interact with the city and how it will likely change in the future.

August 17 - Future Tense

The Problem With Coal

In his new book,<em> Big Coal: The Dirty Secret Behind America’s Energy Future,</em> author Jeff Goodell uncovers the damage the coal industry has done to America's landscape.

August 17 - Great Lakes Bulletin News Service

Homeless Shelters Go Unregulated

In Louisville, Kentucky, urban planning professor John Gilderbloom decries the lack of regulations on homeless shelters in the area.

August 17 - Courier-Journal

A Survey of American Drinking Fountains

Public drinking fountains are a useful if underappreciated urban amenity. <em>The New York Times</em> asked eight illustrators around the U.S. to watch one fountain in their cities and report back.

August 17 - The New York Times


Recovery Through Self-Discovery

Some economists are starting to believe that the U.S. is on its way to economic recovery. But recovery from what, asks William Shutkin in this piece. He suggests the recovery should really be a discovery of better ways of developing and using land.

August 16 - Citiwire

Highway Funding an Endless Source for Appalachian States

A seemingly never-ending incentive program for Appalachian states provides $4 dollars for every $1 dollar spent by the state on interstate highways.

August 16 - Next American City


Finding a Home for California's Renewable Energy Transmission Lines

A new report from an interdisciplinary group of officials and advocates outlines where new energy transmission lines are needed in California, where they should be sited, and how best the state can transition to a renewable energy future.

August 16 - San Francisco Chronicle

Expanding the El: $2 Billion for Chicago's Elevated Rail

On Weds., the Chicago Transit Authority approved plans to create three new rapid-transit extensions to the classic system.

August 16 - the transport politic

Utah Edges Closer to First BRT System

Officials in Utah have approved plans for a bus rapid transit system between Provo and Orem, which will be the state's first BRT system.

August 16 - Deseret News

The Top 30 Housing Markets in America

According to some real estate data, there are more than 30 housing markets in the U.S. that are seeing increases in housing prices. Topping the list is Boulder, Colorado.

August 15 - Business Week

Eight Cities on the Edge

WebUrbanist features photographs of abandoned spaces in cities that are in decline, from the ramshackle homes of Detroit to the sinking piazzas of Venice.

August 15 - WebUrbanist

As World Expo Host, Shanghai Aims for Bigger Splash Than Beijing

As the host of the 2010 World Expo, Shanghai is sparing no expense. Civic investment and projects are expected to eclipse those of Beijing when it hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics.

August 15 - The New York Times

Home on the Runway

More than 100 trailers and RVs sit in a parking lot at Los Angeles International Airport, creating an odd community of airline pilots and mechanics.

August 15 - Los Angeles Times

Mapping Software That Isn't Just Google Maps Plus

MIT researcher Jeffrey Warren has just released the latest version of Cartagen, a software platform for interactive mapping. Julia Galef takes a look.

August 15 - Metropolis Magazine

BLOG POST

Another bold move in Portland

<p> <img src="http://postcarbon.org/files/highrise-turbines3_300h.jpg" alt="Wind turbines atop Portland high-rise." hspace="5" vspace="5" align="right" />When we moved the <a href="http://www.postcarboncities.net">Post Carbon Cities</a> office to downtown Portland I was thrilled to get a bird&#39;s-eye view of the downtown streetcar, the first new streetcar line built in the US since World War II. This morning I got a new history-making treat out my window: <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/08/innovative_wind_turbines_to_to.html">four wind turbines</a> mounted yesterday on a new high-rise, among the first such urban wind projects in the country. </p>

August 14 - Daniel Lerch

BART Employees On Strike This Monday

The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors voted yesterday to enforce a one-year contract for the unionized transit workers- a contract the workers had rejected earlier in the week. BART employees plan to walk off the job Monday morning.

August 14 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Friday Funny: 3 Out Of 4 Words Mispelled on Highway Sign

A sign pointing southbound travelers onto Business Highway 51 in Rothschild and Schofield bears an incorrect spelling for every word except "exit."

August 14 - Wausau Daily Herald

Losing Business Because of Pay Parking? Charge More!

Parking guru Don Shoup was invited to speak in Santa Rosa as an expert on parking policies. Though the city is the only one in Sonoma County to charge for parking (to the chagrin of downtown merchants), it is considering building a 545-space garage.

August 14 - The Press Democrat

Entering a Strange New World of Public Participation

Changing technologies and erratic political schedules are altering the way the public interacts with elected officials. For some politicians, the new form of public participation can get them into trouble.

August 14 - The New York Times

Post News

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.

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.