The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Parks Are Good For Your Health
Researchers in Scotland have concluded that areas without parks and green space have an increased risk of death and illness.
Big Box Breakthrough in Charlotte
Lofts and ground floor retail envelop a new Lowe's store in Charlotte, forming a buffer between the large store and the surrounding Dilworth neighborhood.
How New Retail Can Revitalize Cities
Where traditional shopping malls were all about creating retail-only internal spaces, new retail developments are mixing uses and returning to the street.
Britain To Try Road Tolling By Mileage
Transportation officials in Britain have announced plans for a road pricing system that tracks drivers' mileage to determine charges.
Seeking Harmony in Chinese Planning
Effective planning creates harmonious environments, according to this piece from <em>Xinhua</em>. Most Chinese planners, the author argues, have not embraced this idea.
BLOG POST
A Very Good Example of Very Bad Transportation Performance Evaluation
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman">Some things are so very bad that they are good, for the sake of amusement and as examples to avoid. Of course, everybody makes mistakes, but some massive disasters involve so many errors by so many people that onlookers can also wonder, “What were they thinking?!”</span> </p>
Is 'Clean Coal' Really Clean?
The politicians name-checked 'clean coal' throughout the campaign. Has coal really cleaned up its act?
Traffic Hackers
Two traffic engineers in Los Angeles hacked into a traffic light control system with the intent to influence upcoming contract negotiations.
Stadium Living
A future housing development is planned next to Vancouver's GM Place Stadium. 'It’s certainly different than the livability we’ve stressed elsewhere,'says Planning Director Brent Toderian.
Is 'Planning Gain' Really A Loss?
This article looks at the concept of "planning gain" -- in which cities gain amenities as concessions for allowing big developments -- and finds that the benefits are often outweighed.
The End of Atlanta's Sprawl
The age of sprawl is ending in Atlanta, according to Christopher Leinberger, who highlights the city's move towards a more dense, walkable future.
Friday Funny: Mistranslation Ends Up on Road Sign
In Swansea, U.K., planners requested a translation via email of a road sign into Welsh. What they got back was not quite what they expected.
Board Members Need to Get on Board
Not one board member of the Metrolink in Southern California is an everyday rider. But is it so bad that these members, usually politicians, are calling the shots?
Seattle Area Voters: Yes To Transit; No To Road Measure
Puget Sound voters strongly supported Sound Transit's sales tax measure to expand public transit while Washington state voters overwhelmingly rejected an Eyeman initiative to allow solo motorists to use carpool lanes during off-peak hours.
California Voters Still Leaning Slow-Growth
Bill Fulton writes that despite the real estate downtown, the slow-growth side won most California land-use measures on Tuesday's ballot. But public transit did well.
HUD Seeks Dollar House Buyers
Desperate to sell dilapidated, foreclosed homes, as well as to lure in local governments willing to build affordable housing, the Department of Housing and Urban Development is offering those properties for just a dollar.
The 'Creative Class' Takes Over
Joel Kotkin believes that the Obama victory is a sign that the 'creative class' - as detailed by Richard Florida - is coming into power, and that traditional business will be pushed aside.
'Gold Rush' for Geothermal
Warren Buffett, Google and others are investing heavily in geothermal energy development, spurred on by state incentives for renewables and higher gas prices.
President-Elect Obama's Top Eco-Priorities
David Morris of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and Maude Barlow, Chair of the Board of Food and Water Watch lay out key priorities for an Obama Administration in terms of transportation and water policy.
BLOG POST
Live Blogging: Urban Design After the Age of Oil Symposium
I'm in philadelphia for a few days to attend the symposium "<a href="http://www.upenn.edu/penniur/afteroil/" target="_blank" title="Penn Design After Oil Conference">Re-Imagining Cities: Urban Design After the Age of Oil</a>". Along with a crew of notable writers and bloggers, I'll be writing live blog posts about the conference, all of which will be posted on the <a href="http://americancity.org/afteroil/" target="_blank" title="Next American City Design After Oil Symposium Live Blog">website of Next American City magazine</a>. Tune in to their site to follow along.<br /> <br /> This symposium has drawn hundreds of participants from around the globe to discuss the changes facing cities and communities as climate changes and resources diminish. <br />
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
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.
