The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

How To Avoid A Cultural Disaster In Rebuilding New Orleans

Richard Moe, President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, weighs in on the reconstruction of New Orleans.

October 19 - The Wall Street Journal

Age Of The Big Builders

How large publicly traded builders are turning the American home into a corporate product.

October 19 - The New York Times Magazine

In D.C., Private Firms Approve Permit Applications

In a unique situation in Washington D.C., selected private firms are authorized to approve development permit applications on behalf of the city's overworked and dysfunctional Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs apartment.

October 19 - Washington City Paper

A National Stage for Duany and New Urbanism

An editorial weighs in on the impact New Urbanism pioneer Andres Duany will have in the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast, and his dubious legacy in West Palm Beach.

October 19 - Palm Beach Post

BLOG POST

Funny Employment Queries

So we're hiring for two new positions at Urban Insight (the company that supports Planetizen). We're hiring a <a href="http://www.planetizen.com/jobs/item.php?id=4126">Web Designer/Developer</a> (with preference given to candidates with backgrounds in planning), and a <a href="http://www.planetizen.com/jobs/item.php?id=4174">Web Developer / Programmer</a>. <br /> <br /> I published the job announcements to several lists and also on a few online services that I've had success with in the past. I've received a fair number of responses, and, thank goodness, and several highly-qualified candidates (although not so many with backgrounds in planning/architecture/urban esign).

October 19 - Chris Steins


Is Zoning Replacing Planning?

A new piece of legislation going before voters in New York would limit the amount of development in many low-density neighborhoods, and encourage planning over upzoning to encourage development.

October 19 - The Gotham Gazette

'Political Recall' As Slow Growth Strategy?

California's fastest growing region resorts to using the political strategy of 'recall' to slow growth.

October 18 - Los Angeles Times


Trailer Towns -- A Housing Mistake?

As shelters close, trailer towns open for storm evacuees. FEMA opens the first of many such villages for those displaced by Katrina.

October 18 - The Christian Science Monitor

City Conserves Energy, Cuts Costs, With Common Sense

City of New Haven seeks innovative, cost-effective ways to curtail municiapl energy expenses and could be a model for municipalities across the nation.

October 18 - The Christian Science Monitor

A Busway In 'America's Suburb'

Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley has outgrown it's reputation as 'America's Suburb' and become a high-density community -- now complete with its own dedicated busway, modeled after the system in Curitiba, Brazil.

October 18 - The Los Angeles Times

Homes For Salton Sea?

The Salton Sea Test Base could be used to build over 200,000 houses -- provided the area is fit for human habitation.

October 18 - The Los Angeles Times

LA's Worst Corner

In his second and third installments, columnist Steve Lopez meets the people who live and work on one of the city's worst corners on Skid Row.

October 18 - The Los Angeles Times

O'Reilly Apologizes: Only 20% of Home Builders Are Corrupt?

After calling the housing industry "corrupt" during an earlier interview with Donald Trump, O'Reilly Factor television show, Bill O'Reilly offers a nearly unprecedented apology, but still gets in a dig about the industry.

October 18 - Nation's Building News

Designing California's Second-Largest Park

At more than 2,300 acres, Orange County's new park on the site of a former marine base, will be the second-largest in California, about the size of Griffith Park in Los Angeles.

October 18 - The Los Angeles Times

Judge Rules Oregon's Measure 37 Unconstitutional

Oregon's land use laws were thrown into new controversy as a Marion County Circuit Court Judge ruled last November's property rights initiative invalid.

October 18 - The Oregonian

BLOG POST

California Updates State IT Strategic Plan

<img src='http://www.planetizen.com/tech/files//20051017castrategicplan.jpg' alt='California State Information Technology Strategic Plan' align='right' />While not strictly relevant to planning, it's always interesting to compare plans prepared by planners with plans prepared by other branches of government, in this case the California CIO and the IT Council Strategic Plan Committee have prepared the new <a href="http://www.cio.ca.gov/PDFs/101405_ITStrategicPlanUpdate.pdf">California State Information Technology Strategic Plan</a> (PDF, 220KB)<br /> <br /> The plan lists six impressive strategic goals:<br /> <br /> <li>Make Government services more accessible to citizens and State clients.<br /> </li>

October 18 - Chris Steins

A Tribute To Edmund Bacon

Edmund Bacon, Philadelphia's most influential planner, died on October 14th, leaving behind a legacy of public service.

October 18 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Social And Economic Impact Of Big Box Stores

An animated cartoon comments on economic and social impact of big box stores.

October 17 - Jib Jab

Why is New York America's Largest City?

New York has been remarkably successful and it remains the nation's premier metropolis. Edward L. Glaeser evaluates what accounts for New York's rise and continuing success in this academic discussion paper.

October 17 - Harvard University

Southern California's 'Single Most Promising Design Project'

Three design finalists have been selected for the Orange County Great Park; a debate on the merits of each ensues.

October 17 - The Los Angeles Times

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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.