The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Paris today made its first use of a drastic plan to improve air quality in the city: ban half of the cars on the road. The ban could continue tomorrow if the current air pollution alert does not improve.

March 23 - The Independent

Bike advocates are concerned that after a "banner year" for bike infrastructure in the nation’s capital, the momentum for bike infrastructure is waning rather than building. How much do these kinds of missed opportunities cost?

March 22 - WAMU

Despite only applying to Federal lands where a small amount of fracking takes place, energy companies are strongly opposed, perhaps fearing that states without fracking rules could adopt them, which is one of the goals of the Interior Department.

March 22 - The Wall Street Journal

At the edge of the Great Plains, Denver would seem to have plenty of room for everything, including parking. But a development boom in downtown Denver has reduced the number of parking lots, and the city is learning to evolve.

March 22 - The Denver Post

The narrative about the full recovery of the real estate market from the housing market crash of 2008 is only true in some parts of the country. In fact, an increasing number of homeowners owe more than their homes are worth.

March 22 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

The $2.50 subway fare is set to rise by a quarter, but will service improve? This New York Times article focuses on problems plaguing the 110-year-old New York subway (second oldest after Boston's), but fares are increasing for all MTA services.

March 22 - The New York Times

An intrepid developer has combined the powers of OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia, and Spotify to map 7,681 songs about 212 cities across the globe.

March 21 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

An op-ed by David Heymann produces an elaborate, protracted metaphor of Austin as a former youthful "golden child" now showing the least attractive possible traits of middle age.

March 21 - Houston Chronicle

These are two similar lawsuits by environmental groups, one aimed at San Diego County, the other at the San Diego MPO, both based on CEQA and one also on SB 375. Enviros won both of them but only one will be heard by the California Supreme Court.

March 21 - U-T San Diego

California's Department of Parks and Recreation is getting into the app business. It is hoped that CaliParks will help improve access to the state's parks for young people and minorities.

March 21 - The Bold Italic

The capital of West Virginia has hired Alta Planning and Design to undertake a ten-month process to update the city's bike and trail plan.

March 21 - The Charleston Gazette

Looking for evidence of the new world order? Here's some from New York City: Uber cars now outnumber yellow-cabs.

March 20 - New York Post

The Idaho Trucking Association wants to reduce the state's $262 million road and bridge maintenance shortfall by passing a six-cent increase in the fuel tax over three years. The AAA opposes it because most of the bill will fall on motorists.

March 20 - Idaho Press-Tribune

Houston isn't freezing over. But, after decades of unbridled, un-zoned development, a new mayor, new planning director, and a raft of civic activists are promoting a general plan for the famously laissez-faire city.

March 20 - The Architect's Newspaper

Ahead of a February 2016 deadline for an environmental impact statement, residents are making their opinions known about the potential routes for a proposed light rail line connecting Durham and Chapel Hill.

March 20 - The News & Observer

An article in Governing thoroughly examines the historic and contemporary efforts of planning in Utah—especially the success of the Envision Utah planning process.

March 20 - Governing

A vision concept called the Brooklyn Strand would create a more integrated and connected system of pedestrian and green spaces. Can local stakeholders convince the city to support the project?

March 20 - Brownstoner

Public health analysts and justice activists are tackling food deserts in a state known for its agricultural output. Low-income neighborhoods of color are the hardest hit by a lack of grocery options.

March 20 - Pacific Standard

By virtue of super small blocks, San Diego's downtown has more space dedicated to cars than most cities. That's about to change. San Diego urban design activist Bill Keller explains how they’ll do it.

March 20 - UrbDeZine

An addiction to spectacle and fad, says Peter Buchanan, has set architecture adrift in a sea of meaningless forms. And real design problems go ignored.

March 20 - The Architectural Review