The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Abu Dhabi's Green Future
<p>Despite its plentiful oil reserves, the Arabian emirate of Abu Dhabi is planning and developing some green cities that will be able to operate without the power of oil.</p>
Transportation Budget Is Billions Short In Oregon
<p>Oregon's state transportation budget is falling short of the projected demand by billions of dollars. A committee of local politicians is laying blame at the state and federal levels.</p>
Are Jerusalem's Ghost Towns A Problem To Solve?
<p>Jerusalem has an increasing number of "ghost town" neighborhoods, where tourist housing has left areas empty for much of the year. This article looks at the proposed solution to this problem, and wonders whether there is even a problem at all.</p>
'Clean Coal' Devastating the Appalachias
<p>While coal industry lobbyists promote "clean coal", scientists argue that such technology is years away. Meanwhile, the mountains of West Virginia are being leveled with devastating consequences for the environment and for neighboring communities.</p>
Most Hated Transit System
<p>The new public transit system in Santiago, Chile, is having implementation troubles, and it's leaving many commuters upset.</p>
New Car 'Carbon Fee/Rebate' Takes Effect In France
<p>Come January 1, new car buyers in France may be charged a hefty carbon fee, or conversely, receive a carbon rebate, depending upon the emissions of the vehicle they purchase. The fee/rebate is strikingly similar to a twice-failed California bill.</p>
Friday Funny: Payback For The Parking Czar
<p>The head of traffic and parking enforcement in Rome, Italy was fired after parking illegally using a fraudulent handicapped permit.</p>
Urban Issues? No Comment
<p>With all the presidential debates going on this election season, not once have urban issues come up.</p>
Downtown Park Plan Will Require Much Cooperation In Atlanta
<p>Plans have just been announced for a large park space in Atlanta, circled by pedestrian friendly developments, including 5,000 units of housing and mixed use developments. But making it happen will require a lot of cooperation.</p>
Surging Subways
<p>Subway construction and expansion is being seen in cities across the world.</p>
BLOG POST
The Party Train
<p><img style="width: 200px; height: 150px; float: right" src="/files/u2/20071214-toy-train.jpg" alt="Toy train" title="Toy train" hspace="30" vspace="2" width="200" height="150" align="right" />Metrolink is Southern California's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrolink_%28Southern_California%29">regional rail</a> system linking several counties. The 15-year old system with 7 lines, 54 stations, and 388 route miles serves over 40,000 passengers in the Southland. <a href="http://www.metrolinktrains.com/about/">Metrolink</a> says its mission is "to provide the people of Southern California safe, reliable and environmentally friendly commute option." Sure, but can it also serve as an interesting venue to host a 4-year old's birthday party?</p> <p>One birthday boy in particular loves trains and is a fan of a popular <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_the_Tank_Engine_and_Friends">TV series</a> featuring trains. His mother told me that their family trips were often planned around using rail transit to get to destinations in Central and Southern California. So what better way to celebrate his birthday than to invite his friends -- accompanied by parents of course -- for a trip on a commuter train? Children that age are probably more used to birthday parties where they are entertained by clowns or magicians. Would these children, growing up in Southern California's car-centric culture be entertained at a party where the view through a train window was the main attraction? </p>
Streetcars Roll In Seattle
<p>Seattle's long-planned South Lake Union streetcar officially began operations Wednesday.</p>
Las Vegas Goes Green
<p>Various projects in Las Vegas are including environmentally-friendly elements, signaling a shift amongst the city's development community.</p>
NOLA Public Housing Demolished
<p>Despite protests, thousands of public housing units in New Orleans are being demolished.</p>
City of Lighting
<p>The urban lighting artist responsible for illuminating hundreds of Parisian landmarks tackles one last challenge before retiring: the Notre Dame Cathedral.</p>
Business Carbon Tax Proposed In San Francisco
<p>A ballot measure aimed for November 2008 will ask San Francisco voters to raise the commercial utilities tax and lower the city's payroll tax in an effort to reduce energy usage, increase use of public transit, and increase recycling.</p>
Columbia Says Expansion Will Not Require Evictions
<p>Officials at New York's Comubia University have vowed that they would not use eminent domain or evict any tenants as they move forward with their 25-year expansion plan.</p>
Housing Demolitions Spark Protests In New Orleans
<p>Plans to demolish about 4,500 units of public housing in New Orleans have angered many in the city and inspired a string of protests.</p>
Planners And Developers Have Grand Visions For Empty Land in L.A.
<p>Planning has begun for a 400-acre plot of land near downtown Los Angeles, and expectations are high.</p>
Chicken Ban Considered in Chicago
<p>Chicago city officials have proposed a ban that would forbid residents from keeping chickens.</p>
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
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.
