The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

<p>Quebec is notorious for its lavish subsidies designed to lure business. But with transparent accounting and a cost-benefit ratio of 3.74 to 1, the province's economic development agency makes sure taxpayers know what they are getting for their money.</p>

May 14 - New Brunswick Business Journal

<p>Planners in Arlington, Virginia want to allow rental units in single family neighborhoods, but residents are strongly opposed to the proposal, many of them worried that the units will attract low-income immigrants.</p>

May 14 - The Washington Post

<p>Architects in Baltimore are arguing that the city should build its new arena near its other sports facilities, freeing up the old location for redevelopment that can help revitalize its downtown.</p>

May 14 - The Baltimore Sun

<p>After an avalanche drastically cut the supply of electricity, residents the Alaskan capital of Juneau cut their power consumption by almost 40 percent in a few weeks. Now the city is gaining attention as a leader in energy conservation.</p>

May 14 - The New York Times

<p>North Carolina bills itself as the "good growth state." But as North Carolina's population heads toward 10 million, the state's low-density pattern of development is straining the infrastructure.</p>

May 14 - California Planning & Development Report

<p>Rising gas prices are pushing more and more Oregon drivers out of their cars. High public transit ridership figures and a reduction in vehicle-miles traveled suggest former drivers are now using transit instead of driving.</p>

May 14 - The Oregonian

<p>This article from <em>Grist</em> looks at the city of Phoenix as it teams with Arizona State University to shift the city's direction from endless sprawl to a smarter, more environmentally-conscious growth pattern.</p>

May 14 - Grist

<p>This article from <em>Governing</em> looks at the role of higher education and medical facilities in keeping urban areas alive.</p>

May 14 - Governing

<p>The city of Omaha, Nebraska, has announced plans to build a network of bike lanes throughout the city, boosted by private contributions of more than $600,000.</p>

May 14 - KETV

<p>With high foreclosure rates and growing numbers of residents delinquent with their dues, many homeowners associations are having a hard time paying for repairs and amenities.</p>

May 14 - The Wall Street Journal

<p>The automaker has announced plans for a fully-electric vehicle by 2010, and says it wants to lead the industry towards zero-emission vehicles.</p>

May 13 - The New York Times

<p>A New Jersey town along the one of the state's light rail line has rejected a plan for adding new mixed-use residential to its downtown, for fear of new development threatening its main street's historic character.</p>

May 13 - Streetsblog

<p>Celebrated for its livability and character, the city is increasingly unaffordable to the very people who gave Seattle its funky vibe.</p>

May 13 - The Seattle Times

<p>Plenty of quality parks -- along with good weather to enjoy them -- gives these cities the edge when it comes to outdoor enjoyment. San Francisco, which spends the most per capita on parks, ranks first.</p>

May 13 - Forbes

<p>After personally taking up cycling and seeing the city's poor reputation among cyclists firsthand, Mayor Thomas Menino is leading a campaign to make Boston a more bicycle-friendly city.</p>

May 13 - The Boston Globe

BLOG POST

<p> &quot;Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard Amtrak Train 715. We&#39;re expecting a smooth ride today and should be moving along right on time,&quot; said the voice of the train conductor over the loudspeaker. He then continued, &quot;And thanks for joining us for National Train Day&quot;. The loudspeaker then turned off, and was followed instantly by the voice of an incredulous woman a few rows behind who said &quot;What?&quot;

May 13 - Nate Berg

<p>The northern California city of Vallejo has declared bankruptcy, becoming one of few cities and the largest in the state to do so. Other struggling cities are watching closely to see if the strategy helps to save the city.</p>

May 13 - The San Francisco Chronicle

<p>Pubilc art should be guided by public input, according to this commentary.</p>

May 13 - The Guardian

BLOG POST

<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> <p> Some commentators argue that sprawl is an inevitable result of affluence, based on European development patterns. These pundits tell a simple story: European urban cores are losing population and becoming more automobile-dependent - just like American cities. So if Europe can’t beat sprawl, neither can America. </p>

May 13 - Michael Lewyn

<p>Homebuilders have been removed from the language of a transportation funding bill that would have required developers to pay for new roads.</p>

May 13 - Arizona Daily Star